Answer:
x = [tex]\frac{10}{3}[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
Given
| x + 3 | = 4x - 7
The absolute value function always returns a positive value, however the expression inside can be positive or negative, thus
x + 3 = 4x - 7 OR - (x + 3) = 4x - 7
Solving the 2 equations
x + 3 = 4x - 7 ( subtract 4x from both sides )
- 3x + 3 = - 7 ( subtract 3 from both sides )
- 3x = - 10 ( divide both sides by - 3 )
x = [tex]\frac{10}{3}[/tex]
OR
- (x + 3) = 4x - 7, that is
- x - 3 = 4x - 7 ( subtract 4x from both sides )
- 5x - 3 = - 7 ( add 3 to both sides )
- 5x = - 4 ( divide both sides by - 5 )
x = [tex]\frac{4}5}[/tex]
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As a check
Substitute these values into the equation and if both sides are equal then they are the solutions.
x = [tex]\frac{10}{3}[/tex]
| [tex]\frac{10}{3}[/tex] + 3 | = | [tex]\frac{19}{3}[/tex] | = [tex]\frac{19}{3}[/tex] and 4([tex]\frac{10}{3}[/tex] ) - 7 = [tex]\frac{40}{3}[/tex] - [tex]\frac{21}{3}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{19}{3}[/tex]
left side = right side
Thus x = [tex]\frac{10}{3}[/tex] is a solution
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x = [tex]\frac{4}{5}[/tex]
| [tex]\frac{4}{5}[/tex] + 3 | = | [tex]\frac{19}{5}[/tex] | = [tex]\frac{19}{5}[/tex] and 4([tex]\frac{4}{5}[/tex] ) - 7 = [tex]\frac{16}{5}[/tex] - [tex]\frac{35}{5}[/tex] = - [tex]\frac{19}{5}[/tex]
left side ≠ right side
Thus x = [tex]\frac{4}{5}[/tex] is an extraneous solution