Help? I'm confused! How do I solve?

|k+3|=6

|k-3|=6

Question

Help?  I'm confused!  How do I solve?

|k+3|=6

|k-3|=6

anonymous · Answer

For solving absolute values, recall that:

$$|a| = b \implies a = b \text{ or } a = -b$$

saifoo.khan · Answer

|k + 3| 

this MOD means that a variable will have 2 suspected values, it can be -ve or a +ve.

anonymous · Answer

So you just have to solve those two equations, and the union of the two solutions will be the solution set to the original

anonymous · Answer

k+3 = 6  or  k+3 = -6  (using your first equation as an example)

anonymous · Answer

But how do i do it?  do i subtract 3 from the first question?

anonymous · Answer

can you show me step by step for question number 1?

anonymous · Answer

No. You convert it to the two equations I have above, then solve each one separately. The solutions to the original equation will be the union of these two new equations.

anonymous · Answer

\begin{array}{ccc}k+3 = 6 & \text{ or } & k + 3 = -6\end{array}
$$\implies \begin{array}{ccc}k= 3 & \text{ or } & k = -9\end{array}$$

anonymous · Answer

OH!  I understand now!  Thank You both!

anonymous · Answer

Either one of those two solutions will satisfy your original:

|3+3| = 6
|-9 + 3| = 6