If I have an equation like this and Im trying to solve for X
|x| + 4|x| = 40
Can I take the absolute Value (Modulus) as a common factor?
|x + 4x| = 40
and the proceed to solve for X?
If I have an equation like this and Im trying to solve for X
|x| + 4|x| = 40
Can I take the absolute Value (Modulus) as a common factor?
|x + 4x| = 40
and the proceed to solve for X?
In general $|a|+|b|\ne|a+b|$
See here, for the general relation
We can write $$|x|(1+4)=40\implies 5|x|=40$$
Things become more clear if we substitute $|x|$ with $y$