SOLUTION: Please answer this equation: 4 + 3 |5 - x| = 154

Algebra ->  Absolute-value -> SOLUTION: Please answer this equation: 4 + 3 |5 - x| = 154      Log On


   

Question 717066: Please answer this equation: 4 + 3 |5 - x| = 154
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
4+%2B+3%2Aabs%285+-+x%29+=+154
First, isolate the absolute value. Subtracting 4:
3%2Aabs%285+-+x%29+=+150
and divide by 3:
abs%285+-+x%29+=+50

With the absolute value isolated, we now rewrite the equation as two equivalent equations without absolute value. If the absolute value of something is 50 then it must be either a 50 or a -50:
5-x+=+50 or 5-x+=+-50
With the x out of the absolute value, we can now solve for it. Subtracting 5 in each equation:
-x+=+45 or -x+=+-55
Dividing (or multiplying) by -1:
x+=+-45 or x+=+55