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Bunuel
If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

A. -1
B. -2
C. -3
D. -4
E. -5



Instead of solving the inequality algebraically, we can just try out the given answer choices.

A. -1

If x = -1, x^2 - |x + 3| + x = 1 - 2 - 1 = -2, which is not greater than 0.

B. -2

If x = -2, x^2 - |x + 3| + x = 4 - 1 - 2 = 1, which IS greater than 0.

Answer: B
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Bunuel
If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

A. -1
B. -2
C. -3
D. -4
E. -5


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

Asked: If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

Case 1: x<-3
\(x^2 - (-x-3) + x > 0\)
\(x^2 + 2x + 3 > 0\)
(x+1)(x+2) > 0
x>2 or x<-1; x>2 is not feasible
x<-3

Case 2: x>=-3
\(x^2 - (x+3) + x >0\)
\(x^2 -3 > 0\)
\(x<-\sqrt{3}\) or
\(x>\sqrt{3}\)
Since x is a negative integer
x < - 1.71
\(x_{max} = - 2\)

IMO B
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Bunuel
If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

A. -1
B. -2
C. -3
D. -4
E. -5




Asked: If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

Case 1: x<-3
\(x^2 - (-x-3) + x > 0\)
\(x^2 + 2x + 3 > 0\)
(x+1)(x+2) > 0
x>2 or x<-1; x>2 is not feasible
x<-3

Case 2: x>=-3
\(x^2 - (x+3) + x >0\)
\(x^2 -3 > 0\)
\(x<-\sqrt{3}\) or
\(x>\sqrt{3}\)
Since x is a negative integer
x < - 1.71
\(x_{max} = - 2\)

IMO B

\(x2+2x+3>0\)
(x+1)(x+2)>0 ..... wrong factorization!?
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x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\)

As we have |x + 3| in the equation so we will have two cases
-Case 1: x + 3 ≥ 0 => x ≥ - 3

=> |x + 3| = x + 3
=> \(x^2 - (x + 3) + x > 0\)
=> \(x^2 - x - 3 + x > 0\)
=> \(x^2 > 3 \)
=> x > \(\sqrt{3}\) or x < -\(\sqrt{3}\)

But we know that x ≥ - 3 and x is a negative integer

=> Solution will be -3 ≤ x ≤ -\(\sqrt{3}\)

=> x = -3 , -2
-Case 2: x + 3 ≤ 0 => x ≤ -3

=> |x + 3| = -(x + 3)
=> \(x^2 - (-(x + 3)) + x > 0\)
=> \(x^2 + x + 3 + x > 0\)
=> \(x^2 + 2x + 3 > 0\)
=> x*(x+2) > -3

Now, x ≤ -3
=> Both x and x+2 will be negative and their product will be positive and will ALWAYS be > -3

=> Equation is true for all values of x ≤ -3

=> Combined solution is -3 ≤ x ≤ -\(\sqrt{3}\) and x ≤ -3
=> x ≤ -\(\sqrt{3}\)
=> x ≤ -1.732

Greatest possible value of x = -2

So, Answer will be B
Hope it helps!

Watch the following video to MASTER Absolute Values

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Yes, that is wrong factorization. We can solve it by doing x*(x+2) > -3. Explained in my response above.
prathameshrathi
Kinshook
Bunuel
If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

A. -1
B. -2
C. -3
D. -4
E. -5




Asked: If x is a negative integer and \(x^2 - |x + 3| + x > 0\), what is the greatest possible value of x?

Case 1: x<-3
\(x^2 - (-x-3) + x > 0\)
\(x^2 + 2x + 3 > 0\)
(x+1)(x+2) > 0
x>2 or x<-1; x>2 is not feasible
x<-3

Case 2: x>=-3
\(x^2 - (x+3) + x >0\)
\(x^2 -3 > 0\)
\(x<-\sqrt{3}\) or
\(x>\sqrt{3}\)
Since x is a negative integer
x < - 1.71
\(x_{max} = - 2\)

IMO B

\(x2+2x+3>0\)
(x+1)(x+2)>0 ..... wrong factorization!?
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prathameshrathi


\(x2+2x+3>0\)
(x+1)(x+2)>0 ..... wrong factorization!?
Yes, actually the determinant is negative so this inequality holds true for any value of x.
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Deconstructing the Question

We are given

\(x^2-|x+3|+x>0\)

where \(x\) is a negative integer.

We need the greatest possible value of \(x\), so test the negative integers starting from the largest:

\(-1, -2, -3, \dots\)

Step-by-step

Test \(x=-1\)

\((-1)^2-|(-1)+3|+(-1)\)

\(=1-|2|-1\)

\(=1-2-1=-2\)

This is not greater than \(0\).

So \(x=-1\) does not work.

Test \(x=-2\)

\((-2)^2-|(-2)+3|+(-2)\)

\(=4-|1|-2\)

\(=4-1-2=1\)

This is greater than \(0\).

So \(x=-2\) works.

Since \(-2\) works and \(-1\) does not, the greatest possible value of \(x\) is

\(-2\)

Answer B: -2
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