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# How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x

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Intern
Status: GMAT in August 2018
Joined: 05 Mar 2018
Posts: 46
Location: India
WE: Law (Consulting)
Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x  [#permalink]

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19 Apr 2018, 01:46
My simple way to solve: Experts can suggest if its flawed.

(x+2)(x+3)/(x-2) ≥ 0

Try make a square in the denominator by multiplying both numerator and denominator by (x-2).

Then equation would like like this: (x+2)(x-2)(x+3)/(x-2)^2 ≥ 0

The denominator shall be +ive for all values of x, other than 2, where the expression will become undefined. Remember to exclude x=2 in all solutions.

Coming to numerator, (x+2)(x-2) makes (x^2-2^2) => (x^2-4). This will be = 0 or +ive for for x>= 2 and x<= -2. So list of possible solutions of x = 2,3,4..... and -2, -3, -4.... Remember to exclude x=2 here.

Coming to the other remaining term in the numerator (x+3) => for this to be 0 or +ive, x can be any value of x >= -3. i.e. -3, -2, -1.....

Now observe what values are common across all solution = -3, -2 and 3, 4, for the question only wants values less than 5.

Cheers!
Intern
Joined: 07 May 2018
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Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x  [#permalink]

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21 Aug 2018, 20:04
Hi,

General method:

$${(x+2)(x+3)}/(x-2) \geq 0$$

if we plot it on number line, we have,
$$-3 \leq x \leq -2$$
& $$x > 2$$, since $$x-2 \neq 0$$ (no equality).

Also, it is given$$x < 5$$
Thus integral solutions would be x = -3, -2, 3, 4

Could you please explain how you got 3 & 4 as the integral solutions.

I understand how you get -3 & -2 as the answers but 3 & 4 does not make sense to me. As the question is asking for the final value not to be greater than 5.

Regards,
Intern
Joined: 08 Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x  [#permalink]

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25 Sep 2018, 23:39
First lets eliminate the obvious $$x\neq{2}$$ as that would result in a division by 0.

We'll get our possible solutions when denominator and numerator are of the same sign.

(1) Lets say both the values (x+2) & (x+3) in the numerator are positive, which means denominator has to be positive to satisfy the equation.
That implies x > 2 (remember $$x\neq{2}$$), the limit as per the question x < 5 => x = 3 or 4

(2) As the equation can be 0, the numerator can be 0 => x = -2 or -3

(3) $$x\neq{0}$$ as that would result in a $$\frac{+ve}{-ve}$$, resulting in a negative value

(4) From the equation its clear that choosing x < -3 will result in a $$\frac{-ve*-ve}{-ve}$$ and thats a negative.

Hence all possible values of x < 5 are -3, -2, 3 & 4 (= 4 possible values)

Ans: D
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Joined: 18 Jun 2017
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How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x  [#permalink]

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17 Nov 2018, 05:43
pike wrote:
How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality ((x+2)(x+3)) / (x-2) >= 0 are less than 5?

Just start testing numbers:
4,3,2,1,0,-1,-2,-3,-4 etc
4,3,-2,-3, so D.

Hello
Why when I test 4,3, -3,-4 I receive wrong answer? I mean

(4+2) (4+3) / (4-2) = 21
(3+2) (3+3) / (3-2) = 30

21 and 30 are bigger than 5

Where is my mistake???
Thank you
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Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x  [#permalink]

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17 Nov 2018, 14:31
1
Hi Ross7it,

With certain questions, you have to be careful about confusing the information that you've been given with the question that you are asked to answer. Your solution is correct - but I think you lost track of the question that you attempting to answer.

Your work shows that there are 4 VALUES FOR X that fit the given inequality. When you plug in each of those values for X, the resulting calculation IS greater than 0. The question is NOT asking for the end calculation though; it's asking about the possible values of X. Each of those 4 values for X ARE less than 5, so the answer to the question is 4 values.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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# Rich Cohen

Co-Founder & GMAT Assassin

Special Offer: Save $75 + GMAT Club Tests Free Official GMAT Exam Packs + 70 Pt. Improvement Guarantee www.empowergmat.com/ *****Select EMPOWERgmat Courses now include ALL 6 Official GMAC CATs!***** Intern Joined: 18 Jun 2017 Posts: 6 How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x [#permalink] ### Show Tags 17 Nov 2018, 15:24 EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote: Hi Ross7it, With certain questions, you have to be careful about confusing the information that you've been given with the question that you are asked to answer. Your solution is correct - but I think you lost track of the question that you attempting to answer. Your work shows that there are 4 VALUES FOR X that fit the given inequality. When you plug in each of those values for X, the resulting calculation IS greater than 0. The question is NOT asking for the end calculation though; it's asking about the possible values of X. Each of those 4 values for X ARE less than 5, so the answer to the question is 4 values. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich Dear Rich, Thanks for answering, but it still not clear. So, how the testing method works here? Could explain me better, please? Some guys on the first page of the topic tested numbers from -4 to 4, but it was not the same to substitute those numbers for X. Am I correct? Many thanks Ross P.S. I am refering to this one: "Just start testing numbers: 4,3,2,1,0,-1,-2,-3,-4 etc 4 - yep 3 - yep 2 - no 1 - no 0 - no -1 - no -2 - yes -3 - yes -4 and below - no 4,3,-2,-3, so D." EMPOWERgmat Instructor Status: GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat Joined: 19 Dec 2014 Posts: 13064 Location: United States (CA) GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49 GRE 1: Q170 V170 Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Nov 2018, 11:18 1 Hi Ross7it, The inequality (x+2)(x+3)/(x-2) >= 0 actually has an unlimited number of integer solutions for X. The question is NOT asking us for ALL of the solutions though; it's only asking for the ones that are LESS than 5. Based on the five answer choices, there will be at least 1 value, but no more than 5 values, that fit what we're looking for. Thus, it should not be too difficult to find those 1-5 values; we can just 'plug in' until we find them all. When you TEST X=4, you will end up with (6)(7)/(2). This equals 42/2 = 21, which is >= 0. Thus, X=4 IS one of the examples of what we are looking for (an integer value of X that 'fits' the given inequality AND is LESS than 5). That math is relatively easy to do, so you should be able to find the other values without too much trouble (by 'plugging in' 3, 2, 1, 0, -1, etc.) and paying attention to the results. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich _________________ 760+: Learn What GMAT Assassins Do to Score at the Highest Levels Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com # Rich Cohen Co-Founder & GMAT Assassin Special Offer: Save$75 + GMAT Club Tests Free
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Intern
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Posts: 6
Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x  [#permalink]

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18 Nov 2018, 12:19
EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:
Hi Ross7it,

The inequality (x+2)(x+3)/(x-2) >= 0 actually has an unlimited number of integer solutions for X.

The question is NOT asking us for ALL of the solutions though; it's only asking for the ones that are LESS than 5. Based on the five answer choices, there will be at least 1 value, but no more than 5 values, that fit what we're looking for. Thus, it should not be too difficult to find those 1-5 values; we can just 'plug in' until we find them all.

When you TEST X=4, you will end up with (6)(7)/(2). This equals 42/2 = 21, which is >= 0. Thus, X=4 IS one of the examples of what we are looking for (an integer value of X that 'fits' the given inequality AND is LESS than 5). That math is relatively easy to do, so you should be able to find the other values without too much trouble (by 'plugging in' 3, 2, 1, 0, -1, etc.) and paying attention to the results.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Dear Rich,

Thank you very much, finally I got it, you have provided a perfect and clear explanation !!! Thank you for your time!

Cheers,
Ross
Re: How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x &nbs [#permalink] 18 Nov 2018, 12:19

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# How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x+2)(x

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