Trisha needs to adjust her cholesterol level to a target value of 150. She recalls that her cholesterol level differed from her target value by 16 units, but does not recall whether she is above or below the target value. Use an absolute value equation to find the possible values for Trisha's cholesterol level.
A) 118 or 134
B) 129 or 161
C) 134 or 166
D) 144 or 176

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since Trisha does not remember if she is above or below her target value, we can use absolute value to find the possible values. Let x be Trisha's actual cholesterol level. Then, we can write the equation |x - 150| = 16. Solving for x, we get x = 134 or x = 166. Since Trisha's actual value cannot be greater than 166 (since that would mean she is further away from her target), the only possible answer choice is C, which includes 134 as one of the values.

Trisha Needs to Adjust Her Cholesterol Level to a Target