To solve the absolute value equation |4x - 2| = 24.5, we need to consider the two cases that arise from the definition of the absolute value function. The absolute value of a number is the distance of that number from 0 on the real number line without consideration to direction, meaning:
- The expression inside the absolute value sign is equal to 24.5.
- The expression inside the absolute value sign is equal to -24.5.
Thus, we have two separate equations to solve:
Case 1: 4x - 2 = 24.5 Add 2 to both sides: 4x = 24.5 + 2 4x = 26.5 Now divide by 4: x = 26.5 / 4 x = 6.625
Case 2: 4x - 2 = -24.5 Add 2 to both sides: 4x = -24.5 + 2 4x = -22.5 Now divide by 4: x = -22.5 / 4 x = -5.625
Therefore, the two solutions to the equation |4x - 2| = 24.5 are x = 6.625 and x = -5.625.
