1-4, 1-6 Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Absolute value: distance from zero on a number line. Since distance in a nonnegative, the absolute value of a number is always positive. The symbol lxi is used to represent the absolute value of a number x. I units 4 units I I I I 1 I 3 4 5 Solving Absolute Value Equations: For any real numbers a and b, where b ~! 0, if Jal = then a = b or ?a = b. The second case is often written as a = ?b. Steps 1. Isolate the Absolute Value expression 2. Rewrite equation without the I I symbols. a. One with positive answer b. One with negative answer Ex 1: Jx-51=7 x-c3- ?t-3 k'3 + 3. Solve each equation '7 2\: flL1 - '7 I 2 - \ - 4. Check your answers (plug back into I T