Question

Solve for x. -5|x + 1| = -10

Answer 1

Isolate the absolute value;

\(|x+1|=-10\div-5\\
|x+1|=2\)

Answer 2

Now, we know that the absolute value of something absolutely give some positive number;
|5|=5 AND |-5|=5

Therefore we can conclude that things between | | can take two different value; in this case, 2( 2 and -2)

Answer 3

Now let's set up our final step, build up two equations to solve x

So, |2|=2; |-2|=2

Therefore solve x for \(x+1=2;~x+1=-2\)

Answer 4

\(x+1=2\\
x=2-1\\x=1\)


\(x+1=-2\\
x=-2-1\\
x=-3\)