Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 13:50 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 13:50
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,818
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,818
Kudos: 811,065
 [11]
Kudos
Add Kudos
11
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,733
Own Kudos:
36,459
 [1]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,733
Kudos: 36,459
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
100mitra
Joined: 29 Apr 2019
Last visit: 06 Jul 2022
Posts: 707
Own Kudos:
634
 [2]
Given Kudos: 49
Status:Learning
Posts: 707
Kudos: 634
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Fdambro294
Joined: 10 Jul 2019
Last visit: 20 Aug 2025
Posts: 1,331
Own Kudos:
772
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1,656
Posts: 1,331
Kudos: 772
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Sum of all the possible values of X

Property 1: [A - B] = [B -A]

Thus we can rearrange the equation:

2 * [X - 2] = 5

Divide both sides of the equation by 2

[X - 2] = 2.5

Translation: “on the number line, The distanced from X to +2 is exactly 2.5 units in both directions.”

X = 4.5

Or

X = -0.5

Sum of all the possible values of X:

(4.5) + (-0.5) = 4

Answer D
4

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
ktzsikka
Joined: 28 Apr 2021
Last visit: 27 Mar 2025
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
444
 [2]
Given Kudos: 125
Location: India
WE:Engineering (Energy)
Posts: 150
Kudos: 444
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BrentGMATPrepNow
Bunuel
If 2|2 –x| = 5, what is the sum of all the possible values for x ?

A. 1/2
B. 2
C. 5/2
D. 4
E. 5

None of the above.
If 2|2–x| = 5, then x = -0.5 or x = 4.5

Why none of the above. Shouldn't it be option D=4.
As \(-0.5+4.5=4.0\)

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,733
Own Kudos:
36,459
 [1]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,733
Kudos: 36,459
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ktzsikka

Why none of the above. Shouldn't it be option D=4.
As \(-0.5+4.5=4.0\)

Posted from my mobile device

You're absolutely right. I totally misread the question.
I have edited my response accordingly.

Kudos for you!!
User avatar
Kinshook
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 5,986
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 163
Location: India
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
WE:Engineering (Transportation)
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 5,986
Kudos: 5,859
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Asked: If 2|2 –x| = 5, what is the sum of all the possible values for x ?

|x-2| = 2.5
x = 4.5 or -.5
Sum of all the possible values of x = 4.5 + (-.5) = 4

IMO D
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 8,629
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
Products:
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,629
Kudos: 5,190
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
2|2 –x| = 5
value of x
4-2x=5
-2x=1
x=-1/2
and
-4+2x=5
2x=9
x=9/2

sum of -1/2+9/2 ; 8/2 ; 4
option D

Bunuel
If 2|2 –x| = 5, what is the sum of all the possible values for x ?

A. 1/2
B. 2
C. 5/2
D. 4
E. 5
avatar
yoginipatil12
Joined: 23 Oct 2021
Last visit: 23 Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Option D
2|2 –x| = 5
value of x
4-2x=5
-2x=1
x=-1/2
and
-4+2x=5
2x=9
x=9/2

sum of -1/2+9/2 ; 8/2 ; 4
option D

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
BrushMyQuant
Joined: 05 Apr 2011
Last visit: 03 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,286
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 100
Status:Tutor - BrushMyQuant
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
GPA: 3
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
Posts: 2,286
Kudos: 2,680
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Given that 2|2 –x| = 5 and we need to find the sum of all the possible values for x

2|2 –x| = 5
=> | 2-x| = \(\frac{5}{2}\) = 2.5

Let's solve the problem using three methods

Method 1: Substitution

|2-x| = 2.5
=> 2-x = ± 2.5
=> x can be -0.5 or 4.5

Sum of all possible values of x = -0.5 + 4.5 = 4

Method 2: Algebra

2|2 –x| = 5
=> |2-x| = \(\frac{5}{2}\) = 2.5

Watch this video to Master Absolute Value

As we have |2-x| in the equation so we will have two cases
-Case 1: 2-x ≥ 0 => x ≤ 2

=> |2-x| = 2-x
=> 2-x = 2.5
=> x = -0.5

But condition was x ≤ 2 and -0.5 ≤ 2
=> x = -0.5 is a SOLUTION
-Case 2: 2-x ≤ 0 => x ≥ 2

=> |2-x| = -(2-x) = x - 2
=> x - 2 = 2.5
=> x = 4.5

But condition was x ≥ 2 and 4.5 ≥ 2
=> x = 4.5 is a SOLUTION

=> Sum of all possible values of x = -0.5 + 4.5 = 4

Method 3: Graphical Method

|2-x| = 2.5
|2 -x | means the distance between x and 2
|2-x| = 2.5 => Distance between x and 2 = 2.5

Attachment:
image.JPG
image.JPG [ 18.85 KiB | Viewed 5890 times ]

So, x can be 2.5 to the left or to the right of 2
=> x = -0.5 or x = 4.5

So, Answer will be D
Hope it helps!

Watch the following video to learn How to Solve Absolute Value Problems

User avatar
GMATWhizTeam
User avatar
GMATWhiz Representative
Joined: 07 May 2019
Last visit: 17 Mar 2026
Posts: 3,374
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 70
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Posts: 3,374
Kudos: 2,193
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
It is given that 2 | 2 -x | = 5.

The equation can be reorganised to bring all the constants on to one side. Therefore,
|2 – x| = \(\frac{5 }{ 2}\).

This means the expression (2 – x) = \(\frac{ 5 }{ 2}\) or (2 – x) = - \(\frac{5 }{ 2}\)

When (2 – x) = \(\frac{5 }{ 2}\), x = - \(\frac{1 }{ 2}\).

When (2 – x) = - \(\frac{5 }{ 2}\), x = \(\frac{9 }{ 2}\).

The sum of the values of x = \(\frac{9 }{ 2}\) – \(\frac{1}{ 2}\) = \(\frac{8 }{ 2}\) = 4

The correct answer option is D.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,974
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,974
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109818 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts