Problem Solving

When is x-4 equal to 4-x?

I could not understand the explanation given in the book. Can anybody please help?

Thanks,
Uma

Only when x=4.

x-4=4-x

x-4=-(x-4)

2(x-4)=0

x=4


Hope this clarify!!

Nice explanation, selango - I'll just add that the strategy here is really to set up an equation like you did:

"When is x - 4 equal to 4 -x"

Sets up as:

When does: x-4 = 4-x

Then you can do the same thing to both sides to keep the equation balanced (I'd steer clear of messing with negative multiplication and just add x to both sides and 4 to both sides to cancel out the negative numbers)

2x = 8
x = 4


A lot of times these word problems just come down to your ability to put the words into mathematical terms so that you can get to work on the algebra. Be careful when setting up equations, but once you have them hopefully you're comfortable enough with algebra that it's just a matter of finishing those steps.

Hi Selango and Brian,

Thanks for the application but I made a mistake while posting my question.
The actual question was
When is |x-4|=4-x...i missed the absolute value sign?

Could you please clarify this one.

thanks,
Uma