Questions about the world of GMAT Math from other sources and general math related questions.
cutlass
 
 

dealing with absolutes on both sides of an eqn.

by cutlass Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:03 pm

Is squaring on both sides and solving a valid approach for dealing with problems with absolutes on both sides?

E.g.

|x - 3| = |2x - 4|

=>

(x-3)^2 = (2x-4)^2 and then solve for x?

Also, is it necessary to validate the solutions obtained by either methods (squaring, considering +ve/-ve cases), by plugging them into the original eqn?
cutlass
 
 

by cutlass Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:01 am

I found the post which explains this clearly:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/eiv ... t2989.html
rfernandez
Course Students
 
Posts: 381
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:25 am
 

by rfernandez Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:14 am

Looks like you helped yourself in the end!