Inequalities - SAT Math
Card 0 of 368
What values of x make the following statement true?
|x – 3| < 9
What values of x make the following statement true?
|x – 3| < 9
Solve the inequality by adding 3 to both sides to get x < 12. Since it is absolute value, x – 3 > –9 must also be solved by adding 3 to both sides so: x > –6 so combined.
Solve the inequality by adding 3 to both sides to get x < 12. Since it is absolute value, x – 3 > –9 must also be solved by adding 3 to both sides so: x > –6 so combined.
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|12x + 3y| < 15
What is the range of values for y, expressed in terms of x?
|12x + 3y| < 15
What is the range of values for y, expressed in terms of x?
Recall that with absolute values and "less than" inequalities, we have to hold the following:
12x + 3y < 15
AND
12x + 3y > –15
Otherwise written, this is:
–15 < 12x + 3y < 15
In this form, we can solve for y. First, we have to subtract x from all 3 parts of the inequality:
–15 – 12x < 3y < 15 – 12x
Now, we have to divide each element by 3:
(–15 – 12x)/3 < y < (15 – 12x)/3
This simplifies to:
–5 – 4x < y < 5 – 4x
Recall that with absolute values and "less than" inequalities, we have to hold the following:
12x + 3y < 15
AND
12x + 3y > –15
Otherwise written, this is:
–15 < 12x + 3y < 15
In this form, we can solve for y. First, we have to subtract x from all 3 parts of the inequality:
–15 – 12x < 3y < 15 – 12x
Now, we have to divide each element by 3:
(–15 – 12x)/3 < y < (15 – 12x)/3
This simplifies to:
–5 – 4x < y < 5 – 4x
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|4x + 14| > 30
What is a possible valid value of x?
|4x + 14| > 30
What is a possible valid value of x?
This inequality could be rewritten as:
4x + 14 > 30 OR 4x + 14 < –30
Solve each for x:
4x + 14 > 30; 4x > 16; x > 4
4x + 14 < –30; 4x < –44; x < –11
Therefore, anything between –11 and 4 (inclusive) will not work. Hence, the answer is 7.
This inequality could be rewritten as:
4x + 14 > 30 OR 4x + 14 < –30
Solve each for x:
4x + 14 > 30; 4x > 16; x > 4
4x + 14 < –30; 4x < –44; x < –11
Therefore, anything between –11 and 4 (inclusive) will not work. Hence, the answer is 7.
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Solve for
.

Solve for .
Absolute value problems always have two sides: one positive and one negative.
First, take the problem as is and drop the absolute value signs for the positive side: z – 3 ≥ 5. When the original inequality is multiplied by –1 we get z – 3 ≤ –5.
Solve each inequality separately to get z ≤ –2 or z ≥ 8 (the inequality sign flips when multiplying or dividing by a negative number).
We can verify the solution by substituting in 0 for z to see if we get a true or false statement. Since –3 ≥ 5 is always false we know we want the two outside inequalities, rather than their intersection.
Absolute value problems always have two sides: one positive and one negative.
First, take the problem as is and drop the absolute value signs for the positive side: z – 3 ≥ 5. When the original inequality is multiplied by –1 we get z – 3 ≤ –5.
Solve each inequality separately to get z ≤ –2 or z ≥ 8 (the inequality sign flips when multiplying or dividing by a negative number).
We can verify the solution by substituting in 0 for z to see if we get a true or false statement. Since –3 ≥ 5 is always false we know we want the two outside inequalities, rather than their intersection.
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If –1 < w < 1, all of the following must also be greater than –1 and less than 1 EXCEPT for which choice?
If –1 < w < 1, all of the following must also be greater than –1 and less than 1 EXCEPT for which choice?
3_w_/2 will become greater than 1 as soon as w is greater than two thirds. It will likewise become less than –1 as soon as w is less than negative two thirds. All the other options always return values between –1 and 1.
3_w_/2 will become greater than 1 as soon as w is greater than two thirds. It will likewise become less than –1 as soon as w is less than negative two thirds. All the other options always return values between –1 and 1.
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If
and
, then which of the following could be the value of
?
If and
, then which of the following could be the value of
?
To solve this problem, add the two equations together:





The only answer choice that satisfies this equation is 0, because 0 is less than 4.
To solve this problem, add the two equations together:
The only answer choice that satisfies this equation is 0, because 0 is less than 4.
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What values of
make the statement
true?
What values of make the statement
true?
First, solve the inequality
:



Since we are dealing with absolute value,
must also be true; therefore:



First, solve the inequality :
Since we are dealing with absolute value, must also be true; therefore:
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Solve: 
Solve:
To solve
, isolate
.

Divide by three on both sides.

To solve , isolate
.
Divide by three on both sides.
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Solve for
:

Solve for :
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.

We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.
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Solve for
.

Solve for .
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides. Remember to flip the sign.

We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides. Remember to flip the sign.
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Solve for
.

Solve for .
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
Subtract
on both sides.

We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
Subtract
on both sides.
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Solve for
.

Solve for .
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
We need to set-up two equations since its absolute value.
Subtract
on both sides. 
Divide
on both sides which flips the sign.
Subtract
on both sides. 
Since we have the
's being either greater than or less than the values, we can combine them to get
.
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
We need to set-up two equations since its absolute value.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides which flips the sign.
Subtract
on both sides.
Since we have the 's being either greater than or less than the values, we can combine them to get
.
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Given the inequality, |2_x_ – 2| > 20,
what is a possible value for x?
Given the inequality, |2_x_ – 2| > 20,
what is a possible value for x?
For this problem, we must take into account the absolute value.
First, we solve for 2_x_ – 2 > 20. But we must also solve for 2_x_ – 2 < –20 (please notice that we negate 20 and we also flip the inequality sign).
First step:
2_x_ – 2 > 20
2_x_ > 22
x > 11
Second step:
2_x_ – 2 < –20
2_x_ < –18
x < –9
Therefore, x > 11 and x < –9.
A possible value for x would be –10 since that is less than –9.
Note: the value 11 would not be a possible value for x because the inequality sign given does not include an equal sign.
For this problem, we must take into account the absolute value.
First, we solve for 2_x_ – 2 > 20. But we must also solve for 2_x_ – 2 < –20 (please notice that we negate 20 and we also flip the inequality sign).
First step:
2_x_ – 2 > 20
2_x_ > 22
x > 11
Second step:
2_x_ – 2 < –20
2_x_ < –18
x < –9
Therefore, x > 11 and x < –9.
A possible value for x would be –10 since that is less than –9.
Note: the value 11 would not be a possible value for x because the inequality sign given does not include an equal sign.
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Solve for
:

Solve for :
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
We need to set-up two equations since it's absolute value.
Subtract
on both sides.

Distribute the negative sign to each term in the parenthesis.
Add
and subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.
We must check each answer. Let's try
.
This is true therefore
is a correct answer. Let's next try
.
This is not true therefore
is not correct.
Final answer is just
.
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
We need to set-up two equations since it's absolute value.
Subtract
on both sides.
Distribute the negative sign to each term in the parenthesis.
Add
and subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.
We must check each answer. Let's try
.
This is true therefore
is a correct answer. Let's next try
.
This is not true therefore
is not correct.
Final answer is just .
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Solve for
.

Solve for .
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
We need to set-up two equations since it's absolute value.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.

Distribute the negative sign to each term in the parenthesis.
Add
and subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.
We must check each answer. Let's try
.
This is true therefore
is a correct answer. Let's next try
.
This is not true therefore
is not correct.
Final answer is just
.
We want to isolate the variable on one side and numbers on another side. Treat like a normal equation.
We need to set-up two equations since it's absolute value.
Subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.
Distribute the negative sign to each term in the parenthesis.
Add
and subtract
on both sides.
Divide
on both sides.
We must check each answer. Let's try
.
This is true therefore
is a correct answer. Let's next try
.
This is not true therefore
is not correct.
Final answer is just .
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Each of the following is equivalent to
xy/z * (5(x + y)) EXCEPT:
Each of the following is equivalent to
xy/z * (5(x + y)) EXCEPT:
Choice a is equivalent because we can say that technically we are multiplying two fractions together: (xy)/z and (5(x + y))/1. We multiply the numerators together and the denominators together and end up with xy (5x + 5y)/z. xy (5y + 5x)/z is also equivalent because it is only simplifying what is inside the parentheses and switching the order- the commutative property tells us this is still the same expression. 5x²y + 5xy²/z is equivalent as it is just a simplified version when the numerators are multiplied out. Choice 5x² + y²/z is not equivalent because it does not account for all the variables that were in the given expression and it does not use FOIL correctly.
Choice a is equivalent because we can say that technically we are multiplying two fractions together: (xy)/z and (5(x + y))/1. We multiply the numerators together and the denominators together and end up with xy (5x + 5y)/z. xy (5y + 5x)/z is also equivalent because it is only simplifying what is inside the parentheses and switching the order- the commutative property tells us this is still the same expression. 5x²y + 5xy²/z is equivalent as it is just a simplified version when the numerators are multiplied out. Choice 5x² + y²/z is not equivalent because it does not account for all the variables that were in the given expression and it does not use FOIL correctly.
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Let S be the set of numbers that contains all of values of x such that 2x + 4 < 8. Let T contain all of the values of x such that -2x +3 < 8. What is the sum of all of the integer values that belong to the intersection of S and T?
Let S be the set of numbers that contains all of values of x such that 2x + 4 < 8. Let T contain all of the values of x such that -2x +3 < 8. What is the sum of all of the integer values that belong to the intersection of S and T?
First, we need to find all of the values that are in the set S, and then we need to find the values in T. Once we do this, we must find the numbers in the intersection of S and T, which means we must find the values contained in BOTH sets S and T.
S contains all of the values of x such that 2x + 4 < 8. We need to solve this inequality.
2x + 4 < 8
Subtract 4 from both sides.
2x < 4
Divide by 2.
x < 2
Thus, S contains all of the values of x that are less than (but not equal to) 2.
Now, we need to do the same thing to find the values contained in T.
-2x + 3 < 8
Subtract 3 from both sides.
-2x < 5
Divide both sides by -2. Remember, when multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative number, we must switch the sign.
x > -5/2
Therefore, T contains all of the values of x that are greater than -5/2, or -2.5.
Next, we must find the values that are contained in both S and T. In order to be in both sets, these numbers must be less than 2, but also greater than -2.5. Thus, the intersection of S and T consists of all numbers between -2.5 and 2.
The question asks us to find the sum of the integers in the intersection of S and T. This means we must find all of the integers between -2.5 and 2.
The integers between -2.5 and 2 are the following: -2, -1, 0, and 1. We cannot include 2, because the values in S are LESS than but not equal to 2.
Lastly, we add up the values -2, -1, 0, and 1. The sum of these is -2.
The answer is -2.
First, we need to find all of the values that are in the set S, and then we need to find the values in T. Once we do this, we must find the numbers in the intersection of S and T, which means we must find the values contained in BOTH sets S and T.
S contains all of the values of x such that 2x + 4 < 8. We need to solve this inequality.
2x + 4 < 8
Subtract 4 from both sides.
2x < 4
Divide by 2.
x < 2
Thus, S contains all of the values of x that are less than (but not equal to) 2.
Now, we need to do the same thing to find the values contained in T.
-2x + 3 < 8
Subtract 3 from both sides.
-2x < 5
Divide both sides by -2. Remember, when multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative number, we must switch the sign.
x > -5/2
Therefore, T contains all of the values of x that are greater than -5/2, or -2.5.
Next, we must find the values that are contained in both S and T. In order to be in both sets, these numbers must be less than 2, but also greater than -2.5. Thus, the intersection of S and T consists of all numbers between -2.5 and 2.
The question asks us to find the sum of the integers in the intersection of S and T. This means we must find all of the integers between -2.5 and 2.
The integers between -2.5 and 2 are the following: -2, -1, 0, and 1. We cannot include 2, because the values in S are LESS than but not equal to 2.
Lastly, we add up the values -2, -1, 0, and 1. The sum of these is -2.
The answer is -2.
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What is the solution set of the inequality
?
What is the solution set of the inequality ?
We simplify this inequality similarly to how we would simplify an equation


Thus 
We simplify this inequality similarly to how we would simplify an equation
Thus
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What is a solution set of the inequality
?
What is a solution set of the inequality ?
In order to find the solution set, we solve
as we would an equation:



Therefore, the solution set is any value of
.
In order to find the solution set, we solve as we would an equation:
Therefore, the solution set is any value of .
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Which of the following could be a value of
, given the following inequality?

Which of the following could be a value of , given the following inequality?
The inequality that is presented in the problem is:

Start by moving your variables to one side of the inequality and all other numbers to the other side:


Divide both sides of the equation by
. Remember to flip the direction of the inequality's sign since you are dividing by a negative number!

Reduce:

The only answer choice with a value greater than
is
.
The inequality that is presented in the problem is:
Start by moving your variables to one side of the inequality and all other numbers to the other side:
Divide both sides of the equation by . Remember to flip the direction of the inequality's sign since you are dividing by a negative number!
Reduce:
The only answer choice with a value greater than is
.
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