1.

3 Solving Absolute Value Equations

To the video!

Recall:
3 = 3

Write your questions

and thoughts here!

The absolute value of a number is the _distance

___________ the number
is from _0_______ on a _number
________________.
line

Solve = 3 3

Solve = 3

negative
Absolute Value can never = _be
_____________________________

Solving an Absolute Value Equation

Let , , and be constants and > 0.

If + =
then
+ = or + =
Algebra I
Section 7.4

Sully's Super Steps for Solving Abs Vals

1) Leftside y1 right side y2
(Solve for the Abs Value)
2) 2nd trace #5

(Write two equations)

3) Enter 3x
Solve. Write non-integer answers in fractional form.
1.

!!
!

!!
!"

x=2(1/3)
x=-2(1/3)

4.

5 2 = 15

x=-5
x=10

2.

!
!

x=16
x=-20

+ 2 = 6

3. 2 9 = 13
No Solution

5. 3 + 5 3 = 4
x=(2/3)
x=-4

1.3 Solving Absolute Value Equations

Write your questions

and thoughts here!

6. 6 5 + 5 = 30

No solution

You Try!

+4 =2

9. 5 + 3 5 1 = 2

x=-2
x=-6

No Solution

10. 5 3 1 4 = 44
No Solution

12.

8 + 2 + 1 = 21

7.

x=0
x=-2

8.

11.

!
!
!!
!
!"

20 =

!"

!"
!!"

no solution

Michael Jordan averaged 37 points per game in 1987. Suppose in one

game MJ was 12 points from this average. What possible point totals
could Jordan have scored? Write and solve an absolute value equation to
answer the question.
He could have scored either 25 or 49

/X+12/=37

a. 2 = 0

GRAPH

b. y-intercept = 0

ALGEBRA SKILLZ!
SIMPLIFY
Algebra I
Section 12.1
Simplify the radical
a. 80

SOLVE
Solve for x.
Hint: Use the LCM
!
!!
!!
a. + =
!

!"

x=1
c. = 4
when x = 2
d. x-intercept(s) =
2, 0, -1

4 square roots of 5
b. 3 64
24

FACTOR
b. ! + 20 + 19
(x+1)(x+19)


Three of these equations have no solution!

1.3 Practice - Absolute Value Equations

Solve each equation. Write non-integer answers in fractional form.

1) n

2) m

No solution!

3)

x=+/-.75

5) r

x=-4.5
x=1

7) r
x=-10
x=-2

9) n
No solution

x=+ or - 10

4)

x=+/-.75

6) x

x=2
x=-2

8) x
No solution

10) a
x=-4
x=5

Worksheet by Kuta Software LLC

11)

12)

3 1 7 + 9 = 96

v=3
or
v=-2

x=4
x=-4.3

13)

9 2 + 1 + 1 = 46

14)

6 + 2 1 = 1

x=3

8 10 5 = 120
x=+ or - 2

1.3 Application and Extension

1.

Find the value of m:

!
!

=
!

2.

x=+/- 1.25

Solve.

4 1 + 3 = 12

no solution

SAT PREP
MULITPLE CHOICE
If x = k, where x and k are integers, which of the
following could be the value of k?
2

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

3
6
9
12
15

GRID IN
For what integer value is
3 + 5 > 11 and 3 < 1?
2<x<4
3

The answer is 9
3x>6
x<4


3.
The average temperature in Baumholder is usually within 5 degrees of Kaiserslautern. Suppose
the average temperature in March was 38 F in Kaiserslautern. Write and solve an absolute value
equation to find the possible average temperatures in Baumholder for March. Yes- you must write the
equation!






4.
Before going to bed, Sully usually spends 15 minutes listening to Mariah Carey. This time varied

by 20 minutes last night.

a.
Write and solve an absolute value equation to find the possible amount of time Sully spent
listening to Mariah last night.



b.
Usually, absolute value equations have two answers. In this problem, can we tell which one
is correct?

We can tell the 35 minutes one is correct because you can't have negative

time.


Match each absolute value function to its graph:

4
1
a. =


a.___________

c. ___________

b. = 5

c. = 5 + 2
d. = + 2





Explain how you
found your answer:


We entered the
problems into a
calculator into Y1
and Y2 and then
went
to graph and saw
the
matching ones.

3
b.___________

d.

2
___________

1.

2.

3.

4.