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# If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of

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If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of  [#permalink]

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11 Apr 2017, 22:46
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Question Stats:

59% (01:16) correct 41% (00:56) wrong based on 301 sessions

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If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of x/y?

(A) 1/8
(B) 1/2
(C) 5/8
(D) 5/2
(E) 10/3

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If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of  [#permalink]

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11 Apr 2017, 23:01
5
Bunuel wrote:
If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of x/y?

(A) 1/8
(B) 1/2
(C) 5/8
(D) 5/2
(E) 10/3

(x + 2)^2 = 9 ==> x can be 1 or -5
(y + 3)^2 = 25 ==> y can be 2 or -8

therefore the maximum value of x/y = -5/-8 = 5/8

Hence option C is correct
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Re: If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of  [#permalink]

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12 Apr 2017, 04:25
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Bunuel wrote:
If (x + 2)² = 9 and (y + 3)² = 25, then what is the maximum value of x/y?

(A) 1/8
(B) 1/2
(C) 5/8
(D) 5/2
(E) 10/3

(x + 2)² = 9
We have (something)² = 9
So, EITHER something = 3 OR something = -3
In other words, EITHER x + 2= 3 OR x + 2 = -3
If x + 2= 3. then x = 1
If x + 2= -3. then x = -5

(y + 3)² = 25
We have (something)² = 25
So, EITHER something = 5 OR something = -5
In other words, EITHER y + 3= 5 OR y + 3 = -5
If y + 3= 5, then y = 2
If y + 3= -5, then y = -8

We want to MAXIMIZE the value of x/y
If the x-value and y-value have OPPOSITE signs, x/y will be NEGATIVE
If the x-value and y-value have the SAME sign, x/y will be POSITIVE
So, need the x-value and y-value have the SAME sign

Try #1
x/y = 1/2

Try #2
x/y = (-5)/(-8) = 5/8

Since 5/8 is greater than 1/2, the correct answer is C

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Re: If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of  [#permalink]

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19 Apr 2017, 14:56
Bunuel wrote:
If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of x/y?

(A) 1/8
(B) 1/2
(C) 5/8
(D) 5/2
(E) 10/3

Let’s determine values for x and y.

(x + 2)^2 = 9

√(x + 2)^2 = √9

|x + 2| = 3

We need to determine the value of x when (x + 2) is positive and when (x + 2) is negative.

x + 2 = 3

x = 1

OR

-(x + 2) = 3

-x - 2 = 3

-x = 5

x = -5

So x = 1 or x = -5.

In a similar fashion, we determine the value of y.

(y + 3)^2 = 25

√(y + 3)^2 =√25

|y + 3| = 5

We need to determine the value of y when (y + 3) is positive and when (y + 3) is negative.

y + 3 = 5

y = 2

OR

-(y + 3) = 5

-y - 3 = 5

-y = 8

y = -8

y = 2 or y = -8

We can maximize the value of x/y if x and y are both positive or if x and y are both negative. If x and y are both positive, then x/y = 1/2. If x and y are both negative, then x/y = -5/-8 = 5/8. Since 5/8 > 1/2, the maximum value of x/y is 5/8.

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Re: If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of  [#permalink]

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19 Nov 2018, 18:42
You must first solve for x and y. This can be done in a few different ways.

$$(x+2)^2=9$$
$$x^2 + 4x + 4 = 9$$
$$x^2 + 4x -5 = 0$$
$$(x+5)(x-1) = 0$$
$$x = -5, 1$$

Alternatively, you can take the square root of each side

$$\sqrt{(x+2)^2}=\sqrt{9}$$
$$(x+2)=3$$
$$-(x+2)=3$$
$$x=1, -5$$

For y:
$$(y + 3)^2 = 25$$
$$\sqrt{(y+3)^2}=\sqrt{25}$$
$$y+3=5$$
$$-(y+3)=5$$
$$y= 2, -8$$

Keep positive by using both negative or both positive.

Options are $$\frac{1}{2}$$ or $$\frac{-5}{-8}= \frac{5}{8}$$.

$$\frac{5}{8}$$ is larger. Option C.
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Re: If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of  [#permalink]

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19 Nov 2018, 22:17
Bunuel wrote:
If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of x/y?

(A) 1/8
(B) 1/2
(C) 5/8
(D) 5/2
(E) 10/3

(x + 2)^2 = 9
(x + 2) = +/-3
x = 1,-4

(y + 3)^2 = 25
(y + 3) = +/-5
y = 2,-8

x/y = max. (1/4, -5/-8) = 5/8
we didn't considered negative values -4/2 and 1/-8 as they are already smaller than positive values.
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Re: If (x + 2)^2 = 9 and (y + 3)^2 = 25, then what is the maximum value of &nbs [#permalink] 19 Nov 2018, 22:17
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