Pre-Algebra Examples

$| x | - 5 = - 2$

Step 1

Move all terms not containing $| x |$ to the right side of the equation.

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Step 1.1

Add $5$ to both sides of the equation.

$| x | = - 2 + 5$

Step 1.2

Add $- 2$ and $5$ .

$| x | = 3$

Step 2

Remove the absolute value term. This creates a $\pm$ on the right side of the equation because $| x | = \pm x$ .

$x = \pm 3$

Step 3

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

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Step 3.1

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$x = 3$

Step 3.2

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$x = - 3$

Step 3.3

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = 3, - 3$