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!