Magoosh is the leader in GRE prep having helped millions of students study since 2010. Our affordable self-study plan includes exclusive official practice questions, full-length practice tests, and a score improvement guarantee

Prep with Magoosh

GRE Math: Absolute Values

Chris Lele

December 23, 2011

On average you will see at least one question on the Revised GRE dealing with absolute values. You may even see a few. Yet, absolute value gets lost in the prep fray amongst the more popular concepts. So if you don’t want this relatively innocuous concept to surprise you test day read on.

What You Need to Know

What do -4 and 4 have in common? They are both four units from the 0 on a number line. Think of absolute value has how far from the zero a given number is on a number line.

For positive numbers finding the absolute value is easy – it is always the number between the absolute value signs, which look like this \({|}{ }{|}\).

\({|}{5}{|}=5\)

\({|}{1/2}{|}=1/2\)

\({|}{100}{|}=100\)

When we take the absolute value of a negative number, we drop the negative, and the absolute value sign.

\({|}{-5}{|}=5\)

\({|}{-1/2}{|}=1/2\)

\({|}{-100}{|}={100}\)

Absolute Value Meets Algebra

What is the value of x in the equation \({|}{x}{|}=5\)? Well, the absolute value of both \(5\) and \(-5\) is \(5\), so \(x = 5\) or \(-5\).

Now take a look at the following: \({|}{x}{|}={-5}\)

Anything seem off? Well, the absolute value of any number can never be a negative therefore there is no value for x.

To solve for a variable inside an absolute value sign, we want to remove the absolute value sign and solve the equation. However, there is a slight twist: you will want to create two separate equations. For one remove the absolute value signs and solves for x. For the other, make the side of the equation not inside the absolute value equal to a negative. Let’s try a practice problem:

\({|}{x-2}{|}=4\)?

Our two equations are:

\(x-2=4\)

\(x-2=-4\)

If this seems strange, think of it this way: when you find a value for x that makes the equation equal -4, you have also solved for positive four. Remember, the absolute value of -4 is 4. Solving for x we get:

\(x-2=4\), \(x=6\)

\(x-2=-4\), \(x=-2\).

Therefore x can equal 6 or -2.

Absolute Value Meets the Inequality Sign

Now let’s complicate things a little and throw an inequality in to the picture. Have a look:

\({|}{x-4}{|}<3\)

We turn the inequality sign into an equal sign and solve for x the way we did above.

\(x-4=3\)

\(x=7\)

so \(x<7\).

However, when we turn 3 into -3, we have to reverse the sign. This is the one critical step.

\(x-4=-3\)

\(x=1\)

so \(x>1\).

Therefore, \(1<x<y\). You can plug in different values for x to see how this is the case.

Takeaways

This is a basic overview to absolute value and should help you with most of the sub-150 problems. For the harder problems, however, you will want to make sure to practice with more advanced problems.

Author

Chris Lele

Chris graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and has 20 years of experience in the test prep industry. He’s been quoted as a subject expert in many publications, including US News, GMAC, and Business Because.

View all posts

Share5

Please leave any questions or suggestions in the comments, we try our best to respond within a few days!
Your email address will not be published.

51 responses to “GRE Math: Absolute Values”

José

July 29, 2020

Hi,

I just watch the video on “Positive and Negative Numbers – II” and wanted to learn a little more about absolute values. However, I am seeing some weird text in the blog entry (e.g., ), I tried to use different web explorers, but no improvement. Is there’s something wrong with the blog entry?

Thanks,

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  August 28, 2020
  
  Hi Jose,
  
  If you are still having this issue, can you send a screenshot to us at [email protected] ? I don’t see any issues on my end, so it might help to see what you see.
  
  Reply
Mariyah

April 7, 2019

This was asked a earlier, would like an explaination for rule please.
| x – 1 |> 4, the results are x> 5 and x ,<) changed. Because the rules to change the sign only apply to division and multiplication with negative numbers.

Reply
1. David Recine
  
  April 8, 2019
  
  I’ll be happy to help you with this, Mariyah. Before we get started though, to clarify, I believe you meant to say that | x – 1 |> 4 has results of x>5 and x<-3. If I got that wrong, let me know in a follow-up concept. But for now, we'll assume I got that right. 🙂 OK, so why is the sign reversed in the case of x<-3? First, let's review the steps, and the rule for reversing inequality signs when dealing with absolute values. Then, we can talk about how the rules for reversing the signs in absolute values actually do connect for the rules for reversing the signs. So if we have | x – 1 |> 4, we want to solve by removing the absolute value sign and change the inequality sign to an equal sign, as seen in the post above. Let’s start there and go through the steps.
  
  Remove the absolute value sign, and we have x-1 = 4, OR x-1 = -4. Why? Because the absolute value of a positive number or a negative number both equal the same positive number. |3|= 3, and |-3|= 3, to give one example. We don’t know if x-1 as it’s seen inside the absolute value sign is ultimately a positive number. We only know that it’s absolute value is positive, which means x-1 itself could be negative or positive. So, removing x-1 from its absolute value sign and changing the “>” to an equal, we must assume that x-1 could equal 4 or -4.
  
  So we have two equations: x-1 = 4, and x-1 = -4. Let’s solve for x-1 = 4 first:
  
  x-1 = 4
  x = 4 + 1
  x = 5
  
  So one possible value of x is 5. Now that we’ve solved for that possibility, we can put the original inequality sign back in:
  
  x = 5
  x > 5
  
  Next, let’s solve for x-1 = -5:
  
  x-1 = -4
  x = -4 + 1
  x = -3
  
  Now, when solving for x-1 as a negative number, we reverse the original sign:
  
  x = -3
  x > -3
  x < -3 Why? Well, the simplest answer is that we reverse the sign because that's the rule for absolute value and inequalities. When you are using a negative number for absolute value and solving for an inequality, you use the sign because... that's how it's done. But let's take a deeper look as to why we have that rule to begin with. Think if it this way: Just as |3| = 3 or -3, |x–1| = +(x-1) or -(x-1). Now if you turn the x-1 in |x–1 | into +(x-1), you really haven't changed it. x-1 remains x-1, the exact same value. However, if you take the x-1 in |x–1| and turn it into -(x-1), you have changed the value. x-1 does NOT equal -(x-1). So how do you change x-1 into -(x-1)? By multiplying x-1 by -1:
  
  (-1)(x-1) = -(x-1)
  
  So when you solve for the negative value of an equation that you found inside the absolute value, you are actually multiplying the equation by -1. And if you are multiplying an entire equation by -1, you follow the rules of multiplication with negative numbers in inequalities, and you change the direction of the inequality sign!
  
  Does that make sense? If you’re not sure it does (or again, if there’s anything I misunderstood about your original question), let me know in a follow-up comment.
  
  Reply
Navaneeth

June 2, 2018

|x-5| -> Distance of x from +5

This is not clear, can you explain the concept behind it? Why cant it be distance from -5.

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  June 7, 2018
  
  |x-5| really does represent the distance of x from +5, and |x+5| really is the distance of x from -5. This can seem confusing at first, Navaneeth, but it makes sense if you plug in values for x. Let’s give that a try.
  
  Suppose that x=8. Then, |x-5| becomes |8-5|. This simplifies to |3|, or just 3 (since absolute values are positive numbers anyway). If x = 8, in other words, x is 3 units from 5, from positive 5. It is NOT 3 units away from -5; 8 is actually 13 units away from negative 5. If we set x at 1, we still get the same result of x being the distance from positive 5 rather than negative 5:
  
  |x-5| >> |1-5| >> |-4| >> 4. 1 is 4 units from 5. (But 6 units away from -5.)
  
  This really will work with any value for x: a value greater than 5, a value less than 5, a negative number, or a positive number. If you still have some doubts about the number properties demonstrated above, practice plugging other values in for yourself.
  
  The same principle is the reason |x+5| is the distance of x from negative 5. Let’s plug in two different random numbers for X. First, let’s say that x= -100. Here’s how that plays out:
  
  |x+5| >> |-100+5| >> |-95| >> 95. -100 is 95 units away from -5. (But would be 105 units away from positive 5.)
  
  Another way to think of it is this: |x-5| means that |x-5| is a certain number greater than, less than, or equal to 0. It’s an unknown equality, expressed as: |x-5| ? 0. Recall that inequalities can be treated like regular algebraic equations. So to get x alone on one side of the equation, you want to eliminate -5. You do that by adding +5 to both sides: |x-5+5|?0+5 >> |x|?5, with “?” representing not just inequality to 5, but specific distance in either direction from 5. Similarly:
  
  |x+5|?0 >> |x+5-5|?0-5 >> |x|?-5 .
  
  Hope all this helps. 🙂
  
  Reply
Linda

April 17, 2018

I have a question, the lesson shows an example
| x – 1 |> 4, the results are x> 5 and x ,<) changed. Because the rules to change the sign only apply to division and multiplication with negative numbers.

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  April 20, 2018
  
  Hi Linda,
  
  Since you’re a Premium student, I forwarded your message on to our team of tutors. You should hear back from them soon! As a reminder, you can always get answers more efficiently by using the Purple “Help” button in your Premium account 🙂
  
  Reply
2. Hari
  
  June 28, 2018
  
  Hey! The sign has to be changed because you’re actually multiplying “-1” to the expression in the right-hand side. For example:
  
  |x-3| > 3, when you take out the absolute value, it becomes:
  
  x-3 > 3 and x-3 < -3.
  
  Hope this helps! 🙂
  
  Reply
MUQADAS AFGAN

November 3, 2016

Chris,

I am a Magoosher and I have a doubt here. If we have an equation like |x-5| + 3 = 8. then how to solve this for the range of x.
Following your method of solving the equation, i reached the conclusion x= 10 or -6 however the answer chances given as follows in the O’Level math book are as follows.
|x-5| + 3 = 8
A. x=10
B. x= 10 or x=0
C. x=10 or x=-10
D. x=0 or x=-10

I solved as follows:
|x-5| + 3 = 8 or |x-5| + 3 = 8
x-5+3=8 or x-5+3=8
x =10 or x =-6

The correct answer as per the book is B.
Can you please explain how we reached this result.

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  November 3, 2016
  
  Hi Muqadas,
  
  If you get a problem like this, you want to try to make your life easier and get the absolute value onto one side of the equation by itself:
  
  |x-5| + 3 = 8 [Subtract “3” from both sides]
  |x-5| = 5
  
  Then, we have:
  “|x-5| = 5” OR “|x-5| = -5”
  
  |x-5| = 5 [Remove absolute values sign (as we have both equations now)]
  x-5 = 5 [Add “5” to both sides]
  x = 10
  
  |x-5| = -5 [Remove absolute values sign (as we have both equations now)]
  x-5 = -5 [Add “5” to both sides]
  x = 0
  
  So, I agree that the correct answer is B.
  
  Reply
  1. MUQADAS AFGAN
    
    November 4, 2016
    
    Thanks Chris for the prompt reply.
    
    Kindly take a look at another example question 5-3 |x+5| = -4 which I am currently trying to solve by the above-mentioned method to results that aren’t matching any of choice.
    The answer choices are as follows:
    A. x= 4 or x= 10
    B. x= -4 or x= -10
    C. x= 4or x= -4
    D. x= No Answer Possible
    
    I solved it as follows:
    
    5-3 |x+5| = -4
    2 |x+5| = -4 Subtracted -2 from both sides – |x+5| = -6
    
    x+5 =-6 or x+5 = +6
    
    The answers were -13 and -1 but the true answer option by the book is B.
    
    Kindly tell me how was this result drawn.
    
    Reply
    1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
      
      November 6, 2016
      
      Hi Muqadas,
      
      I’m a bit confused by this example–I think you may have copied something incorrectly in the question itself. I didn’t get an answer included in the choices.
      
      The problem I see with your answer is that you added and subtracted unlike terms. From what I see, the 3 is multiplied by |x+5|, which means that we can’t subtract 3*|x+5| from 5 (this would be like doing 5-3x=2x– there is no x in the 5 so they aren’t like terms and we can’t do it!)
      
      This is how I solved the problem using the method above:
      5-3*|x+5|=-4
      -3*|x+5|=-9
      |x+5|=3
      So we have |x+5|=3 OR |x+5|=-3
      
      For the first equation:
      x+5=3
      x=-2
      
      For the second equation:
      x+5=-3
      x=-8
      
      So I’m not sure if the question was copied down incorrectly or not, but I didn’t get any of the answer choices here! I recommend that you double check the problem to see what might be going on, and see if my method makes sense to you. Remember: you can’t add or subtract different terms! 🙂
      
      Reply
      1. Adrienne
        
        May 29, 2017
        
        I’m a bit confused by the above example and how the answers are not listed.
        
        I’m wondering: does this concept, “the absolute value of any number can never be a negative therefore there is no value for x” not apply in this situation because carrying out/simplifying the operations on the left side produces a positive number on the right side once executed?
        
        Reply
        
        Magoosh Test Prep Expert
        
        May 31, 2017
        
        Hi Adrienne,
        
        So, I think I understand where your confusion is coming from here! So, please note that you cannot have an absolute value expression alone on one side of the equation EQUAL TO a negative number alone on the other side. For example, |x + 5| = -8. This does NOT work. As you’ve pointed out, an absolute value cannot equal a negative number as the absolute value expression will output a positive number.
        
        That being said, if there is a negative expression with the absolute expression on one side of the equation, then it’s possible for the other side of the equation to be negative. For example, |x + 5| – 20 = -8. In this case, this is possible. But, you have to simplify to confirm.
        
        I hope this helps! Have a great day! 🙂
        
        Reply
Ketki

November 2, 2016

Hi Chris,

How can we solve the Quantitative comparison for absolute value solution and 0?
Eg: |2n+1| < n +6
Quantity A: n
Quantity B: 0
Can you please help.
This problem is in Official Guide.

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  November 5, 2016
  
  Hi Ketki,
  
  In this case, I would recommend plugging values in for n to see what the relationship might be. This has an absolute value and an inequality, so it’s a difficult question! But, if we can determine that there are values that satisfy n that are greater than and/or less than 0, we can figure out relationship out. I can see pretty quickly that I can plug “2” in for n and get 5<10, so this inequality holds true for a value greater than 0. I can also see that if I plug in -1 for n, I get 1<6 which also holds true. Since there are values above and below 0 that satisfy this inequality, we know that the answer must be (D).
  
  For more information on the plugging in strategy, see the following blog section: https://magoosh.com/gre/2011/part-i-the-power-of-plugging-in-%E2%80%93-gre-math-techniques/
  
  Reply
Sakshi

September 13, 2016

Hi,

I came across this question. Can you please answer it?

Suppose that |x|<|y+2|0 and xz>0. Which of the following could be true?

Indicate all statements that apply.

a) 0<y<x<z

b) 0<x<y<z

c) x<z<0<y

d) 0<y+1.5<x<z

e) z<x<0<y

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  September 14, 2016
  
  Hi Sakshi,
  
  I’d be happy to help you with this question, but could you let me know where it’s from? Please note that we generally don’t answer questions from outside materials but rather prioritize Magoosh and Official Guide questions 🙂
  
  Also, it’s a great help to us in giving explanations if you elaborate a little about your thought processes. How did you approach the question? Where did you get stuck? This helps us to make clear, concise responses.
  
  Looking forward to hearing from you!
  
  Reply
Sayli

August 29, 2016

Hey ,

I just want to clear my doubt .
The absolute value of a number is always positive , whereas when the variable is there it can be negative or positive . Right?

|4| = 4 , |-4| = 4

|x-4| = (x-4) or -(x-4)

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  August 30, 2016
  
  Hi Sayli 🙂
  
  Happy to help! You’re headed in the right direction with your thinking, but let’s tighten it up 🙂
  
  |something| is the distance of (something) from zero. It’s a distance, which means it’s always positive.
  
  As you mentioned, |4| = |-4| = 4. And another way of saying this is that both 4 and -4 are a distance of 4 units from 0.
  
  Variables
  Now, let’s look at what happens when we have a variable inside the absolute value sign. For example,
  
  |x| = |-x|
  
  But do these equal x or -x? Well, it depends on whether x itself is negative or positive. Remember, -x doesn’t mean a negative number necessarily. It means the “opposite of x.”
  
  So if x = -3, then -x = -(-3) = 3
  
  If x is a negative number, then -x is a positive number. So if x is negative, then |x| = -x. This idea reflects the example you mentioned 🙂
  
  Hope this helps!
  
  Reply
John

July 17, 2016

This is the problem |3 + 3x| < -2x

Quantity A Quantity B
|x| 4

so, x < -3/5 <<>> x>-3 ( 5>-3 is true here )

how can we say => -3/5 > x > -3 (This means x < -3/5 <<>> x>-3)
and conclude that Quantity B is greater

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  July 21, 2016
  
  Hi John,
  
  Happy to help 🙂 When we solve this absolute value inequality, we get find, as you mention,
  
  -3 < x < -3/5
  
  In words, x is greater than -3 and less than -3/5. So, there is a range of values from -3 to -3/5 (these endpoints not included) that x could be and satisfy the original inequality. Given this range, |x| < 3, since x < -3 and |-3| = 3. And for that reason, we can conclude the Quantity B is greater 🙂
  
  I hope this helps!
  
  Reply
Tee

May 18, 2016

I thought you only switch the sign when multiplying/dividing by a negative, not adding/subtracting?

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  May 25, 2016
  
  Hi Tee 🙂
  
  You’re correct that switch the sign of an inequality when we multiply or divide by a negative number and we keep the sign the same when adding or subtracting. We can see these ideas applied in the practice problem in the post 🙂
  
  |x-4| < 3
  
  To solve for x, we want to look at the positive and negative of the value within the absolute value:
  
  1. x – 4 < 3
  2. -(x – 4) < 3
  
  As outlined in the post, for (1), we solve for x by adding 4 to both sides:
  
  x – 4 + 4 < 3 + 4
  x < 7
  
  For (2), we can first multiply both sides by (-1), which entails flipping the sign of the inequality. From there, we will add 4 to both sides to solve for x:
  
  -(x – 4)*(-1) < 3*(-1)
  x – 4 > -3 [notice how we flipped the sign of the inequality!]
  x – 4 + 4 > – 3 + 4
  x > 1
  
  Combining these two results, we find that 1 < x < 7 🙂
  
  I hope this clears up any confusion! Happy studying!
  
  Reply
Sayahnita

February 26, 2016

Hi Chris,

I am a Magoosher. Could you please delineate the concept of extraneous roots?As it was mentioned by Mike that ‘extraneous solutions are invalid and do not solve the original equation’ in a lesson video!!

Reply
1. Magoosh Test Prep Expert
  
  March 3, 2016
  
  Hi Sayahnita,
  
  Happy to explain! 🙂
  
  An extraneous root is one that appears as a solution, but upon checking with direct substitution is in fact not a solution.
  
  For example: you have an equation and after some work come up with two roots which we can juts call “a” and “b”. When you put “a” into the original equation it works and is true, but when you put in “b” it doesn’t work at all! So “b” is an extraneous root because while you arrived at it in a mathematically valid way, it isn’t actually a root. This often happens when we square both sides during our solution because, as you know, this affects negative numbers. (The square of a negative number is positive.)
  
  Imagine we had to solve √(2x + 7) + 4 = x.
  
  √(2x + 7) = x – 4
  
  2x + 7 = (x – 4)^2
  
  2x + 7 = x^2 – 8x + 16
  
  x^2 – 10x + 9 = 0
  
  We can factor this, which gives us (x – 9)(x – 1) = 0. Thus, 9 and 1 are roots, but we now have to go back and check them in the original equation. If you plug x = 1 back into the original equation, you will see that the equation DOES NOT hold true. Hence, this is an extraneous root. If you plug x = 9 back into the original equation, you will see that the equation DOES hold true, so that one is your answer.
  
  For 1:
  √(2x + 7) + 4 = x
  √(2(1) + 7) + 4 = 1
  √(9) + 4 = 1
  3 + 4 =/= 1
  
  For 9:
  √(2x + 7) + 4 = x
  √(2(9) + 7) + 4 = 9
  √(18 + 7) + 4 = 9
  √(25) + 4 = 9
  5 + 4 = 9
  
  I hope that helps!
  
  Reply
  1. Sayahnita
    
    March 7, 2016
    
    Wow,gee thanks,you guys are the best 🙂
    
    Reply
meaad

November 8, 2015

I have a question about absolute value equation,
if we get two negative solutions for X, so we directly can say there is no solution for absolute value equation

Reply
Anusha Komati

September 6, 2015

Why we need to solve in two Equations a, + 3 B, -3 to find the absolute values? Is it to know the number of units?How about the Below one?
Quantity A: l m+25 l
Quantity B: 25 – m

Thank You.

Reply
Pranesh

August 27, 2015

expecting answer from Chris

hello chris i am a magoosher, could you please explain the following ; |-R/4+6|>2 and
|-R/4+6|>-2

Reply
1. Jessica Wan
  
  August 27, 2015
  
  Hi Pranesh!
  
  Thanks for pointing out that you’re a Magoosher! 🙂
  
  Just wanted to let you know that I’ve forwarded your question to our team of Remote Tutors. Chris would love to answer every question, but he has a lot of projects going on right now and he’s just one person! Someone from the tutor team will email you directly to follow up.
  
  All best,
  Jessica
  
  Reply
Mudit

January 4, 2015

Hi Chris

I am a Magoosh premium member. I really like your blogs and videos. Great work!

One thing I did not understand in the above blog was its last part. When solving x-4=-3, why did you reverse the inequality sign? Clearly the equation does not look like its getting multiplied or divided by -1, since that would have affected both the sides.

Reply
1. Chris Lele
  
  January 7, 2015
  
  Mudit,
  
  When we make the number to the right of the equal sign a negative number (in this case -3), it reverses the direction of the sign. Take the following equation:
  
  |x + 1| < 2
  
  One value of 'x' has to less than 1 (we can solve this the traditional way).
  
  Now we have to find the value of x that would make the equation x + 1, now without the absolute value sign, come out to less than -2. See, whatever value that comes out of the absolute value equation that is between 0 and -2 will yield a positive number (remember the absolute value sign). For that reason we set the number equal to -2. But in doing so, we have to flip the direction of the sign. Remember when we solved for the positive value of x, we get a number less than 2. To say that x has be a number less than -2 would not overlap (these statements are mutually exclusive). By turning the direction of the sign, when we make the number -2, we make it so 'x' is between -2 and 2, which is a possible outcome.
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply
  1. suryansh
    
    July 1, 2015
    
    its simple that why reverse the inequality sign . for example
    2>1
    now multiply by -1 on both sides
    -2>-1 is wrong
    so we reverse the sign
    -2<-1
    now do u get it
    
    Reply
Vikas

August 23, 2014

Hi Chris,

Can you please share me the magoosh link for the chapter “sequences”. I tried in Algebra and Math Basic sections but didn’t get.

Thanks,
Vikas

Reply
1. Chris Lele
  
  August 25, 2014
  
  Hi Vikas,
  
  Are you talking about the eBook?
  
  Reply
Spondita

August 2, 2013

In you above explanation to the question: What is the value of x in the equation delim{|}{x}{|}=5. Why there is no value of x? Can’t x be -5 and 5 in this?

Reply
Taruna

July 29, 2013

Is it alright to apply these strategies with quadratic inequalities?

Reply
Peter

July 23, 2013

Where can i find some harder problems on absolute values

Reply
1. Chris Lele
  
  July 23, 2013
  
  Hi Peter,
  
  The Magoosh products offers some, the Manhattan 5 lbs. GRE book is also a great source, and the NOVA book (old GRE only) may have a few.
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply
Shubham

July 11, 2012

Chris,

I have a doubt here. If we have a equation like |x-1| + |x-2| = 5. then how to solve this for range of x.

Reply
1. Chris
  
  July 12, 2012
  
  Hi Shubham,
  
  All you have to do is remove the absolute value signs and solve for x, giving us x = 4. Then, remove the absolute value signs but this time make 5 negative, giving us x = -1.
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply
  1. Divya
    
    July 20, 2013
    
    hi! in the previous question,can i know why 5 is taken as -5?
    
    Reply
    1. Chris Lele
      
      July 22, 2013
      
      Yes, whenever you are dealing with absolute value signs, you always want to make the number to the right of the equal sign negative to solve for the second value of the absolute value.
      
      |x – 4| = 1
      
      To solve, we remove the absolute value signs and create two equations:
      
      x – 4 = 1
      x – 4 = -1
      
      Then solve for x to find the two values of ‘x’.
      
      Hope that helps!
      
      Reply
      1. Rishabh
        
        July 28, 2013
        
        In the above explanations when we do have two absolute values, wont the negative and negative become positive and we should only consider the positive on the right hand side? Or is it always that you consider the RHS to be -ve and +ve both irrespective of the number of absolute values on the LHS.
        
        Reply
      2. payal
        
        October 19, 2015
        
        Thank you- you simplify this!!
        
        Reply
      3. Dulce Sanchez
        
        August 25, 2019
        
        Hi Chris!
        So just to make sure when you are solving the negative absolute value, you never make the x negative?? we just make negative the other side of the inequality?
        
        Reply
        
        Magoosh Test Prep Expert
        
        December 6, 2019
        
        Hi Dulce! Yes, that’s correct. If you have something like |-x| = 5, then you’d split the equation in two: -x = 5 and -x = -5. We didn’t change the negative on the x, though in cases like this these equations are equivalent to x = 5 and x = -5. It just depends on whether we divide through by -1 or not. All that means is that switching x to -x or -x to x wouldn’t really make a difference. It’s just important to do what we need to do for all absolute value equations. Make two equations, one with the original value and another with the negative of that term or expression. Also be sure to flip the inequality sign for the negative version. I hope that helps!
        
        Reply
  2. Amey Kelkar
    
    August 9, 2013
    
    Really helpful Chris, Thanks a lot! 😀
    
    Reply
  3. gvk
    
    July 13, 2015
    
    I think it’s not so straight to solve |x – 1| + |x – 2| = 5 by just reversing signs. The approach doesn’t seem to be extendible to an example like |x – 1| + |x – 2| + |x – 3|+ |x – 4| .. = 5
    
    The steps should be:
    1. Split into parts
    2. Check sign in each part & solve the equation
    3. Find solution and then validate it
    
    Explanation: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/solveabs2.htm
    
    Reply

GRE Math: Absolute Values

What You Need to Know

Absolute Value Meets Algebra

Absolute Value Meets the Inequality Sign

Takeaways

Author

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

51 responses to “GRE Math: Absolute Values”

GRE Math: Absolute Values

What You Need to Know

Absolute Value Meets Algebra

Absolute Value Meets the Inequality Sign

Takeaways

Author

More from Magoosh

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

51 responses to “GRE Math: Absolute Values”