The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin : Problem Solving (PS)

My Profile Logout

Test's Subscription Expires:

My Follow Feed Kudos My Error Log

Messages and Replies

Settings Mark All Read

See All

Applicant Notifications

Settings Mark All Read

See All

Global notifications

Settings Mark All Read

See All

The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin

Sort by Date

Sort by Kudos

Author

Message

TAGS:

Hide Tags

e-GMAT Representative

Joined: 04 Jan 2015

Posts: 2474

The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

Updated on: 07 Aug 2018, 05:08

00:00

Difficulty:

5% (low)

Question Stats:

86% (00:51) correct

14% (01:04) wrong

based on 809 sessions

HideShow timer Statistics

The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordinate of which of the five points P, Q, R, S and T on the number line above?
(A) P
(B) Q
(C) R
(D) S
(E) T

This is a Warm-up Question for the e-GMAT Question Series on Absolute Value.

Provide your solution below. Kudos for participation. Happy Solving!

Best Regards
The e-GMAT Team

Spoiler: ::

Attachment:

ABOQ1.png [ 7.61 KiB | Viewed 4229 times ]

Spoiler: OA

_________________

| '4 out of Top 5' Instructors on gmatclub | 70 point improvement guarantee | www.e-gmat.com

Originally posted by EgmatQuantExpert on 19 May 2015, 05:33.
Last edited by EgmatQuantExpert on 07 Aug 2018, 05:08, edited 4 times in total.

Most Helpful Expert Reply

e-GMAT Representative

Joined: 04 Jan 2015

Posts: 2474

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

01 Jul 2015, 05:10

carrerswitch wrote:

Hi,

Could you please explain why modulus of (x+a) means distance from -a to x and not distance from a to x?

Thanks

Hi carrerswitch,

Let me explain the concept with a different example. When we need to find the distance between two numbers, let's say 5 and 2, we write 5 - 2 = 3.

In the same way when we need to find the distance between 5 and -2 we write 5 - (-2) = 5 + 2 = 7.

Now we know that |x| = Distance of x from 0 i.e. | x - 0|.

So, distance of x from a can be written as | x - a|. In the same manner distance of -a from x can be written as | x - (-a)| = |x + a|

Hope this helps

Regards
Harsh
_________________

| '4 out of Top 5' Instructors on gmatclub | 70 point improvement guarantee | www.e-gmat.com

General Discussion

Manager

Joined: 28 Dec 2012

Posts: 102

Location: India

Concentration: Strategy, Finance

WE: Engineering (Energy and Utilities)

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

19 May 2015, 13:03

EgmatQuantExpert wrote:

Best Regards
The e-GMAT Team

Mod (x+a) represents distance of x from -a. T is farthest from -a and hence mod (x+a) will be maximum at T. Confirm by substituting x with (-a-2) and (a+4) respectively.
Option E.
_________________

Impossibility is a relative concept!!

e-GMAT Representative

Joined: 04 Jan 2015

Posts: 2474

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 May 2015, 01:40

Official Explanation

Correct Answer: E

The question asks us to maximize the value of |x+a|

|x+a| measures the distance of x from the point –a on the number line.

Out of the five points, the point that is the most distant from –a is T.

_________________

| '4 out of Top 5' Instructors on gmatclub | 70 point improvement guarantee | www.e-gmat.com

Intern

Joined: 01 Aug 2010

Posts: 14

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

27 Jun 2015, 00:58

Hi,

Could you please explain why modulus of (x+a) means distance from -a to x and not distance from a to x?

Thanks

CEO

Status: GMATINSIGHT Tutor

Joined: 08 Jul 2010

Posts: 2726

Location: India

GMAT: INSIGHT

Schools: Darden '21

WE: Education (Education)

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

01 Jul 2015, 05:43

EgmatQuantExpert wrote:

The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordinate of which of the five points P, Q, R, S and T on the number line above?
(A) P
(B) Q
(C) R
(D) S
(E) T

For maximum Absolute value of (x + a)

1) Sign of both x and a must be same i.e. either both must be positive or both must be negative i.e. both x and a must be on the same side on Number Line

2) We need to pick the the highest value of a or x and both a and x must be farthest from Zero so that their absolute values are maximum.

The figure says it all that both conditions are satisfied when the value of x is taken at Point T (Farthest from Zero) and we can observe that a is positive (being towards the right of Zero on Number Line)

Answer: Option E
_________________

Prosper!!!
GMATinsight
Bhoopendra Singh and Dr.Sushma Jha
e-mail: info@GMATinsight.com I Call us : +91-9999687183 / 9891333772
Online One-on-One Skype based classes and Classroom Coaching in South and West Delhi
http://www.GMATinsight.com/testimonials.html

ACCESS FREE GMAT TESTS HERE:22 ONLINE FREE (FULL LENGTH) GMAT CAT (PRACTICE TESTS) LINK COLLECTION

Intern

Joined: 01 Aug 2010

Posts: 14

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

02 Jul 2015, 20:31

EgmatQuantExpert wrote:

carrerswitch wrote:

Hi,

Could you please explain why modulus of (x+a) means distance from -a to x and not distance from a to x?

Thanks

Regards
Harsh

Thanks Harsh. It did help.

Manager

Joined: 24 Aug 2016

Posts: 68

Location: India

WE: Information Technology (Computer Software)

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

19 Sep 2016, 06:39

Image attachment is missing. :roll:

_________________

"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."

Math Expert

Joined: 02 Sep 2009

Posts: 52463

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

19 Sep 2016, 06:42

0ld wrote:

Image attachment is missing. :roll:

Check now. It should be visible now.
_________________

New to the Math Forum?
Please read this: Ultimate GMAT Quantitative Megathread | All You Need for Quant | PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW: 12 Rules for Posting!!!

Resources:
GMAT Math Book | Triangles | Polygons | Coordinate Geometry | Factorials | Circles | Number Theory | Remainders; 8. Overlapping Sets | PDF of Math Book; 10. Remainders | GMAT Prep Software Analysis | SEVEN SAMURAI OF 2012 (BEST DISCUSSIONS) | Tricky questions from previous years.

Collection of Questions:
PS: 1. Tough and Tricky questions; 2. Hard questions; 3. Hard questions part 2; 4. Standard deviation; 5. Tough Problem Solving Questions With Solutions; 6. Probability and Combinations Questions With Solutions; 7 Tough and tricky exponents and roots questions; 8 12 Easy Pieces (or not?); 9 Bakers' Dozen; 10 Algebra set. ,11 Mixed Questions, 12 Fresh Meat

DS: 1. DS tough questions; 2. DS tough questions part 2; 3. DS tough questions part 3; 4. DS Standard deviation; 5. Inequalities; 6. 700+ GMAT Data Sufficiency Questions With Explanations; 7 Tough and tricky exponents and roots questions; 8 The Discreet Charm of the DS; 9 Devil's Dozen!!!; 10 Number Properties set., 11 New DS set.

What are GMAT Club Tests?
Extra-hard Quant Tests with Brilliant Analytics

Manager

Joined: 24 Aug 2016

Posts: 68

Location: India

WE: Information Technology (Computer Software)

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

19 Sep 2016, 06:54

Bunuel wrote:

0ld wrote:

Image attachment is missing. :roll:

Check now. It should be visible now.

Thank you. That was fast. :shock:

_________________

"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."

Manager

Joined: 23 Oct 2017

Posts: 64

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

09 Dec 2017, 07:58

|x+a| = |x-(-a)|
The point which lies farthest from the point x= -a on the number line.
Thus its point T.

Non-Human User

Joined: 09 Sep 2013

Posts: 9466

Re: The absolute value of (x + a) will be the greatest if x is the coordin [#permalink]

Show Tags

30 Dec 2018, 08:48

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________