x − 2x + 1 = 3
x – |2x + 1| = 3 or x – |2x + 1| = –3
x – 3 = |2x + 1| or x + 3 = |2x + 1|
x – 3 = 2x + 1 or 3 – x = 2x + 1 or x + 3 = 2x + 1 or 2x + 1 = –x – 3
x = –4 or 2/3 or –2 or –4/3
check
when x = –4 or 2/3 , x – 3 = |2x + 1| ≥ 0, no solution
when x = –2 or –4/3 , x + 3 = |2x + 1| ≥ 0, accepted
There are 2 real solutions.