Question

Solve for x: |x + 2| + 16 = 14 Please Help Having Trouble.. :(

Answer 1

-4: you subtract 16 and get (x+2)= -2 then you subtract 2 and get x=-4

Answer 2

after you simplify to get
| x+2 | = -2 (do you see how?)
you now have a problem.
the left hand side will be 0 or positive (because of the absolute value sign)
in other words, you can never get the left side to be -2 (or any negative number)
so no sol'n

Answer 3

?????
I'm still confused on all for this, Math isn't my strong subject,

Answer 4

which part?

if we start with
|x + 2| + 16 = 14
do you know how to "add -16" to both sides?

Answer 5

yes and no, its pretty confusing to me its the absolute value that throws me off

Answer 6

write in -16 on both sides (don't both to simplify)

Answer 7

and post it

Answer 8

Okay

Answer 9

you should get
|x + 2| + 16 + -16 = 14 + -16

Answer 10

now simplify the right-hand side (of the =)

Answer 11

Okay and you get |x+2|=-2?

Answer 12

yes

Answer 13

now about the absolute value signs.
they "do something" to the number inside them:
if the number inside is positive, it leaves the number alone, but if the number is negative, it makes it positive.

Answer 14

example: |1| becomes 1
|-1 | becomes 1
ok so far ?

Answer 15

Okay then you subtract -2 from both sides Right?

Answer 16

no, not yet. we have to get the idea clear.
do you understand this part:
the absolute value sign makes whatever is inside it positive.

Answer 17

Yes

Answer 18

think about this question:

what number can you put inside the absolute value sign
so that we get a negative number out?
any guess?

Answer 19

try to remember
the absolute value sign makes whatever is inside it positive.

in other words, | any number you can think of |
will be made positive because that is what the | | do.

Answer 20

if you had
|x| = -2
what x would make this true?

we could try numbers. Let's try x=-2
| -2 | = -2 ?
the left side turns into +2 (that is what the | | does)
2 = -2? no.

if we think about it, if the left side is positive for *any* number, then it will never be equal to a -2. in other words, there is no solution.