Question

How do you solve `|2+x| = 5`?

Answer 1

`x=3,-7`

Explanation:

Absolute value expressions can be split into two different non-absolute-value expressions. This occurs since the portion inside the absolute value bars can be positive or negative, but only the positive version is seen.

To split up `abs(2+x)=5`, you can say that

`2+x=5`

or

`2+x=-5`

Now, solve both of these equations to find that `x=3` and `x=-7`.