How do you solve #abs(y - 5)- 2 = 10#?

1 Answer
Apr 3, 2015

If we want a #y# to make #abs(y - 5)- 2 = 10#, we'll need a #y# that makes #abs(y - 5) = 12#. (Add 2 to both sides.)

There are two numbers whose absolute value is 12, namely 12 and - 12.

So we need either: #y-5 = 12# and #y=17#

or #y-5=-12# so #y = - 7#

Check both answers (to make sure neither is extraneous).
Both are OK, so they are the solutions.