9
QuizMultiple Choice

Solving Absolute Value Equations

Question 9 • (OC27) MATH COLL ALGEBRA-1200710-S1-Degele-VOL7006P

A while back, either James borrowed $12 from his friend Rita or she borrowed $12 from him, but he can’t quite remember which. Either way, he is planning to pay her back or ask that she pay him back this afternoon. If he has $42.80 in his wallet, which equation represents the amount of money he may have after he sees Rita?

Answer
A
|x – 42.80| = 12
B
|x + 42.80| = 12
C
|x – 12| = 42.80
D
|x + 12| = 42.80

Explanation

James starts with $42.80. Depending on who owes whom, he will either receive $12 and have $54.80, or pay $12 and have $30.80. In either case, the difference between his final amount x and $42.80 is $12, so the equation is |x – 42.80| = 12. Choice A represents this.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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