Abs. Value Equation

Free interactive math game: Abs. Value Equation — |x−3| = 5. Part of the Absolute Value category on MathKite.

Example problems

Taken from the generator that powers this exercise. A fresh set appears every time the page is opened, and the printable worksheet holds ten of them.

  1. |x + 2| = 6 What are the solutions?
  2. |x − 1| = 2 What are the solutions?
  3. |x + 2| = 5 What are the solutions?
  4. |x − 2| = 6 What are the solutions?

About this exercise

Equations where the unknown sits inside absolute-value bars.

How to solve it

Two values are the same distance from zero, so split into a positive case and a negative case and solve both.

Worked example

If the absolute value of x is 7, then x is 7 or x is -7.

Common mistake

Giving only one answer. Unless the value is zero, there are always two solutions.