Question 72765
[5x+2]=3 Okay the paratheses should be just straight lines

It appears that you are dealing with an "absolute" value equation.  The absolute value of a number is always positive.  Take the equation:
[x]=5, then x=+5 and x=-5.  Lets look at your problem:

[5x+2]=3  in order to get rid of the absolute value sign, we need to break the equation into two components:

+(5x+2)=3 and -(5x+2)=3 In order to get the complete answer, we need to solve both equations for x

First
+(5x+2)=3  get rid of parens

5x+2=3  subtract 2 from both sides
5x+2-2=3-2 collect like terms
5x=1  divide both sides by 5
x=1/5----------------------------------one answer

Next
-(5x+2)=3  get rid of parens
-5x-2=3  add 2 to both sides

-5x-2+2=3+2  collect like terms
-5x=5  divide both sides by -5
x=-1--------------------------------the other answer

[5*(1/5)+2]=3
[1+2]=3
3=3

[5*(-1)+2]=3
[-5+2]=3
3=3

SINCE YOU ARE TAKING AN ONLINE COURSE, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU MAKE AS MUCH USE OF THE INTERNET FOR RESEARCH AS YOU CAN.  FOR EXAMPLE, DO A GOOGLE SEARCH ON "ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS" AND SEE WHAT YOU COME UP WITH. 


Hope this helps.-----------------ptaylor