MathAlgebraMedium frequency
SAT Math: Absolute Value Equations
21+ practice questions in Praczo
What you need to know
The concept, explained
- 1
|A| = b means A = b OR A = −b (when b ≥ 0). Split into two separate equations.
- 2
First isolate the absolute value expression before splitting into two cases.
- 3
If |A| = negative number, there is no solution (absolute value is never negative).
- 4
Always check solutions in the original equation.
- 5
Absolute value inequalities: |A| < b means −b < A < b; |A| > b means A > b OR A < −b.
Common mistakes
- ✗ Only considering the positive case and forgetting to solve A = −b.
- ✗ Setting |A| = b to A = b and A = −b before isolating the absolute value, which creates errors when there are other terms outside.
Try a sample question
SAT-style practice
How many solutions does |2x − 4| = 6 have?
21+ questions ready to practice
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