write and solve an absolute value equation

Question

Barry's walkie talkie has a range of 2 mi. Barry is traveling on a straight highway and is at mile marker 207. Write and solve an absolute value equation to fine the minimum and maximum mile marker from 207 that Barry's walkie talkie will reach

Answer 1

Hi Jenny.

 

This problem seems so simple if all they want is the range, it is 207 -2 for the low MM (205) and 207 + 2 for the high MM (209).   But to make it an absolute value problem is another story...

 

I thought of two ways:  |x-2|=207    or   |x-207|=2

 

Solving the first one I get that x is between 209 (one of the values we want) and -205.  NOT what we want.

 

So I solved the second one, and I got that x = 209 (good)  or x = 205 (good!)

 

So it looks like the absolute value equation you want is the second one, that

 

|x-207| = 2