Algebra: Chapter 3-8 (p 145)
Solving Equations Involving Absolute Value
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line. Remember that the absolute value is always positive. Treat absolute value equations just like those without absolute value and then solve them as normal. At the VERY END, put the absolute value symbols back in and see if the answer has ANOTHER solution.
Remember too, that we cannot have an absolute value be NEGATIVE. In these cases, there is NO SOLUTION.
This is a good purplemath.com link with examples.
Intro to Algebra: Chapter 2-7 (p 89)
Using the Distributive Property
The distributive property of multiplication over addition and subtraction is:
`a(b+c)=ab+ac` and a`(b−c)=ab−ac`
You can also combine LIKE TERMS ONLY IF THE VARIABLE AND THE EXPONENT OF THE VARIABLE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME! Going backwards, we can use the distributive property to factor an expression.
`ab + ac = a(b + c)` and `ab – ac = a(b – c)`
Here is a link about the distributive property with more examples.