Question

The table shows the solution to the equation |2x − 5| − 2 = 3: Step 1 |2x − 5| = 3 + 2 Step 2 |2x − 5| = 5 Step 3 2x − 5 = 5 or 2x − 5 = −5 Step 4 2x = 10 or 2x = 0 Step 5 x = 5 or x = 0 Which is the first incorrect step?

Answer 1

 |2x − 5| − 2 = 3
1) |2x − 5|  = 3 +2
2) |2x − 5| = 5  
3) 2x-5 = 5, or 2x-5= -5
4)2x=10, or 2x=0
5) x = 5 , or x = 0

Check:
 |2x − 5| − 2 = 3
 |2*5− 5| − 2 = 3 or  |2*0 − 5| − 2 = 3
|5|-2=3               or   |-5| -2 =3
3=3 (true)           or    3=3 (true)

All steps are correct.