Below are the steps to solve an equation:

Step 1: |x − 4| + 1 = 8
Step 2: |x − 4| = 8 − 1
Step 3: |x − 4| = 7

Which of the following is a correct next step to solve the equation?
x − 4 = −7
x + 4 = −7
−x − 4 = 7
x + 4 = 7

Question

Below are the steps to solve an equation:

Step 1: |x − 4| + 1 = 8
Step 2: |x − 4| = 8 − 1
Step 3: |x − 4| = 7

Which of the following is a correct next step to solve the equation?
 x − 4 = −7
 x + 4 = −7 
−x − 4 = 7
 x + 4 = 7

zeesbrat3 · Answer

Are you certain you copied this exactly?

mertsj · Answer

The first one.  |x|=a  means x = a or x = -a

anonymous · Answer

okay thx!

zeesbrat3 · Answer

@Mertsj wouldn't you find the opposite signs for the expression in the absolute value bars, not the other side of the equation?

mertsj · Answer

Do whatever you want.

zeesbrat3 · Answer

Okay, I was just making sure. I guess that's the great thing about math, there is more than one way to do things.