NAME _____________________________________________ DATE ____________________________ PERIOD ____________

2.2Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities ⸱

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Examples 1-3
Solve each equation. Check your solutions.

1. |8 + p| = 2p – 3 2. |4w – 1| = 5w + 37

3. 4|2y – 7| + 13 = 9 4. –2|7 – 3y| – 6 = –14

5. 2|4 – n| = –3n 6. 5 – 3|2 + 2w| = –7

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2

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Page:89
7. 5|2r + 3| – 5 = 0 8. 3 – 5|2d – 3| = 4

Example 4
Solve each problem.
9. WEATHER The packaging of a thermometer claims that the thermometer is
accurate within 1.5 degrees of the actual temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Write and solve an absolute value equation to find the least and greatest
possible temperature if the thermometer reads 87.4° F.

10. OPINION POLLS Public opinion polls reported in newspapers are usually given
with a margin of error. A poll for a local election determined that Candidate
Morrison will receive 51% of the votes. The stated margin of error is ±3%. Write
and solve an absolute value equation to find the minimum and maximum percent
of the vote that Candidate Morrison can expect to receive.

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2

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Page:89
Examples 5 and 6
Solve each inequality. Graph the solution set on a number line.
𝑥
11. |2x + 2| – 7 ≤ –5 12. | − 5| + 2 > 10
2

13. |3b + 5| ≤ –2 14. |x| > x – 1

15. |4 ‒ 5x|< 13 16. |3n – 2| – 2 < 1

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2

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17. |3x + 1| > 2 18. |2x ‒ 1| < 5 + 0.5x

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Example 7
Solve each problem.
19. RAINFALL In 90% of the last 30 years, the rainfall at Shell Beach has varied no more than 6.5
inches from its mean value of 24 inches. Write and solve an absolute value inequality to
describe the rainfall in the other 10% of the last 30 years, and graph the solution on a number
line.

20. MANUFACTURING A food manufacturer’s guidelines state that each can of soup produced
cannot vary from its stated volume of 14.5 fluid ounces by more than 0.08 fluid ounces. Write
and solve an absolute value inequality to describe acceptable volumes, and graph the solution
on a number line.

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2

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Mixed Exercises
Solve each equation. Check your solutions.
21. 8x = 2|6x ‒ 2| 22. ‒6y + 4 = |4y + 12|

23. 8z + 20 > ‒|2z + 4| 24. ‒3y ‒ 2 ≤ |6y + 25|

REASONING Write an absolute value equation to represent each situation. Then solve the
equation and discuss the reasonableness of your solution given the constraints of the absolute
value equation.
25. The absolute value of the sum of 4 times a number and 7 is the sum of 2 times a
number and 3.

26. The sum of 7 and the absolute value of the difference of a number and 8 is ‒2
times a number plus 4.

27. MODELING A carpenter cuts lumber to the length of 36 inches. For her project,
the lumber must be accurate within 0.125 inch.
a. Write an inequality to represent the acceptable length of the lumber. Explain
your reasoning.
b. Solve the inequality. Then state the maximum and minimum length for the lumber.

28. SAND A home improvement store sells bags of sand, which are labeled as
weighing 35 pounds. The equipment used to package the sand produces bags
with a weight that is within 8 ounces of the labeled weight.
a. Write an absolute value equation to represent the maximum and minimum
weight for the bags of sand.
b. Solve the equation and interpret the result.

29. CONSTRUCT ARGUMENTS Megan and Yuki are solving the equation |x ‒ 9|=|5x + 6|. Megan
says that there are 4 cases to consider because there are two possible values for each absolute
value expression. Yuki says only 2 cases need to be considered. With which person, do you
agree? Will they both get the same solution(s)?

Solve each inequality. Graph the solution set on a number line.

30. 3|2z ‒ 4| ‒ 6 > 12 31. 6|4p + 2| ‒ 8 < 34

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2

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|5𝑓−2| |2𝑤+8|
32. 6
>4 33. 5
≥3

3𝑥|6𝑥+1| 7
34. − 5
< 12𝑥 35. − 8 |2𝑥 + 5| > 14

36. TIRES The recommended inflation of a car tire is no more than 35 pounds per square inch.
Depending on weather conditions, the actual reading of the tire pressure could fluctuate up to
3.4 psi. Write and solve an absolute value equation to find the maximum and minimum tire
pressure.

37. PROJECTILE An object is launched into the air and then falls to the ground. Its velocity is
modeled by the equation v = 200 ‒ 32t, where the velocity v is measured in feet per second and
time t is measured in seconds. The object’s speed is the absolute value of its velocity. Write and
solve a compound inequality to determine the time intervals in which the speed of the object
will be between 40 and 88 feet per second. Interpret your solution in the context of the
situation.

38. USA A SOURCE Research to find a poll with a margin of error. Describe the poll then write an absolute value
inequality to represent the actual results.

39. CONSTRUCT ARGUMENTS Roberto claims that the solution to |3c ‒ 4| > ‒4.5 is the same as the
solution to |3c ‒ 4| ≥ 0, because an absolute value is always greater than or equal to zero. Is he
correct? Explain your reasoning.

40. WRITE Summarize the difference between and compound inequalities and or compound
inequalities.

41. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Identify the compound inequality that does not share the same
characteristics as the other three. Justify your conclusion.

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2

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42. FIND THE ERROR Ana and Ling are solving |3x + 14| = ‒6x. Is either of them correct? Explain
your reasoning.

43. PERSEVERE Solve |2x ‒ 1| + 3 = |5 ‒ x|. List all cases and resulting equations.

ANALYZE If a, x, and y are real numbers, determine whether each statement is sometimes, always,
or never true. Justify your argument.
44. If |a|> 7, then |a + 3|> 10.

45. If |x|< 3, then x + 3 > 0.

46. If y is between 1 and 5, then |y ‒ 3| ≤ 2.

47. CREATE Write an absolute value inequality with a solution of a ≤ x ≤ b.

Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Reveal Algebra 2