Solve for x: Navigating Nested Absolute Values with the Condition x > 10

Nested Absolute Values with Conditional Constraints

{x111=5x>10 \begin{cases} ||x-11|-1|=5 \\ x>10 \end{cases}

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1

Understand the problem

{x111=5x>10 \begin{cases} ||x-11|-1|=5 \\ x>10 \end{cases}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve the given problem, let's break it down into manageable steps:

The given equation is x111=5 ||x-11|-1|=5 and the condition is x>10 x > 10 .

Step 1: Solve the outer absolute value: y1=5 ||y|-1|=5 , where y=x11 y = x - 11 .

This implies two scenarios:

  • y1=5    x11=6|y|-1 = 5 \implies |x-11| = 6
  • y1=5    x11=4|y|-1 = -5 \implies |x-11| = -4 (which is not possible since absolute values are non-negative)

So, we only consider x11=6 |x-11| = 6 .

Step 2: Solve the equation x11=6 |x-11| = 6 , giving two possibilities:

  • x11=6    x=17x - 11 = 6 \implies x = 17
  • x11=6    x=5x - 11 = -6 \implies x = 5

Step 3: Apply the condition x>10 x > 10 .

Out of the two possible solutions, x=5 x = 5 does not satisfy x>10 x > 10 .

Therefore, the only valid solution that satisfies both conditions is x=17 x = 17 .

The final solution is x=17 x = 17 .

3

Final Answer

x=17 x=17

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Work from inside out when solving nested absolute values
  • Technique: x111=5 ||x-11|-1|=5 becomes x11=6 |x-11|=6 first
  • Check: Substitute x=17 x=17 : 17111=5=5 ||17-11|-1| = |5| = 5

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Ignoring the conditional constraint x > 10
    Don't solve x11=6 |x-11|=6 and accept both x=17 and x=5 = wrong final answer! The condition x > 10 eliminates x=5 since 5 is not greater than 10. Always check every solution against all given conditions.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( \left|-x\right|=10 \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't x11=4 |x-11| = -4 be a solution?

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Absolute values are always non-negative! Since x110 |x-11| \geq 0 for all real numbers, it can never equal -4. This eliminates one branch of the solution immediately.

How do I handle the nested absolute value signs?

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Work from the inside out, like peeling an onion! First solve the outer absolute value something=5 |something| = 5 , then tackle the inner absolute value x11=6 |x-11| = 6 .

What if both solutions satisfied the condition?

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Then you'd have two valid answers! Always check each solution against all given conditions. In this problem, only x=17 x = 17 satisfies x>10 x > 10 .

Can I solve this without the condition x > 10?

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Yes, but you'd get two solutions: x=17 x = 17 and x=5 x = 5 . The condition x>10 x > 10 is part of the problem and must be applied to find the final answer.

How do I verify my answer in the original equation?

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Substitute x=17 x = 17 : 17111=61=61=5=5 ||17-11|-1| = ||6|-1| = |6-1| = |5| = 5 ✓. Also check that 17>10 17 > 10 ✓. Both conditions are satisfied!

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