Solve: | x-3 | + 2 = −3

|x−3|+2=−3|x-3|+2=-3

Move all terms not containing |x−3||x-3| to the right side of the equation.

|x−3|=−5

Remove the absolute value term. This creates a ±± on the right side of the equation because |x|=±x|x|=±x.

x−3=±(−5)

Set up the positive portion of the ± solution.

x−3=−5

Move all terms not containing x to the right side of the equation.

x= −2

Set up the negative portion of the ± solution.

x−3 =5

Move all terms not containing x to the right side of the equation.

x=8

The solution to the equation includes both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

x=−2, 8