How do you solve #|x - 10| = 20#?

1 Answer
Jim G.
Dec 14, 2016

#x=30" or " x=-10#

Explanation:

The #color(blue)"absolute value"# is always positive. This is because it gives a measure of how far a value is from zero, irrespective of it's sign.

#"That is " |-4|=|4|=4#

#rArr|x-10|=20" has 2 solutions"#

#x-10=20color(red)" or " -(x-10)=20#

#• x-10=20rArrx=30color(red)" or"#

#•-x+10=20rArr-x=10rArrx=-10#

#color(blue)"As a check"#

#|30-10|=|20|=20" and " |-10-10|=|-20|=20#

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