Question

Difficulty: EasyReal Numbers, Number Line, and Absolute Value

On the real number line, xx is a real number such that ∣x+2∣≤5|x + 2| \le 5. Which of the following could be the value of xx? Select all such values.

  1. A
    −8-8
  2. −7-7Answer
  3. 00Answer
  4. 33Answer
  5. E
    44

Answer

The values that satisfy the inequality are −7-7, 00, and 33.
The inequality ∣x+2∣≤5|x + 2| \le 5 represents all real numbers xx whose distance from −2-2 on the number line is at most 55. This gives the closed interval [−7,3][-7, 3]. The values −7-7, 00, and 33 all fall within this range.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Set up the compound inequality for the absolute value expression.
−5≤x+2≤5-5 \le x + 2 \le 5
For any real number expression AA and non-negative constant kk, ∣A∣≤k|A| \le k is equivalent to −k≤A≤k-k \le A \le k.
2
Isolate xx by subtracting 22 from all parts of the inequality.
−5−2≤x≤5−2  ⟹  −7≤x≤3-5 - 2 \le x \le 5 - 2 \implies -7 \le x \le 3
Subtracting a constant from all parts preserves the inequality signs.
3
Evaluate which given choices lie within the interval [−7,3][-7, 3].
−7-7, 00, and 33 lie within [−7,3][-7, 3], while −8-8 and 44 lie outside.
Only values inside or on the boundaries of [−7,3][-7, 3] satisfy the inequality.

Key Concept

Absolute Value Inequalities and Real Number Line Distance
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