Question

Difficulty: MediumLinear Inequalities and Absolute Value

If xx is an integer that satisfies both 2x59|2x - 5| \le 9 and 3x<53 - x < 5, how many possible values of xx exist?

  1. A
    4
  2. B
    8
  3. 9Answer
  4. D
    10
  5. E
    0

Answer

There are 9 possible integer values for x.
Solving 2x59|2x - 5| \le 9 gives 2x7-2 \le x \le 7. Solving 3x<53 - x < 5 gives x>2x > -2. Taking the intersection yields 2<x7-2 < x \le 7. The integers in this interval are 1,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7-1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, amounting to 9 values in total.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Solve the absolute value inequality 2x59|2x - 5| \le 9
2x7-2 \le x \le 7
Unfold 2x59|2x - 5| \le 9 as 92x59-9 \le 2x - 5 \le 9, add 5 to obtain 42x14-4 \le 2x \le 14, and divide by 2.
2
Solve the linear inequality 3x<53 - x < 5
x>2x > -2
Subtract 3 to get x<2-x < 2, then divide by 1-1 and reverse the inequality symbol.
3
Determine the intersection of both inequalities
2<x7-2 < x \le 7
Combine 2x7-2 \le x \le 7 and x>2x > -2 on the real number line.
4
Count the integer values within the intersection 2<x7-2 < x \le 7
9 integer values
The valid integers are 1,0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7-1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, giving a total count of 7(1)+1=97 - (-1) + 1 = 9.

Key Concept

Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Bounds
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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