If a number is 4 units away from another number, the difference between these two numbers must be 4. Therefore,
$$ x-(-11)=4 $$
$$ x+11=4 $$
$$ x=7 $$
To- obtain the other solution, we need to understand that a distance of negative \(4\) is equivalent to a distance of positive \(4\) . Accordingly,
$$ x-(-11)=-4 $$
$$ x+11=-4 $$
$$ x=-15 $$
A way to combine these two statements is to say that the absolute difference between two numbers is \(4\).
$$ |x-(-11)|=4 $$
$$ |x+11|=4 $$
$$ x=-7 \text{ or } -15 $$
We can find the solutions by inspection. If we drew a number line, \(-7\) and \(-15\) would be the points 4 units to the left and to the right of \(-11\). Only one asnwer choice satisfies both of these values:
$$ \boxed{|x+11|=4} $$
\(|x+11|=4\)
$$|-7+11|=4$$
$$|4|=4$$
$$4=4   \checkmark$$
\(|x+11|=4\)
$$|-15+11|=4 $$
$$|-4|=4 $$
$$4=4   \checkmark $$