Challenge 343: Modulus Mystery
What values of x satisfy this equation?
Information for this problem:
The notation | x | means the modulus of x, which is just the “size” of x.
So if x = -5, then | x | = 5, and if x = 4.2, then | x | = 4.2.
We can also find the modulus of an expression.
For example, if x = -2, | x2 + x – 3 | = | 4 - 2 - 3 | = | -1 | = 1
Here’s the problem:
Find all values of x for which | x + 1 | + | x2 + 4x + 3 | = 12
Explain how you know you have found all the possible values.