Question
Solve the absolute value equation. \[ |2 x-7|=14 \]
Ask by Wheeler Cummings. in the United States
Jan 29,2025
Real Tutor Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The solutions are \( x = 10.5 \) and \( x = -3.5 \).
Solution
To solve the absolute value equation:
\[
|2x - 7| = 14
\]
We need to consider two scenarios because the absolute value of a number is its distance from zero, which means it can be positive or negative.
### Scenario 1: \(2x - 7 = 14\)
1. **Add 7 to both sides:**
\[
2x = 21
\]
2. **Divide both sides by 2:**
\[
x = \frac{21}{2} \quad \text{or} \quad x = 10.5
\]
### Scenario 2: \(2x - 7 = -14\)
1. **Add 7 to both sides:**
\[
2x = -7
\]
2. **Divide both sides by 2:**
\[
x = \frac{-7}{2} \quad \text{or} \quad x = -3.5
\]
### Final Solutions
The equation has two solutions:
\[
x = \frac{21}{2} \quad \text{and} \quad x = -\frac{7}{2}
\]
In decimal form, these are \(x = 10.5\) and \(x = -3.5\).
**Answer:**
All real solutions are x = 21⁄2 and x = –7⁄2.
Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team
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Extra Insights
To solve the equation \( |2x - 7| = 14 \), we start by considering the definition of absolute value. We can split the equation into two cases: 1. \( 2x - 7 = 14 \) 2. \( 2x - 7 = -14 \) For the first case, solving \( 2x - 7 = 14 \): \[ 2x = 14 + 7 \] \[ 2x = 21 \] \[ x = \frac{21}{2} = 10.5 \] For the second case, solving \( 2x - 7 = -14 \): \[ 2x = -14 + 7 \] \[ 2x = -7 \] \[ x = \frac{-7}{2} = -3.5 \] Thus, the solutions to the equation \( |2x - 7| = 14 \) are: \[ x = 10.5 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -3.5 \]