SOLUTION: -5 I 6a + 2 I = -15 I = absolute valu sign I was taught to drop the absolute value sign, set up two equations--one = to -15 and one = to 15 and then solve for a. So for this

Question 668572: -5 I 6a + 2 I = -15
I = absolute valu sign
I was taught to drop the absolute value sign, set up two equations-- DISABLED_event_one= to -15 and DISABLED_event_one= to 15 and then solve for a. So for this problem, I wasn't sure if I should drop the absolute value sign and then it would be -5 x 6a + 2 = -15 and -5 x 6a + 2 = 15 OR if I should first distribute the -5 as if the absolute value signs were parentheses. Thanks so much for your help.
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, solver91311:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-5 I 6a + 2 I = -15
I = absolute valu sign
---------------
-5|6a + 2| = -15
|6a + 2| = 3
----
6a+2 = 3
6a = 1
a = 1/6
-------
6a+2 = -3
6a = -5
a = -5/6

Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Don't do anything with the absolute value quantity until you get rid of the coefficient outside of it. Further, absolute value bars are NOT parentheses, so you can't just willy-nilly distribute across them. The only thing left is do divide both sides by the coefficient outside. THEN you can drop the bars and make two equations.

or

By the way: Capital Is don't make good absolute value bars. Hold the shift key and type the backslash key (the one above the Enter key). That pipe symbol -- | -- makes a perfect absolute value bar.

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John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it

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