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Solve for the absolute values. Please show the steps: |2x + 3| - 5 = 0

A. x = 1
B. x = -4
C. x = -2
D. x = 2

User Droidd
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To solve for the absolute values in the equation |2x + 3| - 5 = 0, we first isolate the absolute value, resulting in two possible scenarios. Solving both scenarios gives us the solutions x = 1 and x = -4, which correspond to answer choices A and B respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to solve for the absolute values of the equation |2x + 3| - 5 = 0. We can approach this by first isolating the absolute value expression:

  • Add 5 to both sides of the equation: |2x + 3| = 5.
  • There are two scenarios to consider since the absolute value of a number can be both negative and positive inside the absolute value sign. This leads to two separate equations: 2x + 3 = 5 and 2x + 3 = -5.
  • For 2x + 3 = 5: Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = 2, then divide by 2 to find x = 1.
  • For 2x + 3 = -5: Subtract 3 from both sides to get 2x = -8, then divide by 2 to find x = -4.

Therefore, the solutions for x are 1 and -4. Answer choices (A) x = 1 and (B) x = -4 are correct.

User Alexander Ryzhov
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