Question

What is the solution set for |–x + 2| = 5?

x = –7 and x = –3

x = –7 and x = 3

x = 7 and x = –3

x = 7 and x = 3

Answer 1

The thing about absolute values is that it alters the way you solve your equations. The key thing here is given
|a| = b
It could mean two things, either
a = b
OR
a = -b

Answer 2

ohkay,...

Answer 3

So in your example you have
|-x + 2| = 5
So, as stated above, you have consider both
-x + 2 = 5
OR
-x + 2 = -5

Try this now...

Answer 4

uhm,... I dont get it

Answer 5

You get why if
|a| = b
it could mean either
a = b
or
a = -b

right?

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

x could be positive number or negative number

Answer 8

Well, think of
-x + 2
as your a
and
5
as your b

Answer 9

nicely explained @ terenzreignz

Answer 10

Thanks :)
@miah Stuck?

Answer 11

yes ):

Answer 12

Well, as shown,
given
|a| = b
the way to do it, provided b is positive, is to do this:
a = b
and
a = -b

Catch me so far?

Answer 13

@terenzreignz show an example so maybe she would understand

Answer 14

Excellent suggestion :)
Hey, @miah
Suppose we have
2|x - 8|=6
And we're to find the possible values for x.

Answer 15

First, we divide both sides by 2, to get rid of that annoying coefficient.
We get
|x - 8| = 3

Catch me so far?

Answer 16

So, this means either
x - 8 = 3
OR
x - 8 = -3

We solve both equations, we get
x = 11
and
x = 5
And these are the answers.