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# If x is an integer, how many possible values

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Manager
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
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GMAT 1: 660 Q46 V35
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WE: Information Technology (Computer Software)
If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 06:24
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If x is an integer, how many possible values of x exist for $$x^2+5|x|+6=0 ?$$

A. 4
B. 2
C. 3
D. 1
E. 0
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA
Manager
Joined: 30 Mar 2017
Posts: 69
Re: If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 07:11
E
When x <0
The equation will become x^2 -5x+6=0. The two roots are 3 and 2 going against the range of x .
If we take x>0, x^2 +5x+6=0 and two roots will be -3, and -2.
This too goes against the range of x. So zero solutions.
Another way of looking at this will be to observe that all the three terms of the equation are each greater than zero. So the equation will never be zero and hence no or zero solution.

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Intern
Joined: 16 May 2017
Posts: 7
Re: If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 07:17
By range of x what are you suggesting that? X is an integer.

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VP
Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 1260
If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 09:46
2
KUDOS
DH99 wrote:
If x is an integer, how many possible values of x exist for $$x^2+5|x|+6=0 ?$$

A. 4
B. 2
C. 3
D. 1
E. 0

Looking at other posts, I might be oversimplifying here . . . Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

One method: check the signs of the terms.

The squared term is positive (or nonnegative if x=0).

The term whose product is (+5) * (some nonnegative or positive number because absolute value nonnegative or positive), is positive or nonnegative (if x = 0).

The constant is positive.

You cannot sum three positive numbers, or two zeros (if x=0) and a positive, and get zero. No values will work.

Another way: If "check the signs method" doesn't occur to you, try factoring the quadratic as if there were no absolute value bars around the x in the second term.

$$x^2+5x+6=0$$
(x + 3)(x + 2)

So x = -3 or -2

Check the values. Plug -3 and -2 into original equation.

Neither works:
-3: 9 + 15 + 6 does not equal zero.

From the pattern of positive terms that result when plugging in a negative number (squared term is positive, absolute value term is positive, constant is positive), -2 will not work either.

From the (+) + (+) + (+) pattern: you cannot get to 0 with three positive numbers. No values will work.

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Formerly genxer123

Last edited by generis on 07 Aug 2017, 11:08, edited 1 time in total.
Manager
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 115
GMAT 1: 660 Q46 V35
GPA: 4
WE: Information Technology (Computer Software)
If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 10:24
1
KUDOS
genxer123 wrote:
DH99 wrote:
If x is an integer, how many possible values of x exist for $$x^2+5|x|+6=0 ?$$

A. 4
B. 2
C. 3
D. 1
E. 0

Looking at other posts, I might be oversimplifying here . . . Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

One method: check the signs of the terms.

The squared term is positive.

The term whose product is (+5) * (some positive number because absolute value is positive), is positive.

The constant is positive.

You cannot sum three positive numbers and get zero. No values will work.

Another way: If "check the signs method" doesn't occur to you, try factoring the quadratic as if there were no absolute value bars around the x in the second term.

$$x^2+5x+6=0$$
(x + 3)(x + 2)

So x = -3 or -2

Check the values. Plug -3 and -2 into original equation.

Neither works:
-3: 9 + 15 + 6 does not equal zero.

From the pattern of positive terms that result when plugging in a negative number (squared term is positive, absolute value term is positive, constant is positive), -2 will not work either.

From the (+) + (+) + (+) pattern: you cannot get to 0 with three positive numbers. No values will work.

genxer123
I like your "One method: check the signs of the terms." very much.+1 kudos given. So, it will be true for any quadratic equation in the form ax^2+b|x|+c=0 as long a,b and c are positive?
VP
Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 1260
If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 11:05
1
KUDOS
DH99 wrote:
genxer123
I like your "One method: check the signs of the terms." very much.+1 kudos given. So, it will be true for any quadratic equation in the form ax^2+b|x|+c=0 as long a,b and c are positive?

Yes -- but also nonnegative (x = 0 especially, or a AND b = 0) . . . as long as c is positive.

In other words, if your first two terms result in the nonnegative 0, check c. Positive? No solution. You can't add a positive number to zero and get zero.

Sometimes you will see posters insist that there is no such thing as the absolute value of 0.

Because absolute value is a distance (from point of origin, often 0) there is such a thing: |0| is 0. Zero is 0 distance away from zero.

Come to think of it, though the coefficients wouldn't work in the factor method part, I'm going to amend the first part my answer to include nonnegative! Thanks.
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Formerly genxer123

Manager
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Re: If x is an integer, how many possible values [#permalink]

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07 Aug 2017, 11:48
a tricky one
x^2+5|x|+6=0

can be written as
(|x| + 3) (|x| + 2) = 0 as |x|^2 always = x^2
then no solution for 0 as there is no negative value for |x|
Re: If x is an integer, how many possible values   [#permalink] 07 Aug 2017, 11:48
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