The Equation |x| = 3

The equation $\left|x\right| = 3$ asks which numbers are three steps from zero. There are two of them, 3 and -3. An absolute value equation usually has two solutions, one on each side of zero:

$$x = 3$$

or

$$x = -3$$

The one equation $\left|x\right| = 3$ splits into two ordinary equations, and both answers count. Check each one: $\left|3\right| = 3$ and $\left|-3\right| = 3$.

To solve an absolute value equation, split it into two cases: $\left|u\right| = c$ becomes $u = c$ or $u = -c$. After the split, each case is an ordinary equation. Solve each case the way you already know, and keep both answers.