Question

How do you solve `500= | q - 200|`?

Answer 1

`q=-300` or `q=700`

Explanation:

`|x|` stands for absolute value of `x`, which is the numerical value of `x` sans its sign. So while the absolute value of `45` is `45`, absolute value of `|-45|` too is `45`.

In shot if `x` is positive `|x|=x`, but if `x` is negative `|x|=-x`.

Thus while `45|=45`, `|-45|=-(-45)=45`.

Hence, as we have `500=|q-200|`

either `500=q-200`

i.e. `500+200=q` i.e. `q=700`

or `500=-(q-200)`

i.e. `500=-q+200` i.e. `q=200-500=-300`

`.:q=-300` or `q=700`.