The difference between solving |4x-4| =12 and 4x-4 =12 is that in the first case |4x - 4| = 12 means (4x - 4) = 12 and 4x - 4 = -12
=> 4x = 16 and 4x = -8
=> x = 4 and x = -2
In the second case 4x - 4 = 12, we only get x = 4
The use of the absolute sign can give two separate expressions the same magnitude.
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