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Re: If a and b are integers such that 5 ≥ a > 1 and b ≥ – 2, x then which
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27 Jan 2017, 10:36
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Bunuel wrote:
If a and b are integers such that 5 ≥ a > 1 and b ≥ – 2, x then which of the following cannot be the value of a – b?
A. –5 B. –3 C. 2 D. 7 E. 8
Hi
If we look at a-b, b is infinite on the upper side since b>=2... And B is being subtracted, so the minimum value will be infinite.. this itself should tell us that the largest value should be the answer ..
But let's see why 8 should be the answer.. Max value of a and min value of b should give us max value.. a has max value of 5 and min value of b is -2.. So a-b=5-(-2)=5+2=7.. So any value beyond 7 will be wrong..
If a and b are integers such that 5 ≥ a > 1 and b ≥ – 2, x then which
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27 Jan 2017, 11:12
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Top Contributor
Bunuel wrote:
If a and b are integers such that 5 ≥ a > 1 and b ≥ – 2, x then which of the following cannot be the value of a – b?
A. –5 B. –3 C. 2 D. 7 E. 8
Here's an approach that uses a nice rule that essentially says: "if two inequalities are arranged so that the inequality symbols are facing the same direction, we can ADD them to create a new inequality.
We have: 5 ≥ a > 1, which we'll rewrite as 1 < a ≤ 5 Now, for the time being, let's focus on the fact that a ≤ 5
We're also told that b ≥ – 2 To get the inequality facing the same way as the above inequality (in red), let's take b ≥ – 2 and multiply both sides by -1 When we do this, we get: -b ≤ 2
Great, we now have: a ≤ 5 -b ≤ 2
Since the inequality symbols are facing the same direction, we can ADD the inequalities to create a new inequality. When we do so, we get: a - b ≤ 7 This means that a - b CANNOT equal 8
Re: If a and b are integers such that 5 ≥ a > 1 and b ≥ – 2, x then which
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15 Oct 2018, 06:38
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71% (01:50) correct 
