• face Refresh On Absolute Value

  Absolute Value is the distance from zero a number has; Absoulute Value bars look like this ||. If you have a number inside them, then that numeber, no matter if it is negative, turns positive. Here is an example: |6| = 6, |-6| = 6. If there is a negative sign outside then the result is negative. Here is what I mean: -|300| = -300. Once you solve inside the bars, then the negative is attached.

How to solve Absolute Value equations

To solve an absolute value equation you have to break it into 2 parts, one side equaling a negative, and other positive. Doing this gets rid of the absolute value bars.

$
First we will solve positive twenty, then negative twenty.
2x-4=20
 +4 on both sides
2x=20
Divide by 2 on both sides
x=10
$

If you have any questions remember to comment them below!

Now let’s solve for -20

$

2x-4=-20

+4     +4 
Add 4 on both sides

2x=-16
2/2x=-16/2
Divide by 2 on both sides

x=-8
$

Finally, we solved both for negative and positive our answers are: x=-8 and x=10.

Try practicing more questions below!

Practice Problems

Format: Add one of the answers.