How to find the solution to an inequality with addition

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GRE Quantitative Reasoning › How to find the solution to an inequality with addition

Questions 1 - 9
1

What values of make the statement true?

Explanation

First, solve the inequality :

Since we are dealing with absolute value, must also be true; therefore:

2

If –1 < w < 1, all of the following must also be greater than –1 and less than 1 EXCEPT for which choice?

|w|

_w_2

|w|0.5

w/2

3_w_/2

Explanation

3_w_/2 will become greater than 1 as soon as w is greater than two thirds. It will likewise become less than –1 as soon as w is less than negative two thirds. All the other options always return values between –1 and 1.

3

Quantitative Comparison

Quantity A: 3_x_ + 4_y_

Quantity B: 4_x_ + 3_y_

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation

The question does not give us any specifics about the variables x and y.

If we substitute the same numbers for x and y (say, x = 1 and y = 1), the two expressions are equal.

If we substitute different number in for x and y (say, x = 2 and y = 1), the two expressions are not equal.

If there are two possible outcomes, then we need more information to determine which quantity is greater. Don't be afraid to pick "The relationship cannot be determined from the information given" as an answer choice on the GRE!

4

Let be an integer such that .

Quantity A:

Quantity B:

Quantity A and Quantity B are equal.

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation

The expression can be rewritten as .

The only integer that satisfies the inequality is 0.

Thus, Quantity A and Quantity B are equal.

5

Find all solutions of the inequality .

All ..

All .

All .

All .

All .

Explanation

Start by subtracting 3 from each side of the inequality. That gives us . Divide both sides by 2 to get . Therefore every value for where is a solution to the original inequality.

6

Find all solutions of the inequality .

All .

All .

All .

All .

All .

Explanation

Start by subtracting 13 from each side. This gives us . Then subtract from each side. This gives us . Divide both sides by 2 to get . Therefore all values of where will satisfy the original inequality.

7

If x+1< 4 and y-2<-1 , then which of the following could be the value of ?

Explanation

To solve this problem, add the two equations together:

x+1<4

y-2<-1

x+1+y-2<4-1

x+y-1<3

x+y<4

The only answer choice that satisfies this equation is 0, because 0 is less than 4.

8

What values of x make the following statement true?

|x – 3| < 9

x < 12

–6 < x < 12

–12 < x < 6

–3 < x < 9

6 < x < 12

Explanation

Solve the inequality by adding 3 to both sides to get x < 12. Since it is absolute value, x – 3 > –9 must also be solved by adding 3 to both sides so: x > –6 so combined.

9

Solve for .

Explanation

Absolute value problems always have two sides: one positive and one negative.

First, take the problem as is and drop the absolute value signs for the positive side: z – 3 ≥ 5. When the original inequality is multiplied by –1 we get z – 3 ≤ –5.

Solve each inequality separately to get z ≤ –2 or z ≥ 8 (the inequality sign flips when multiplying or dividing by a negative number).

We can verify the solution by substituting in 0 for z to see if we get a true or false statement. Since –3 ≥ 5 is always false we know we want the two outside inequalities, rather than their intersection.

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