Question

Find what x equals: |3x–1|=4

Answer 1

x=1 2/3,x=-1

Explanation:

There are two solutions. In the first solution, 3x=4-1=4 so x=1 2/3

The second solution is when 3x-1 equals negative 4 but because of the absolute value, is positive 4. In this case, it would be x=-1

Answer 2

x = 5/3 x = -1

Explanation:

|3x–1|=4

The solution to an absolute value equation has a positive and a negative solution

3x-1 =4 3x-1 = -4

Add 1 to each side

3x-1+1 = 4+1 3x-1+1 = -4+1

3x =5 3x = -3

Divide by 3

3x/3 = 5/3 3x/3 = -3/3

x = 5/3 x = -1