Question

solve |2x - 1| = 8

Answer 1

To solve an equation of this type, an expression in absolute value signs equals a number follow these steps:
1. Separate it into two equations connceted by the word "or."
2. The first equation is simply obtained by dropping the absolute signs.
3. The second equation is obtained by writing the negative of what is in absolute value signs equals the number.
4. Solve each equation and give both results separated by word "or."
So |2x - 1| = 8 becomes:
2x - 1 = 8 or -(2x -1) = 8
Now solve each equation
2x = 9 or -2x + 1 = 8
x = 9/2 or -2x = 7
x = 9/2 or x = -7/2