The absolute value function |<em>x</em>| always returns a non-negative number. It takes any number <em>x</em> and returns <em>x</em> if it's already non-negative, or -<em>x</em> if it is negative in order to make it positive.
For the equation
-3 + 4 |2<em>x</em> - 5| = 14
rearrange terms to get
|2<em>x</em> - 5| = 17/4
Now,
• if 2<em>x</em> - 5 ≥ 0, then |2<em>x</em> - 5| = 2<em>x</em> - 5. Then
2<em>x</em> - 5 = 17/4
• and if instead 2<em>x</em> - 5 < 0, then |2<em>x</em> - 5| = -(2<em>x</em> - 5), so that
-(2<em>x</em> - 5) = 17/4, or
2<em>x</em> - 5 = -17/4
In the first case,
2<em>x</em> - 5 = 17/4
2<em>x</em> = 17/4 + 5 = 37/4
<em>x</em> = 37/8
In the second case,
2<em>x</em> - 5 = -17/4
2<em>x</em> = -17/4 + 5 = 3/4
<em>x</em> = 3/8
Answer:
- Powers of the variable descending left to right
- right side of the equal sign is 0
Step-by-step explanation:
For some constants a, b, and c, the standard form* is ...
ax^2 + bx + c = 0
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It is nice if the leading coefficient (a) is positive, but that is not required.
The main ideas are that ...
- Powers of the variable are descending
- All of the non-zero terms are on the left side of the equal sign
- Like terms are combined
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* This is the <em>standard form</em> for a quadratic. For other kinds of equations, when the expression is equal to zero, this would be called "general form."
No 5/8 is bigger because half of 8 is 4 and 5 is greater than 4
For this case, we have the following expression:
We simplify the expression:
If we add similar terms, taking into account that different signs are subtracted and the sign of the greater one is placed, we have that 
So, we have to:
Answer:
-3x + x + 5 = -2x + 5
In order to reduce ANY fraction to lowest terms, find any common factors
of the numerator and denominator, and divide them both by it. If they still
have a common factor, then divide them by it again. Eventually, they won't
have any common factor except ' 1 ', and then you'll know that the fraction is
in lowest terms.
Do 15 and 40 have any common factors ?
Let's see . . .
The factors of 15 are 1, 3, <em>5</em>, and 15 .
The factors of 40 are 1, 2, 4,<em> 5</em>, 8, 10, 20, and 40 .
Ah hah ! Do you see that ' <em>5</em> ' on both lists ? That's a common factor.
So 15/40 is NOT in lowest terms.
Divide the numerator and denominator both by 5 :
15 / 40 =<em> 3 / 8</em>
3 and 8 don't have any common factor except ' 1 '.
So 3/8 is the same number as 15/40, but in lowest terms.
