Question

Find x (steps pls)

| x - 7| = 2

(i dunt understand the | in the questions)

Answer 1

x = 5, x = 9

Explanation:

The absolute value function always gives a positive value, that is

| - a | = | a | = a

The expression inside the bars, however, can be positive or negative.

x - 7 = 2 or - (x - 7) = 2

Solving both equations

x - 7 = 2 ( add 7 to both sides )

x = 9

or

-(x - 7) = 2

- x + 7 = 2 ( subtract 7 from both sides )

- x = - 5 ( multiply both sides by - 1 )

x = 5

As a check

| 9 - 7 | = | 2 | - 2 ← True

| 5 - 7 | = | - 2 | = 2 ← True

Thus the solutions are x = 5, x = 9