ACT Math · Linear equations and inequalities

What are the solutions to |3x - 4| = 11?

What are the solutions to ∣3x−4∣=11|3x - 4| = 11?

Answer and explanation

Answer: F: x = 5, -7/3

An absolute value equation splits into two cases. If 3x−4=113x-4=11, then 3x=153x=15 and x=5x=5. If 3x−4=−113x-4=-11, then 3x=−73x=-7 and x=−73x=-\frac{7}{3}. So the solutions are 55 and −73-\frac{7}{3}, choice F. Choice G has +73+\frac{7}{3}, which drops the negative sign: ∣3(73)−4∣=3|3(\frac73)-4|=3, not 1111. Choice H gives −5-5, which fails because ∣3(−5)−4∣=19|3(-5)-4|=19. Choice J finds only one solution and misses the negative case. An equation ∣A∣=11|A|=11 always has two solutions when the right side is positive.

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