Like most equations you have seen so far, absolute value equations can be solved graphically or algebraically. The graphical approach is similar to that of other equations – graph the functions on each side of the equation, and determine where they intersect. The absolute value operation acts differently on an expression, depending on whether the expression is positive or negative. Both cases need to be accounted for when solving an absolute value equation algebraically.

In the next lesson, you will explore a new type of function – reciprocal functions.