Solve the Absolute Value Equation: |-2x| = 16

Question

2x=16 \left|-2x\right|=16

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 2x=16 \left|-2x\right|=16 , we consider the definition of absolute value:

1. The expression inside the absolute value can be either positive or negative, but its absolute value is always positive.

2. Therefore, we set up two equations to solve:

2x=16 -2x = 16 and 2x=16 -2x = -16

3. Solving the first equation:

2x=16 -2x = 16

4. Divide both sides by -2:

x=8 x = -8

5. Solving the second equation:

2x=16 -2x = -16

6. Divide both sides by -2:

x=8 x = 8

7. Therefore, the solution is:

x=8 x=-8 , x=8 x=8

Answer

x=8 x=-8 , x=8 x=8