Question 399759
This symbol |x| denotes the absolute value of {{{x}}}. That is the number without its sign, like  |+3| = 3 and  |-3| = 3.

|r-8|=5......absolute value equation


Solve for x:

|r - 8| = 5

Solution:   


{{{r -8}}}  is the {{{argument}}}.  Either that argument will be {{{5}}}, or it will be {{{-5}}}.

{{{r -8 = 5}}},  or  {{{r -8 = -5}}}

We must solve these two equations.  The first implies

{{{r -8 = 5}}}

{{{r = 5+8}}}

{{{r = 13}}}

The second implies

{{{r -8 = -5}}}

{{{r = -5+8}}}

{{{r = 3}}}

These are the two solutions:  {{{r = 13}}} or {{{3}}}.