How do you solve #|3- 7x | \leq 10#?

1 Answer
Apr 23, 2017

See the solution process below:

Explanation:

The absolute value function takes any negative or positive term and transforms it to its positive form. Therefore, we must solve the term within the absolute value function for both its negative and positive equivalent.

#-10 <= 3 - 7x <= 10#

First, subtract #color(red)(3)# from each segment of the system of equations to isolate the #x# term while keeping the system balanced:

#-color(red)(3) - 10 <= -color(red)(3) + 3 - 7x <= -color(red)(3) + 10#

#-13 <= 0 - 7x <= 7#

#-13 <= -7x <= 7#

Now, divide each segment by #color(blue)(-7)# to solve for #x# while keeping the system balanced. However, because we are multiplying or dividing inequalities by a negative term we must reverse the inequality operators:

#(-13)/color(blue)(-7) color(red)(>=) (-7x)/color(blue)(-7) color(red)(>=) 7/color(blue)(-7)#

#13/7 color(red)(>=) (color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(-7)))x)/cancel(color(blue)(-7)) color(red)(>=) -1#

#13/7 >= x >= -1#

Or

#x >= -1# and #x < 13/7#

Or

#[-1, 13/7]#