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Absolute Value Calculator

Solve |ax + b| = rhs. Same engine as Linear Equation. Two solutions when rhs > 0; empty when rhs < 0. Not quadratic. Not a second engine. Not CAS. Runs locally.

Instant result
Result
—

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs—
Mode—
Formula—
Trust summary Engine tested · Specification checked · 18/18 tests · Production surface contract 4/4 · v1.5.0
Input interpretation
Enter values to calculate.
Result
—
Model
The real solutions of |ax + b| = rhs.
Scope
Degree 1 only
Verification
Engine tested · 18/18 tests · Production surface contract 4/4 · Specification checked · v1.5.0
Named expert review
Optional · Not performed
Specification basis
  • ISO 80000-2:2019 Quantities and units — Mathematics
Specification basis
Evidence
7 golden · 3 boundary · 8 property · Production surface contract 4/4 · Artifact integrity PASS
Production
Embedded snapshot: STALE · Last attested schema matched 1.5.0 snapshot / local build · Semantic contract ✓ · Last attestation PASS · current evidence changed · re-attestation required · Public/cache ✓ · Origin ✓ · Live production status STALE (2 capabilities; 162 remain CURRENT) @ 2026-09-20T09:01:12.147Z
Semantic contract
PASS

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

rhs > 0ax + b = ± rhs
rhs = 0x = −b / a
rhs < 0∅
iSame engine as /linear-equation. Not |ax²+bx+c|. Inequalities are /absolute-value-inequality. Not CAS.

How to use

1

Enter a, b, and rhs

|2x + 3| = 11 is a=2, b=3, rhs=11. The equation page stays at /linear-equation.

2

Read one or two roots

x = −7 and x = 4. rhs < 0 is empty. Inequalities are /absolute-value-inequality.

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

ϟ

Two solutions

|2x + 3| = 11

2x + 3 = ± 11
−7, 4
ϟ

Zero

|2x + 3| = 0

x = −3/2
−1.5
ϟ

Negative rhs

|2x + 3| = −1

never
∅

Absolute Value calculator specification

Version 1.5.0 · Engine tested

Calculation status

Review policy · Evidence

Definition
|ax + b| = rhs splits into ax + b = rhs and ax + b = −rhs when rhs > 0. This page is mode=abs on math.algebra.linear_equation. rhs < 0 is empty. a = 0 is ℝ or ∅. Not a second engine. Not quadratic. Not CAS.
What it calculates
The real solutions of |ax + b| = rhs.
Inputs
  • a
  • b?
  • rhs
Outputs
  • x
  • x2
  • n
  • status
  • solutions
Formula
ax + b = ± rhs
Assumptions
  • Degree 1 only
  • Real coefficients
  • Not quadratic
  • Not an inequality
  • Not CAS
Units
  • dimensionless
Boundary conditions
  • missing a or rhs → MISSING_REQUIRED_INPUT
  • unknown mode (including cas, quadratic) → INVALID_MODE
  • rhs < 0 → empty
  • a = 0 → ℝ or ∅
Example
a=2 b=3 rhs=11 → −7, 4
Validation cases

2 published on this page · 18/18 tests · Production surface contract 4/4 · View evidence

  • a=2 b=3 rhs=11 → -7, 4
  • mode=cas a=2 b=3 rhs=11 → INVALID_MODE
Specification basis
  • ISO 80000-2:2019 Quantities and units — Mathematics
Calculation version
1.5.0

Other calculators in this family: Absolute Value Inequality Calculator, Column Space Calculator, Condition Number Calculator, Cubic Equation Calculator, Least Squares Calculator, Left Nullspace Calculator, Linear Equation Calculator, Linear Inequality Calculator . Explore all Algebra & Equations.

→ Absolute Value Inequality Calculator Solve |ax + b| ○ rhs for ○ in {<, ≤, >, ≥}. Same engine as Linear Equation. Inside the branches is an interval; outside is a union. Not quadratic. Not a second engine. Not CAS. Runs locally. › → Column Space Calculator Column space (image) of a small real square matrix from RREF pivot columns. Same engine as Linear System. Trivial image is {0}. Left-nullspace is a sibling. Runs locally. › → Condition Number Calculator κ₁(A) = ‖A‖₁ ‖A⁻¹‖₁ for a small real square matrix. Same engine as Linear System. Singular matrices return infinite. Not a 2-norm product. Runs locally. › → Cubic Equation Calculator Cardano / trigonometric closed form for a real cubic. Same engine as Polynomial Roots. Three real roots or one real plus a conjugate pair. Not Ferrari. Not a second cubic engine. Runs locally. › → Least Squares Calculator Linear least squares for a small real square system. Full rank uses QR; rank-deficient uses SVD. Same engine as Linear System. Not Statistics regression. Runs locally. › → Left Nullspace Calculator Left-nullspace (cokernel) of a small real square matrix as ker(Aᵀ). Same engine as Linear System. Trivial left kernel is {0}. Not Jordan form. Runs locally. › → Linear Equation Calculator Solve ax + b = rhs for x. Identity and inconsistent cases when a = 0. Inequality /linear-inequality. Absolute value /absolute-value. Not the quadratic formula. Runs locally. › → Linear Inequality Calculator Solve ax + b ○ rhs for ○ in {<, ≤, >, ≥}. Same engine as Linear Equation. Negative a flips the inequality. Not quadratic. Not a second engine. Runs locally. ›
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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Is this a second linear engine?

No. It is mode=abs on math.algebra.linear_equation, the same engine as /calc/math/linear-equation.

Why is a negative right-hand side empty?

Absolute value is never negative, so |ax + b| = −1 has no real x.

Do you solve |ax + b| < c?

/calc/math/absolute-value-inequality is mode=abs_inequality on this same engine.