How to find the solution to an inequality with addition

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PSAT Math › How to find the solution to an inequality with addition

Questions 1 - 6
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

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

If , which of the following could be a value of ?

-

Explanation

In order to solve this inequality, you must isolate on one side of the equation.

Therefore, the only option that solves the inequality is .

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