Question

For which equations below is x = –3 a possible solution? Select three options.

|x| = 3
|x| = –3
|–x| = 3
|–x| = –3
–|x| = –3

Answer 1

Plug x = −3 into each:

- |x| = 3 → |−3| = 3 → 3 = 3 (true)
- |x| = −3 → |−3| = −3 → 3 = −3 (false)
- |−x| = 3 → |−(−3)| = |3| = 3 → 3 = 3 (true)
- |−x| = −3 → |3| = −3 → 3 = −3 (false)
- −|x| = −3 → −|−3| = −3 → −3 = −3 (true)

So the three true equations are: |x| = 3; |−x| = 3; −|x| = −3.