In the xy-plane, a point with coordinates (x, y) lies in the solution set of the system of… — SAT

In the $xy$ -plane, a point with coordinates $(x, y)$ lies in the solution set of the system of inequalities below.

y \leq -x + 7

y \geq 2x - 5

y \geq 0

What is the maximum possible value of $x$ ?

A
3
4Answer
C
7
D
2.5

Answer

The maximum possible value of

x

is 4.

To find the maximum possible value of

x

in the solution set, we analyze the boundaries of the system. The inequality

y \leq -x + 7

can be rewritten as

x \leq 7 - y

. The inequality

y \geq 2x - 5

can be rewritten as

x \leq 0.5y + 2.5

. For any point in the solution set,

x

must be less than or equal to both

7 - y

and

0.5y + 2.5

. Since

y \geq 0

, the maximum value of

x

will occur where these two upper bounds are equal:

7 - y = 0.5y + 2.5

, which simplifies to

1.5y = 4.5

, or

y = 3

. Substituting

y = 3

back into either equation gives

x = 4

. For any

y > 3

x \leq 7 - y < 4

. For any

y < 3

x \leq 0.5y + 2.5 < 4

. Thus, the maximum possible value of

x

is 4.

Step-by-Step Solution

Express the boundaries of

x

in terms of

y

from the given inequalities.

x \leq 7 - y

and

x \leq 0.5y + 2.5

To find the upper limits on

x

, we solve each inequality for

x

Find the intersection point of the two boundary lines by setting the expressions equal to each other.

7 - y = 0.5y + 2.5 \implies 1.5y = 4.5 \implies y = 3

. Substituting

y = 3

gives

x = 4

The maximum value of

x

occurs at the intersection of the two boundary constraints since one boundary increases with

y

and the other decreases with

y

Verify that the intersection point

(4, 3)

satisfies all three inequalities.

3 \leq -4 + 7

(true),

3 \geq 2(4) - 5

(true), and

3 \geq 0

(true).

Ensuring the point lies within the solution set confirms it is a valid maximum.

Key Concept

Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

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