How do you solve #abs(k-5)=4#?

1 Answer
Douglas K.
Aug 21, 2017

Given: #abs(k-5)=4#

You can break the above equation into two equations without the absolute value function, one where the right side is positive, and the other where the right side is negative:

#k-5 = 4 and k - 5 = -4#

Add 5 to both sides of both equations:

#k = 9 and k = 1#

Check #k =9#

#|9 - 5| = 4#

#|4| = 4#

#4 = 4#

Check k = 1:

#|1-5| = 4#

#|-4| = 4#

#4 = 4#

Both values check.

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