Solve |x| < 4

Step by step

The question

Question: solve |x| < 4.

1 Draw the distance

2 Write it without bars

So x is between −4 and 4: −4 < x < 4.

Now x is in the middle.

So x is between −4 and 4: −4 < x < 4.

3 Show it on a number line

Books also write the answer like this.

It is called interval notation.

A round bracket means the end is not in, like the open circle.

4 Check

Let's test one number from the answer: 1.

We put it in the question.

The inside is 1, and the bars make it 1.

1 is less than 4.

True!

So the answer works.

Let's look back.

First: draw the distance.

Then: write it without bars.

Then: show it on a number line.

Last: check.