Question

The balance of Jason's checking account is $480. The balance varies by as much as $80 each week

Use an absolute value inequality to find the range of possible balances in Jason's checking account

Answer 1

The balance can vary between $400 and $560

Explanation:

The actual balance of Jason's checking account is $480.

Any funds coming in or out of the account is represented by the variable x.

The possible balances in the account can be represented by:

480+x

where x is positive if funds are coming in, or negative if funds are going out.

This variation cannot be more than $80. The inequality representing the situation is:

| x | ≤ 80

Recall if |A| ≤ B, then

-B ≤ A ≤ B

Applying to the inequality:

-80 ≤ x ≤ 80

Adding 480:

480-80 ≤ 480 + x ≤ 480 + 80

400 ≤ 480 + x ≤ 560

The balance can vary between $400 and $560