Question

Below are the steps to solve an equation:

Step 1: |x − 5| + 2 = 5
Step 2: |x − 5| = 5 − 2
Step 3: |x − 5| = 3

Which of the following is a correct next step to solve the equation?

Answer 1

You split the abs val into a pos and neg soln to write

x–5 = 3 and x–5 = –3
x = 8 and x = 2

Answer 2

C. x - 5= -3

Explanation:

Step 1: |x - 5| +2-2 =5-2

Step 2: |x - 5| = 5-2

Step 3: |x - 5| = 3

Step 4: x - 5 = -3

Step 5: x - 5+5 = -3+5

x = 2