To obtain the minimum and maximum temperatures (x) for Lollypop Town, the equation can be simplified to obtain the missing variable:
2|x - 6| + 14 = 38
2|x - 6| = 38 - 14
2|x - 6| = 24
|x - 6| = 12
Simplifying |x-6| = 12 can be done in two ways:
A.)
|x - 6| = 12
x - 6 = 12
x = 18 (maximum temperature)
B.)
|x - 6| = 12
x - 6 = -12
x = -6 (minimum temperature)