Doing this problem requires one to consider a few cases.
Firstly, I will solve for x in the first given equation.
|x−y|=950 | Drop the absolute value bars and split this equation into a positive and negative answer. | ||
| Add y to both sides in both cases to isolate x. | ||
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Now, let's solve for z in the second equation in the exact same fashion.
|y−z|=987 | Drop the absolute value bars again. | ||
| Subtract y from both sides. | ||
| Divide by -1 to fully isolate. | ||
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In order to solve this problem, one must consider all 4 cases. I have created them all in a table for you! Then, simplify as much as possible.
Case 1: |x1−z1| | Case 2: |x1−z2| | Case 3: |x2−z1| | Case 4: |x2−z2| |
|y+950−(y−987)| | |y+950−(y+987)| | |y−950−(y−987)| | |y−950−(y+987)| |
|y+950−y+987| | |y+950−y−987| | |y−950−y+987| | |y−950−y−987| |
|950+987| | |950−987| | |−950+987| | |−950−987| |
|1937| | |−37| | |37| | |−1937| |
1937 | 37 | 37 | 1937 |
Therefore, |x−z|=37or|x−z|=1937
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