How do you solve # abs[11x/3 -4] = 0#?

1 Answer
Sep 5, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

The absolute value function takes any negative or positive term and transforms it to its positive form. Therefore, we must solve the term within the absolute value function for both its negative and positive equivalent. However, because #-0# equals #0# we can just solve the term within the absolute value function once for #0#:

#11x/3 - 4 = 0#

First, add #color(red)(4)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#11x/3 - 4 + color(red)(4) = 0 + color(red)(4)#

#11x/3 - 0 = 4#

#11x/3 = 4#

Now, multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(3)/color(blue)(11)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(red)(3)/color(blue)(11) xx 11x/3 = color(red)(3)/color(blue)(11) xx 4#

#cancel(color(red)(3))/cancel(color(blue)(11)) xx color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(11)))x/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3))) = 12/11#

#x = 12/11#