How do you solve # 3| 2x - 2| + 6= 18#?

1 Answer
Jul 30, 2017

Use the definition #|A| = {(A;A>=0),(-A;A<0):} # to break the equation into two equations:

Explanation:

Given: #3| 2x - 2| + 6= 18#

Subtract 6 from both sides:

#3| 2x - 2|= 12#

Divide both sides by 3:

#| 2x - 2|= 4#

Use the definition #|A| = {(A;A>=0),(-A;A<0):} # to break the above into two equations:

# 2x - 2= 4; 2x-2>=0# and #-(2x-2)=4; 2x-2 < 0#

Simplify the domain restrictions:

# 2x - 2= 4; 2x>=2# and #-(2x-2)=4; 2x < 2#

# 2x - 2= 4; x>=1# and #-(2x-2)=4; x < 1#

Solve the equations:

# 2x= 6; x>=1# and #2x-2=-4; x < 1#

# x= 3; x>=1# and #2x=-2; x < 1#

# x= 3; x>=1# and #x=-1; x < 1#

We can drop the domain restrictions because they are not violated:

# x= 3# and #x=-1#

Check:

#3| 2(3) - 2| + 6= 18# and #3| 2(-1) - 2| + 6= 18#

#3|4| + 6= 18# and #3| -4| + 6= 18#

#12 + 6= 18# and #12 + 6= 18#

This checks.