229k views
4 votes
Solve the following equation |2x+3|+|x-2|=6x

1 Answer

1 vote

Recall the definition of absolute value:

• |x| = x if x ≥ 0

• |x| = -x if x < 0

So you need to consider 4 different cases (2 absolute value expressions with 2 possible cases each).

(i) Suppose 2x + 3 < 0 and x - 2 < 0. The first inequality says x < -3/2 and the second says x < 2, so ultimately x < -3/2. Then

|2x + 3| + |x - 2| = 6x

-(2x + 3) - (x - 2) = 6x

-2x - 3 - x + 2 = 6x

-3x - 1 = 6x

9x = -1

x = -1/9

But -1/9 is not smaller than -3/2, so this case provides no valid solution.

(ii) Suppose 2x + 3 ≥ 0 and x - 2 < 0. Then x ≥ -3/2 and x < 2, or -3/2 ≤ x < 2. Under this condition,

|2x + 3| + |x - 2| = 6x

(2x + 3) - (x - 2) = 6x

2x + 3 - x + 2 = 6x

x + 5 = 6x

5x = 5

x = 1

This solution is valid because it does fall in the interval -3/2 ≤ x < 2.

(iii) Suppose 2x + 3 < 0 and x - 2 ≥ 0. Then x < -3/2 or x ≥ 2. So

|2x + 3| + |x - 2| = 6x

-(2x + 3) + (x - 2) = 6x

-2x - 3 + x - 2 = 6x

-x - 5 = 6x

7x = -5

x = -5/7

This isn't a valid solution, because neither -5/7 < -3/2 nor -5/7 ≥ 2 are true.

(iv) Suppose 2x + 3 ≥ 0 and x - 2 ≥ 0. Then x ≥ -3/2 and x ≥ 2, or simply x ≥ 2.

|2x + 3| + |x - 2| = 6x

(2x + 3) + (x - 2) = 6x

2x + 3 + x - 2 = 6x

3x + 1 = 6x

3x = 1

x = 1/3

This is yet another invalid solution since 1/3 is smaller than 2.

So there is one solution at x = 1.

User Imari
by
8.3k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories