How do you solve #|x|-8=-5#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-07-10T21:52:03

If you add #8# to both sides, you've pretty much solved it.

#|x| - 8 = -5#
#" "+8 " " +8#

#|x| = 3#

From here, we know that #|x| > 0#, whether #x > 0# or #x < 0#. So, we have to account for both answers.

#=> color(blue)(x = -3, +3)#

To check our answer:

#|3| - 8 = -5#

Since #|3| = 3#:

#3 - 8 = -5#

#color(green)(-5 = -5)#

#|-3| - 8 = -5#

Since #|-3| = 3#:

#3 - 8 = -5#

#color(green)(-5 = -5)#