if a and b are the solution to |2x+1| = 5 what is the value of |a-b|

Answer 1

To solve this, let's write the following system of equations since this is an absolute value problem.

2x + 1 = 5

2x + 1 = -5

In the first equation we know x = 2, let's call this a

in the second equation we know x = -3, let's call this b

therefore | a-b | = |2 -(-3)| = |2+3| = |5| = 5