Solve for p.
- |p - 4| = - 16
Write your answers as integers or as proper or improper fractions in simplest form.
p =
or
P=
There are two possible solutions for p:
1) The absolute value of p - 4 is -16. Since the absolute value of a number is always non-negative, there is no solution for this equation. Therefore, p =
2) However, if there was a mistake in the equation and it should actually be |p - 4| = 16, then there are two possible solutions:
a) p - 4 = 16
Adding 4 to both sides: p = 20
b) -(p - 4) = 16
Multiplying both sides by -1 and distributing the negative sign: -p + 4 = 16
Subtracting 4 from both sides: -p = 12
Dividing both sides by -1 (or multiplying by -1): p = -12
So, if the equation is |p - 4| = 16, then the solutions are p = 20 or p = -12.