(Part of math unit test) - Absolute value equations

Absolute value equation

An equation that contains a variable expression inside absolute value bars

Extraneous solution

A solution of an equation that emerges from the process of solving the problem, but is not a valid solution to the problem

What is absolute value sometimes called?

Magnitude

How do you begin solving an absolute value equation that results in two solutions?

By isolating the absolute value expression

What do you do after the expression is isolated in an absolute value equation?

• You write and solve two separate equations without the absolute value bars:

  • One equation is equal to the distance in a positive direction and one equation is equal to the distance in a negative direction

• Ex. x - 2 = 3 and x - 2 = -3

What is the absolute value equation?

| ax + b | = k

In the absolute value equation, when k > 0, the equation has ____ solution(s)

two

In the absolute value equation, when k < 0, the equation has ____ solution(s)

no