Question

How do you solve `-3+ | 5n - 5| = 22`?

Answer 1

`n = -4, 6`

Explanation:

Start by isolating the absolute value to one side of the equation. In our case, this would give `|5n - 5| = 25`. Note that this equation is true whenever `5n - 5` equals `25` or `-25`.

Set up two equations without the absolute value, one accounting for a possible positive value and the other for a possible negative value.

`5n - 5 = 25`
`5n - 5 = -25`

Solve these to obtain the solutions.

`5n - 5 = 25 -> 5n = 30 -> n = 6`
`5n-5 = -25 -> 5n = -20 -> n = -4`.

Thus, our solutions are `n = -4, 6`.