Simple absolute value problem?

I'm not really sure how to answer

|x+1| + |x-1| = 3

thing is, it's easy when you have one absolute value, but i get confused when I see two. I'd just like the answer and a brief process.

thanks!

Ron W2008-09-08T15:00:18Z

Favorite Answer

Determine the value(s) of x at which each of the absolute values is zero, then use that to divide the real line into pieces. In this case, the zeros of the absolute values occur at x = -1 and x = 1. These divide the real line into three pieces: x < -1, -1 ≤ x ≤ 1, and x > 1

Consider each region separately.

x < -1: in this region, |x+1| = -(x+1) and |x-1| = -(x-1). Put these into the equation:

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

-1 ≤ x ≤ 1: in this region, |x+1| = x+1 and |x-1| = -(x-1). Put these into the equation:

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

Therefore, there is no solution in this region.

x > 1: in this region, |x+1| = x+1 and |x-1| = x-1. Put these into the equation:

x + 1 + x - 1 = 3
2x = 3
x = 3/2

?2016-12-15T16:07:37Z

a. because of the fact the answer to a minimum of something taken out of absolute fee could be postive, there is no answer to this subject b. 2|x| = 2 (Divide the two components by skill of two) |x| = a million x= -a million and x=a million (the two solutions could be x becase the abs(-a million) = a million and abs(a million)=a million c. 2|x| - 4 = 0 (upload 4 to the two components) 2|x| = 4 (Divide by skill of two on the two components) |x| = 2 x = 2 and x = -2

gfxboy212008-09-08T14:54:21Z

|2x| = 3

x = 3/2