All SAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Inequalities
What is the solution set of the inequality ?
We simplify this inequality similarly to how we would simplify an equation
Thus
Example Question #6 : Inequalities
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 .
Example Question #2 : How To Find The Solution To An Inequality With Division
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 .
Example Question #3 : How To Find The Solution To An Inequality With Division
If and , which of the following gives the set of possible values of ?
To get the lowest value, you need the lowest numerator and the highest denominator. That would be or reduced to be . For the highest value, you need the highest numerator and the lowest denominator. That would be or .
Example Question #161 : Algebra
Give the solution set of this inequality:
The inequality has no solution.
The inequality can be rewritten as the three-part inequality
Isolate the in the middle expression by performing the same operations in all three expressions. Subtract 32 from each expression:
Divide each expression by , switching the direction of the inequality symbols:
This can be rewritten in interval notation as .
Example Question #161 : Algebra
Give the solution set of this inequality:
The inequality has no solution.
The inequality has no solution.
In an absolute value inequality, the absolute value expression must be isolated first, as follows:
Adding 12 to both sides:
Multiplying both sides by , and switching the inequality symbol due to multiplication by a negative number:
We do not need to go further. An absolute value expression must always be greater than or equal to 0; it is impossible for the expression to be less than any negative number. The inequality has no solution.
Example Question #1 : How To Find A Solution Set
Find the sum of all of the integer values of x that satisfy the following inequality:
|4 – 2x| < 5
9
1
6
10
4
10
In general, when we take the absolute value of a quantity, we can represent it as either itself, or as its additive inverse.
In other words, |x| = x (if x > 0) or |x| = –x (if x < 0).
Therefore, we can represent |4 – 2x| as either 4 – 2x or as –(4 – 2x). We must consider both of these cases and solve for x. Let’s us first consider the case that |4 – 2x| = 4 – 2x.
4 – 2x < 5
We can add 2x to both sides
4 < 2x + 5
Then subtract 5 from both sides.
–1 < 2x
Divide by 2.
–1/2 < x
x > –0.5
Now, we consider the case that |4 – 2x | = –(4 – 2x).
–(4 – 2x) < 5
Multiply both sides by negative one. Remember, whenever we multiply or divide an inequality by a negative number, we must flip the inequality sign.
4 – 2x > –5
Add 2x to both sides.
4 > 2x – 5
Add 5 to both sides.
9 > 2x
Divide by 2,
9/2 > x
4.5 > x
This means that the values of x that satisfy the original quality must be greater than -0.5 AND less than 4.5.
The question asks us to find the sum of the integer values of x that satisfy the inequality. The only integers between -0.5 and 4.5 are the following: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The sum of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 is 10.
The answer is 10.
Example Question #2 : Solution Sets
How many distinct solutions does the following polynomial have?
x(x2 – 14x + 49) = 0
1
3
2
4
3.5
2
There are 3 solutions: 0, 7, 7.
The correct answer is 2 distinct solutions, however, because 7 occurs twice. So the two distinct solutions are 0 and 7.
Example Question #1 : Solution Sets
Solve x2 – 48 = 0.
x = 4√3 or x = –4√3
x = 0
x = 4√3
x = –√48
x = 4 or x = –4
x = 4√3 or x = –4√3
No common terms cancel out, and this isn't a difference of squares.
Let's move the 48 to the other side: x2 = 48
Now take the square root of both sides: x = √48 or x = –√48. Don't forget the second (negative) solution!
Now √48 = √(3*16) = √(3*42) = 4√3, so the answer is x = 4√3 or x = –4√3.
Example Question #2 : Solution Sets
What is the sum of all solutions to the equation
?
If , then either
or .
These two equations yield and as answers.
Certified Tutor