All PSAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Inequalities
|12x + 3y| < 15
What is the range of values for y, expressed in terms of x?
–5 – 4x < y < 5 – 4x
5 – 4x < y < 5 + 4x
y < 5 – 4x
5 + 4x < y < 5 – 4x
y > 15 – 12x
–5 – 4x < y < 5 – 4x
Recall that with absolute values and "less than" inequalities, we have to hold the following:
12x + 3y < 15
AND
12x + 3y > –15
Otherwise written, this is:
–15 < 12x + 3y < 15
In this form, we can solve for y. First, we have to subtract x from all 3 parts of the inequality:
–15 – 12x < 3y < 15 – 12x
Now, we have to divide each element by 3:
(–15 – 12x)/3 < y < (15 – 12x)/3
This simplifies to:
–5 – 4x < y < 5 – 4x
Example Question #1 : Inequalities
|4x + 14| > 30
What is a possible valid value of x?
1
4
–11
7
–3
7
This inequality could be rewritten as:
4x + 14 > 30 OR 4x + 14 < –30
Solve each for x:
4x + 14 > 30; 4x > 16; x > 4
4x + 14 < –30; 4x < –44; x < –11
Therefore, anything between –11 and 4 (inclusive) will not work. Hence, the answer is 7.
Example Question #1 : Inequalities
Given the inequality, |2x – 2| > 20,
what is a possible value for x?
11
–10
0
10
–8
–10
For this problem, we must take into account the absolute value.
First, we solve for 2x – 2 > 20. But we must also solve for 2x – 2 < –20 (please notice that we negate 20 and we also flip the inequality sign).
First step:
2x – 2 > 20
2x > 22
x > 11
Second step:
2x – 2 < –20
2x < –18
x < –9
Therefore, x > 11 and x < –9.
A possible value for x would be –10 since that is less than –9.
Note: the value 11 would not be a possible value for x because the inequality sign given does not include an equal sign.
Example Question #1 : Inequalities
Solve for .
Move +5 using subtraction rule which will give you.
Divide both sides by 2 (using division rule) and you will get which is the same as
Example Question #2 : Inequalities
If , which of the following MUST be true?
I.
II.
III.
I, II, and III
III only
II only
I only
I and II only
I only
Subtract 5 from both sides of the inequality:
Multiply both sides by 5:
Therefore only I must be true.
Example Question #4 : Inequalities
Which of the following is equivalent to ?
Solve for both x – 3 < 2 and –(x – 3) < 2.
x – 3 < 2 and –x + 3 < 2
x < 2 + 3 and –x < 2 – 3
x < 5 and –x < –1
x < 5 and x > 1
The results are x < 5 and x > 1.
Combine the two inequalities to get 1 < x < 5
Example Question #1 : Inequalities
Which of the following is a possible set of solutions to ?
Manipulate the inequality until is on a side by itself:
For this equation, must be less than 6. Find the answer choice with values all less than 6. In this case, it will be -1, 4, and 5.
Example Question #11 : New Sat Math Calculator
Given the inequality above, which of the following MUST be true?
Subtract from both sides:
Subtract 7 from both sides:
Divide both sides by :
Remember to switch the inequality when dividing by a negative number:
Since is not an answer, we must find an answer that, at the very least, does not contradict the fact that is less than (approximately) 4.67. Since any number that is less than 4.67 is also less than any number that is bigger than 4.67, we can be sure that is less than 5.
Example Question #2 : Inequalities
A factory packs cereal boxes. Before sealing each box, a machine weighs it to ensure that it is no lighter than 356 grams and no heavier than 364 grams. If the box holds grams of cereal, which inequality represents all allowable values of ?
The median weight of a box of cereal is 360 grams. This should be an allowable value of w. Substituting 360 for w into each answer choice, the only true results are:
and:
Notice that any positive value for w satisfies the second inequality above. Since w must be between 356 and 364, the first inequality above is the only reasonable choice.
Example Question #3 : How To Find The Solution To An Inequality With Addition
What values of x make the following statement true?
|x – 3| < 9
–12 < x < 6
–3 < x < 9
6 < x < 12
x < 12
–6 < x < 12
–6 < x < 12
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.