How do you solve #-3| a - 1| = - 15#?
2 Answers
-4 and 6.
Explanation:
Start by isolating the absolute value (it contains the variable you're solving for, a.)
Dividing both sides by -3 we get |a-1| = 5
Then, split this into two parts:
and
Solve for a in both of those, and you should have your answers.
The reason we split it into two equations to remove the absolute value symbols is because those symbols make a negative number positive. If the variable inside is negative, it will be made positive. This must be reflected when we're solving an equation like this.
For example,
But
Now imagine if a variable a was in those bars.
Hope this makes sense.
are the required solutions.
Explanation:
Divide both sides by
Simplify:
For an absolute value equation, there are two solutions.
That's it!