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What value of x makes the equation |7-x|+4=2x+5 true?

User Lockdown
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To solve |7-x|+4=2x+5, one must consider the two cases of the absolute value expression. Only one value of x, specifically x = 2, satisfies the original equation. The value x = -8 does not, as it fails to meet the required conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation |7-x|+4=2x+5, we need to consider both cases for the absolute value, one where 7-x is positive, and one where 7-x is negative. Starting with the first case, for 7 - x ≥ 0, the equation simplifies to:

7 - x + 4 = 2x + 5

Rearrange and solve for x:

7 + 4 - 5 = 2x + x

6 = 3x

x = 2

For the second case, for 7 - x < 0, we consider the equation:

-(7 - x) + 4 = 2x + 5

-7 + x + 4 = 2x + 5

-3 = x + 5

x = -8

However, if we substitute x = -8 back into the original equation, we find that it does not satisfy the condition 7 - x < 0. Therefore, x = -8 is not a solution to the equation. The only solution is x = 2, which we can check by substituting back into the original equation:

|7 - 2| + 4 = 2 × 2 + 5

|5| + 4 = 4 + 5

5 + 4 = 9

9 = 9

The solution x = 2 validates the equation, hence it is the correct answer.

User Thomas Kuhlmann
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