Solve the absolute value equation 8 = |5-x|

Hello there!

8 = |5 - x|

Let's start by flipping the equation

|-x + 5| = 8

Now we need to solve for the absolute value

We know either - x + 5 = 8 or - x + 5 = - 8

Let's solve the first part

-x + 5 = 8

-x = 8 - 5

-x = 3

We can't leave the variable with a negative sign, we can divide both sides by - 1 or we can multiply both sides by - 1

Multiply both sides by - 1

-x * - 1 = 3 * - 1

x = - 3

Now let's solve the second possibilities

-x + 5 = - 8

-x = - 8 - 5

-x = - 13

Multiply both sides by - 1

-x * - 1 = - 13 * - 1

x = 13

Thus,

The answer is: x = - 3 or x=13

Good luck!