Solve for x |5x|=15

$| 5 x | = 15$

Step 1

Remove the absolute value term. This creates a $\pm$ on the right side of the equation because $| x | = \pm x$ .

$5 x = \pm 15$

Step 2

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$5 x = 15$

Divide each term in $5 x = 15$ by $5$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $5 x = 15$ by $5$ .

$\frac{5 x}{5} = \frac{15}{5}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $5$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{5 x}{5} = \frac{15}{5}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{15}{5}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $15$ by $5$ .

$x = 3$

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$5 x = - 15$

Divide each term in $5 x = - 15$ by $5$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $5 x = - 15$ by $5$ .

$\frac{5 x}{5} = \frac{- 15}{5}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $5$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{5 x}{5} = \frac{- 15}{5}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{- 15}{5}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $- 15$ by $5$ .

$x = - 3$

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = 3, - 3$