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Hi can someone help me understand the above solution (specifically on how each part within the modulus becomes negative or positive in each part pf the numberline)?
I tried to solve this graphically on a numberline but, I couldnt arrive at this answer

Solve for x: |x - 3| > |2x - 1|

A) x∈ (-∞, \(\frac{4}{3}\)) ∪ (2, ∞)
B) x∈ (-2, \(\frac{4}{3}\))
C) x∈ (-\(\frac{4}{3}\), 2)
D) x∈ (\(\frac{4}{3}\), 2)
E) x∈ (-∞, -2) ∪ (\(\frac{4}{3}\), ∞)

APPORACH 1:

Square the inequality to get rid of the modulus sign (note that we can safely do that since both sides of the inequality are non-negative):


(|x - 3|)^2 > (|2x - 1|)^2

x^2 - 6x + 9 > 4x^2 - 4x + 1

3x^2 +2x -8 < 0

(x + 2)(x - 4/3) < 0

The "roots" are -2 and 4/3. The "<" sign indicates that the solution lies between the roots; therefore, the given inequality holds true for: -2 < x < 4/3.

Answer: B.

Check the links below.
Solving Quadratic Inequalities - Graphic Approach: https://gmatclub.com/forum/solving-quad ... 70528.html
Factoring Quadratics: https://www.purplemath.com/modules/factquad.htm
Solving Quadratic Equations: https://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvquad.htm

APPORACH 2:

|x - 3| > |2x - 1|

The critical points (aka key points or transition points) are 1/2, and 3 (the values of x for which the expressions in the absolute values become 0).

So, we should consider the following three ranges:

1. x < 1/2

For this range, x - 3 < 0 and 2x - 1 < 0, so |x - 3| = -(x - 3) and |2x - 1| = -(2x - 1). Thus, for this range, we get -(x - 3) > -(2x - 1), which leads to x > -2. Hence, for this range, we get -2 < x < 1/2.

2. 1/2 ≤ x ≤ 3

For this range, x - 3 ≤ 0 and 2x - 1 ≥ 0, thus |x - 3| = -(x - 3) and |2x - 1| = 2x - 1. Thus, for this range, we get -(x - 3) > 2x - 1, which leads to x < 4/3. Hence, for this range, we get 1/2 ≤ x < 4/3.

2. x > 3

For this range, x - 3 > 0 and 2x - 1 > 0, thus |x - 3| = x - 3 and |2x - 1| = 2x - 1. Thus, for this range, we get x - 3 > 2x - 1, which leads to x < -2. Since the range we consider, x > 3, and the range we get, x < -2, have no overlap, then for the given range the inequality has no solution.

So, we get that |x - 3| > |2x - 1| is true when -2 < x < 1/2 and 1/2 ≤ x < 4/3. When combined, these two ranges give -2 < x < 4/3.

Answer: B.

Hope it helps.­
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