Question

Josefina started to solve for x in the equation

3.5 = 1.9 – 0.8|2x – 0.6| using the steps below:

3.5 = 1.9 – 0.8|2x – 0.6|
1.6 = –0.8|2x – 0.6|
–2 = |2x – 0.6|
Why did Josefina stop at Step 3?

Answer 1

the absolute value of an equation can not be negative

–2 = |2x – 0.6|

there is no value of x where |2x – 0.6| would be negative because the absolute value of anything is not negative

Answer 2

that is why she stopped there b/c there is no point in simplifying past that