Absolute value equation solver

Absolute Value Equation Calculator

Solve supported absolute value equations with a constant, a linear expression, or another linear absolute value on the other side, then verify each candidate.

Try an example

Which absolute value equations are supported?

The solver handles forms such as |2x - 5| = 9, |2x - 5| = x + 4, and |3x - 2| = |x + 6| when each expression inside an absolute value is linear.

Some equations such as |x| = x describe an interval rather than a finite list of roots. I leave those forms unsupported until the result model can represent interval solution sets accurately.

How I split the absolute value cases

For |A| = B, I solve A = B and A = -B, then test the candidates in the original equation. When both sides are absolute values, I compare the inside expressions with the same sign and opposite signs.

The final substitution check is important when the expression on the other side contains x, because a candidate produced by one algebraic case may still fail the original absolute value equation.

Try an example

Type or paste an equation, solve it, inspect the transformations, and use verification and the graph instead of relying on the final value alone.

|2x - 5| = 9
|2x - 5| = x + 4
|3x - 2| = |x + 6|
|x - 4| = -2

Worked examples

Follow the same steps the calculator uses for three equations in this category.

|2x - 5| = 9

x = -2, x = 7

  1. Split the absolute value equation into its linear cases

    |2*x-5|=92x-5=9 or 2x-5=-9

Verified

|2x - 5| = x + 4

x = 1/3, x = 9

  1. Split the absolute value equation into its linear cases

    |2*x-5|=x+42x-5=x+4 or 2x-5=-x-4

Verified

|3x - 2| = |x + 6|

x = -1, x = 4

  1. Split the absolute value equation into its linear cases

    |3*x-2|=|x+6|3x-2=x+6 or 3x-2=-x-6

Verified

Common mistakes

  • The equation contains an expression this calculator cannot read.
  • This equation type is not supported yet.
  • Substitute each answer into the original equation and compare both sides.

Frequently asked questions

What does this calculator support?
Split supported forms such as |2x - 5| = 9 into linear cases and verify the roots.
How does it verify an answer?
Substitute each answer into the original equation and compare both sides.
Which equations are outside the supported range?
Cubic and higher-degree polynomials, logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, nested-radical, and multiple-absolute-value equations remain outside the supported solver scope.

Verification

Substitute each answer into the original equation and compare both sides.

Current solver scope

Cubic and higher-degree polynomials, logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, nested-radical, and multiple-absolute-value equations remain outside the supported solver scope.