Question

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

|k+3|=6

|k-3|=6

Answer 1

For solving absolute values, recall that:

\[|a| = b \implies a = b \text{ or } a = -b\]

Answer 2

|k + 3|

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

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

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

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

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

Answer 9

OH! I understand now! Thank You both!

Answer 10

Either one of those two solutions will satisfy your original:

|3+3| = 6
|-9 + 3| = 6