GRE Prep Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Sep 28Live Online Class with Top GRE Expert Mike Butville
08:00 PM EDT
-10:00 PM EDT
Top scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GRE course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP GRE OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon/Wed Sept. 28, 2026 - Dec. 9, 2026, 8:00pm-10:00pm EST
3 |x - 4| = 16
[#permalink]
23 Jul 2018, 09:36
23 Jul 2018, 09:36
1
Expert Reply
4
Bookmarks
00:00
Question Stats:
69% (01:03) correct
30% (01:00) wrong based on 242 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics
\(3 |x - 4| = 16\)
A) Quantity A is greater.
B) Quantity B is greater.
C) The two quantities are equal.
D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Kudos for R.A.E
Quantity A |
Quantity B |
\(x\) |
\(\frac{28}{3}\) |
A) Quantity A is greater.
B) Quantity B is greater.
C) The two quantities are equal.
D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Kudos for R.A.E
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Given Kudos: 136
Re: 3 |x - 4| = 16
[#permalink]
12 Aug 2018, 07:40
12 Aug 2018, 07:40
4
3
Bookmarks
Carcass wrote:
\(3 |x - 4| = 16\)
Quantity A |
Quantity B |
\(x\) |
\(\frac{28}{3}\) |
There are 3 steps to solving equations involving ABSOLUTE VALUE:
1. Apply the rule that says: If |x| = k, then x = k and/or x = -k
2. Solve the resulting equations
3. Plug solutions into original equation to check for extraneous roots
GIVEN: 3|x - 4| = 16
Divide both sides by 3 to get: |x - 4| = 16/3
Based on the above rule, we get TWO possible equations: x - 4 = 16/3 and x - 4 = -16/3
Let's solve each equation...
Take: x - 4 = 16/3
Add 4 to both sides to get: x = 16/3 + 4
Rewrite with common denominator: x = 16/3 + 12/3
Combine fractions to get: x = 28/3
In this case, the two quantities are EQUAL
Take: x - 4 = -16/3
Add 4 to both sides to get: x = -16/3 + 4
Rewrite with common denominator: x = -16/3 + 12/3
Combine fractions to get: x = -4/3
In this case, the two Quantity B IS GREATER
Answer: D
General Discussion
3 |x - 4| = 16
[#permalink]
27 Feb 2023, 23:11
27 Feb 2023, 23:11
1
The trap here is C (both values being 28 / 3) for students who don't test both the positive and negative cases.
