How do you solve the equation |x+a|=b?

1 Answer
smendyka
Aug 24, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Assuming solving the equation for x:

The absolute value function takes any term and transforms it to its non-negative form. Therefore, we must solve the term within the absolute value function for both its negative and positive equivalent.

Solution 1:

x+a=−b

x+a−a=−b−a

x+0=−b−a

x=−b−a

Solution 2:

x+a=b

x+a−a=b−a

x+0=b−a

x=b−a

The Solutions Are:

x=−b−a and x=b−a

Or

x=±b−a

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