SOLUTION: 9|x-2|=54 My work 9|x-2|=54 -9 -9 ----------- |x-2|= 45 now I'm stumped b/c I don't know what to do next....thanks

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Question 52808: 9|x-2|=54
My work
9|x-2|=54
-9 -9
------------
|x-2|= 45
now I'm stumped b/c I don't know what to do next....thanks
Answer by funmath(2933) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Your first step should have been division and not subtraction:
9|x-2|=54
(9|x-2|)/9=54/9
|x-2|=6
With absolute values, you have to solve the equation twice. Once assuming the inside of the absolute value to be positive, and once assuming the inside of the absolute value to be negative:
x-2=6
x-2+2=6+2
x=8
or
x-2=-6
x-2+2=-6+2
x=-4
Answer: x=8 or x=-4
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Check:
For x=8
9|8-2|=54
9|6|=54
9(6)=54
54=54 yes!!!!
For x=-4
9|-4-2|=54
9|-6|=54
9(6)=54
54=54 yes again!!!!
The answer really is: x=8 or x=-4