The inequality given is $|x + 1| < 4$.

To solve this absolute value inequality, follow these steps:

Step 1: Rewrite the inequality as a compound inequality

The expression $|x + 1| < 4$ implies: $-4 < x + 1 < 4$

Step 2: Solve for $x$

Now, subtract 1 from all parts of the inequality: $-4 - 1 < x + 1 - 1 < 4 - 1$ $-5 < x < 3$

Final solution:

The solution is: $x \in (-5, 3)$

This means that $x$ can take any value between -5 and 3, but not including -5 or 3.

Would you like more details, or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions you might explore:

1. How do we solve $|2x - 5| \leq 7$?
2. What is the solution to $|x - 3| > 2$?
3. How do you graph the solution $|x + 1| < 4$?
4. Can you explain the difference between $|x + 1| < 4$ and $|x + 1| \leq 4$?
5. How do we solve absolute value inequalities with a greater than condition, like $|x - 1| > 3$?

Tip: Always remember to interpret absolute value inequalities as two cases (one positive and one negative) before solving them!