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# 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both

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Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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27 Oct 2010, 02:55
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Following are 2 sums having both Inequality and Modulus function.
I cannot provide options here, as I picked it from a book giving only the correct answer.

The problem is not in the questions itself, but in the principles that one applies across the 2 problems.
I am not able to grasp a common way of solving them both.

Here it goes:

Q.1> Solve for x,
if |x-2| <= 2 and |x+3| >= 4.

Q.2> Solve for x,
if |x^2 + 3x| + x^2 - 2 >= 0.

I'll confirm and provide the correct answers as soon somebody explains it.

Cheers
R J

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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27 Oct 2010, 11:53
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Expert's post
Solving such equations is very convenient and quick using graphs. I have attached a pdf to show how to solve the first one using graphs. If you understand how it is solved, let me know and I will send the solution of the second one using graphs too. If it is not clear, I will give a quick recap of graph theory for mods.

Attachment:
Graph of Mod Theory.pdf [275.16 KiB]

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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Kudos [?]: 16894 [2], given: 230 Manager Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Posts: 57 Kudos [?]: 56 [1], given: 0 Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 07:59 1 This post received KUDOS Q1: ---- |x-2| <= 2 and |x+3| >= 4. boundary point 2 and -3 so we need to check for 3 ranges: 1) when X >=2 2) when -3 < X < 2 3) when X < -3 from 1: |x-2| = X-2 < = 2 => X <= 4 . So That means X = 2,3,4 |x+3| = x+3 >=4, So x >=1 . So as we have assumed X >=2, the soultion is x = 2,3,4... Combining both : That means X = 2,3,4 --- A from 2: |x-2| = 2-x < = 2 => 0 <= X . So That means X = 0,1 as X < 2 |x+3| = x+3 >=4,So x >=1 . So as we have assumed X < 2, the soultion is x = 1 Combining both : That means X = 1 --- B from 3: |x-2| = 2-x < = 2 => 0 <= X . So That means X = 0,1 . This is false as we assumed X < -3 So this value is discarded. So from 1 and 2, the values of x are: 1,2,3,4 (give me a kudo if you like it) Kudos [?]: 56 [1], given: 0 Manager Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 98 Kudos [?]: 57 [1], given: 12 Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 08:12 1 This post received KUDOS could you please provide the answers Kudos [?]: 57 [1], given: 12 Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7608 Kudos [?]: 16894 [1], given: 230 Location: Pune, India Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 19:20 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post Given $$|x^2 + 3x| + x^2 - 2 >= 0$$ This implies $$|x^2 + 3x| >= 2 - x^2$$ We need to find values of x for which this relation holds. We will draw the graph of both the left side and the right side and find the answer by checking the values of x for which the graph of left side has higher values than graph of right side. Check the attachment for solution. Attachment: Q2.pdf [173.31 KiB] Downloaded 101 times  To download please login or register as a user _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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Kudos [?]: 16894 [1], given: 230

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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28 Oct 2010, 04:57
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Expert's post
rahuljaiswal wrote:
Also can you provide for a sum where the slope is not equal to 1, just to make it clear.

Try mod(2x -8) > 10
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Karishma
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Kudos [?]: 16894 [1], given: 230 Manager Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 57 Kudos [?]: 11 [0], given: 13 Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 09:25 @ Krushna Yes, you have got the first one right The answer is : 1<=x<=4 If u can solve the 2nd one too, that will be a great help. I've been pulling my hair because of the 2nd one. I am not in agreement with its answer. Cheers, R J P.S: One more thing though, you gave me the answer as 1,2,3,4, though you musn't forget that the numbers have not been stated as integers. Kudos+1 for the approach that is different than the one I have. Kudos [?]: 11 [0], given: 13 Manager Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Posts: 57 Kudos [?]: 56 [0], given: 0 Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 10:26 if |x^2 + 3x| + x^2 - 2 >= 0. |x(x + 3)| + x^2 - 2 >= 0. boundary points are 0,3 the ranges are: 1) When x >= 0, |x^2 + 3x| = x^2 + 3x hence the equation becomes x^2 + 3x + x^2-2 >=0 2x^2 + 3x - 2 >=0 Factoring (2x-1)(x+1) >=0 as x >= 0, x+1 > 0 So we need 2x-1>=0 means x >=1/2 So combining: x >=1/2 --- A 2) When -3 < x < 0, |x^2 + 3x| = -(x^2 + 3x) hence the equation becomes -x^2 - 3x + x^2-2 >=0 - 3x - 2 >=0 3x+2 <=0, x <=-2/3 as -3 < x < 0, combining: -3 < x <=-2/3 3) When x <= -3, |x^2 + 3x| = x^2 + 3x ----- B hence the equation becomes x^2 + 3x + x^2-2 >=0 2x^2 + 3x - 2 >=0 Factoring (2x-1)(x+1) >=0 as x <= -3, x+1 <0 So we need 2x-1 <=0 means x <=1/2 So as x <= -3, combining: x <= -3 --- C from A,B and C, either x >=1/2 or x <= -2/3 (gIVE ME A KUDO IF YOU LIKE IT) Kudos [?]: 56 [0], given: 0 Manager Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Posts: 57 Kudos [?]: 56 [0], given: 0 Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 16:11 I got it. Very nice approach. Please provide for the second one Kudos [?]: 56 [0], given: 0 Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7608 Kudos [?]: 16894 [0], given: 230 Location: Pune, India Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink] ### Show Tags 27 Oct 2010, 19:25 For another interesting use of graphs to solve a tough question, check out this link http://gmatclub.com/forum/ps-triple-modul-1185.html#p807380 _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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Manager
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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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27 Oct 2010, 23:25
Aaahhh...and the truth shall set u free!!!

The answer given was indeed wrong... the answer given to the 2nd question is x>=1/2 and x<= -3....

Cheers
R J

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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27 Oct 2010, 23:50
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
Given $$|x^2 + 3x| + x^2 - 2 >= 0$$

This implies $$|x^2 + 3x| >= 2 - x^2$$
We need to find values of x for which this relation holds. We will draw the graph of both the left side and the right side and find the answer by checking the values of x for which the graph of left side has higher values than graph of right side. Check the attachment for solution.
Attachment:
Q2.pdf

All right!!.. i understand the explanation, though what I am confused about is that in the 1st question you basically take an INTERSECTION of the two ranges of the values of x and get to the answer; however, in the 2nd question you provide the answers as x>= 1/2 OR x <= -2/3....
Basically i had solved it in this manner -
Since it is |x^2 +3x| in the given inequality, alternately assume it to be positive or negative

Case - 1: Considering it +ve
Therefore,
x^2+3x + x^2 - 2 >=0
Solving this we get: x>=1/2 OR x<=-2 -------> A

Case - 2: Considering it -ve
Therefore,
-x^2 - 3x + x^2 - 2 >=0
Hence, x<=-2/3 -----------> B

Now here the problem I am facing is whether I find the intersection of the ranges or Union of the ranges.

Cheers
R J

Kudos [?]: 11 [0], given: 13

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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27 Oct 2010, 23:59
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
Solving such equations is very convenient and quick using graphs. I have attached a pdf to show how to solve the first one using graphs. If you understand how it is solved, let me know and I will send the solution of the second one using graphs too. If it is not clear, I will give a quick recap of graph theory for mods.

Attachment:
Graph of Mod Theory.pdf

Also can you provide for a sum where the slope is not equal to 1, just to make it clear.

Thanks!!!! :D

Cheers,
R J

Kudos [?]: 11 [0], given: 13

Manager
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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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28 Oct 2010, 23:16
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
rahuljaiswal wrote:
Also can you provide for a sum where the slope is not equal to 1, just to make it clear.

Try mod(2x -8) > 10

I got the answer to the above question as x>9 OR x<-1.

And Kudos+1 for the explanation earlier. :D :D

Cheers,
R J

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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29 Oct 2010, 04:53

Note that in this graph, the point of the graph that lies on the x axis will be at x = 4 not x = 8 because mod(2x - 8) = mod(2(x - 4)).
Typically, linear mod inequalities can be easily and quickly solved using just the number line but let us keep that for another day! Get comfortable using graphs and later perhaps we can shorten the time taken even further.

Also, these questions are 700 level and you will see them on GMAT only if you are close to 50/51. Even then, you may not see the second question.
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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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29 Oct 2010, 08:52
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
Also, these questions are 700 level and you will see them on GMAT only if you are close to 50/51. Even then, you may not see the second question.

Yup...that is where I intend to go, the 700s!!!

Many many thanks for your help.. :D

Cheers,
R J

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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31 Jan 2011, 03:09
thanks for the clarification.
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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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27 Jun 2015, 04:25
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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both [#permalink]

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19 Jul 2017, 04:28
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

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Re: 2 sums with Modulus and Inequality both   [#permalink] 19 Jul 2017, 04:28
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