SOLUTION: I am trying to figure out this equation. 8-|x+2|=5 I am using my math lab and tried to use the view an example solution which ended up being the exact same equation and I kn

Question 830963: I am trying to figure out this equation.
8-|x+2|=5
I am using my math lab and tried to use the view an example solution which ended up being the exact same equation and I know the answer is X=-5,1 but I dont understand when you try to get the absolute value by its self how you Isolate with the way the equation is written. I know that you could read the equation like this 8(-1)|x+2|=5 but when I look at the example the answer they recieve is |x+2|=3 and I am very confused because it did not show me the steps on how it got to this point. can you please help me understand this process. Thank you!
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, rothauserc:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
8-|x+2|=5 and 8(-1)|x+2|=5 are not the same equation; they are not equivalent. That could be what is confusing you. The second of those two would be -8*|x+2|=5.

If you are given the first equation:

-
Consider the conditions of x+2 being positive or zero; and of being negative.
-
, then

-
, then

-
-
You SHOULD check each of these solutions for x in the original (given) equation to see if either of them fails as a solution. x=-5 will work. Actually, x=1 will also work.

Note that in most absolute value EQUATIONS, you can treat the absolute value as a variable until it is isolated to be analyzed more closely.
Answer by rothauserc(4718) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
8-|x+2|=5
subtract 8 from both sides of =
-|x+2| = -3
divide both sides of = by -
|x+2| = 3
there are two cases
1) x+2 = 3
x = 1
2) -x-2 = 3
-x = 5
x = -5
therefore x = -5, 1

RELATED QUESTIONS
I am trying to help my nephew figure out how to solve an equation 3(x+2)=4(5+x) I... (answered by Earlsdon)
Can someone show me how to work the following problem and graph it? I am trying to... (answered by stanbon,solver91311)
x/5 - y/10 = 4 x/2 + y/4 = 5 Solve the system of equation using the addition... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
I'm trying to figure this equation out. Solving using the elimination method. I need to (answered by sdmmadam@yahoo.com)
I am trying to figure out how to solve this math equation: 4x - (3x + 5) = -2 It... (answered by josgarithmetic,Shin123)
Hello, I'm taking Calculus online and have a homework problem I'm having trouble with. (answered by Alan3354)
I am trying to figure out this math equation 2x-x=x Please help! Thank you very... (answered by rchill)
I am trying to figure out what method to use and I am stumped. I've tried the Quadratic... (answered by Alan3354)
Hello, I am trying to figure out how to graph this following equation. y=(x-2)^2(x+5)... (answered by josgarithmetic)