Josefina started to solve for x in the equation

3.5 = 1.9 – 0.8|2x – 0.6| using the steps below:
3.5 = 1.9 – 0.8|2x – 0.6|
1.6 = –0.8|2x – 0.6|
–2 = |2x – 0.6|
Why did Josefina stop at Step 3?

1 answer

Josefina stopped at Step 3 because the equation -2 = |2x - 0.6| has no solution. This is because the absolute value of any number is always a non-negative value, so it cannot equal a negative number like -2. This means that the original equation has no solution for x.