How do you solve #abs(p+3)=9.5#?

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Aug 1, 2015

#p = 6.5# or #p=-12.5#

Explanation:

Your absolute value equation looks like this

#|p + 3| = 9.5#

This equation can produce 2 values for #p#, depending on which condition is true

  • If #(p+3)<0#, you have

#|p+3| = -(p+3) = -p - 3 = 9.5#

This will get you

#p = - 3 - 9.5 = color(green)(-12.5)#

  • If #(p+3)>0#, you have

#|p+3| = p+3 = 9.5#

This time,

#p = 9.5 - 3 = color(green)(6.5)#

Related questions
See all questions in Absolute Value Equations
Impact of this question
1369 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License