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For how many integer values of x
[#permalink]
24 Dec 2021, 10:57
Given that |2x−5|+|x+1|+|x|<10 and we need to find how many integer values can x take
When we have multiple Absolute values in a problem then we need to reduce the number of cases. Let's see how to do that.
Lets find out the points on the number line where the values inside each absolute value will change sign. We can do that by putting each term inside the absolute value individually equal to zero.
For |2x-5| -> 2x-5 = 0 => x = \(\frac{5}{2}\) = 2.5 For |x+1| -> x+1 = 0 => x = -1 For |x| -> x = 0
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problem.JPG [ 20.43 KiB | Viewed 2720 times ]
Case 1: x < -1 Let's take any value of x < -1, lets say -2 and substitute and see whether the values inside the absolute value is +ve or -ve or 0
|2x−5|+|x+1|+|x|<10 => -(2x-5) - (x+1) -x < 10 => -2x + 5 -x - 1 -x < 10 => -4x < 10 -4 => -4x < 6 => x > \(\frac{-6}{4}\) => x > -1.5 And conditions was x < -1 So, intersection will be -1.5 < x < -1 => NO Integer solution in this range
Case 2: -1 ≤ x < 0 Let's take any value of x which satisfies -1 ≤ x < 0, lets say -0.5 and substitute and see whether the values inside the absolute value is +ve or -ve or 0
For |2x-5| -> (2*-0.5)-5 => -ve =>|2x-5| = -(2x-5) For |x+1| -> -0.5+1 => +ve => |x+1| = x+1 For |x| -> -0.5 => -ve => |x| = -x
|2x−5|+|x+1|+|x|<10 => -(2x-5) + (x+1) -x < 10 => -2x + 5 + x + 1 -x < 10 => -2x < 10 -6 => -2x < 4 => x > \(\frac{-4}{2}\) => x > -2 And conditions was -1 ≤ x < 0 So, intersection will be -1 ≤ x < 0 => x=-1 is an integer solution in this range
Case 3: 0 ≤ x < 2.5 Let's take any value of x which satisfies 0 ≤ x < 2.5, lets say 1 and substitute and see whether the values inside the absolute value is +ve or -ve or 0
For |2x-5| -> (2*1)-5 => -ve =>|2x-5| = -(2x-5) For |x+1| -> 1+1 => +ve => |x+1| = x+1 For |x| -> 1 => +ve => |x| = x
|2x−5|+|x+1|+|x|<10 => -(2x-5) + (x+1) + x < 10 => -2x + 5 + x + 1 + x < 10 => 6 < 10 Which is always true So, entire range 0 ≤ x < 2.5 is possible x=0, 1, 2 are integer solution in this range
Case 4: x ≥ 2.5 Let's take any value of x which satisfies x ≥ 2.5, lets say 10 and substitute and see whether the values inside the absolute value is +ve or -ve or 0
For |2x-5| -> (2*10)-5 => +ve =>|2x-5| = 2x-5 For |x+1| -> 10+1 => +ve => |x+1| = x+1 For |x| -> 10 => +ve => |x| = x
|2x−5|+|x+1|+|x|<10 => 2x-5 + (x+1) + x < 10 => 2x - 5 + x + 1 + x < 10 => 4x - 4 < 10 => 4x < 14 => x < \(\frac{14}{4}\) => x < 3.5 And conditions was x ≥ 2.5 So, intersection will be 2.5 ≤ x < 3.5=> x=3 is an integer solution in this range
So, integer values which are possible are -1 , 0, 1, 2, 3 => 5 values
So, Answer will be D Hope it helps!
Watch the following video to learn how to Solve Inequality + Absolute value Problems
Re: For how many integer values of x
[#permalink]
28 Oct 2025, 00:02
When we have these type of questions (multiple mods) and we want to make the expression adhere to a certain inequality (in this case less than 10), we need to find all the allowable values of x i.e. the interval within which x can take values. So is it advisable to open all mods with negative and then open all mods with positive at once, as Carcass did ? Will this always work and give the maximum possible range ?