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Alex75PAris
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 26 May 2016, 13:12
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B
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Difficulty:

65% (hard)

Question Stats:

61% (02:01) correct 39% (02:31) wrong based on 837 sessions

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Date
Time
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 ?

A -1
B 6
C 7
D 12
E 14
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B
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 26 May 2016, 13:28
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Alex75PAris
What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|² + |x - 3| = 20 ?

A -1
B 6
C 7
D 12
E 14
Show more

First of all |x - 3|^2 = (x - 3)^2, so we have: (x - 3)^2 + |x - 3| = 20.

When x < 3, x - 3 is negative, thus |x - 3| = -(x - 3). In this case we'll have (x - 3)^2 - (x - 3) = 20 --> x = -1 or x = 8. Discard x = 8 because it's not in the range we consider (< 3).

When x >= 3, x - 3 is non-negative, thus |x - 3| = x - 3. In this case we'll have (x - 3)^2 + (x - 3) = 20 --> x = -2 or x = 7. Discard x = -2 because it's not in the range we consider (>= 3).

Thus there are two solutions: x = -1 and x = 7 --> the sum = 6.

Answer: B.
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 26 May 2016, 13:31
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Alex75PAris
What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|² + |x - 3| = 20 ?

A -1
B 6
C 7
D 12
E 14
Show more

Another way.

Denote |x - 3| as y: y^2 + y = 20 --> y = -5 or y = 4. Discard the first solution since y = |x - 3|, so it's an absolute value and thus cannot be negative.

y = |x - 3| = 4 --> x = 7 or x = -1. The sum = 6.

Answer: B.
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 24 Dec 2018, 15:15
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Bunuel
Alex75PAris
What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|² + |x - 3| = 20 ?

A -1
B 6
C 7
D 12
E 14

Another way.

Denote |x - 3| as y: y^2 + y = 20 --> y = -5 or y = 4. Discard the first solution since y = |x - 3|, so it's an absolute value and thus cannot be negative.

y = |x - 3| = 4 --> x = 7 or x = -1. The sum = 6.

Answer: B.
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Hello Bunuel!

Why is it -5 and 4?

Is not as the following?

a2 + a - 20 = 0

(a + 5 ) (a - 4 ) = 0

Best regards!
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 24 Dec 2018, 20:15
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Bunuel
Alex75PAris
What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|² + |x - 3| = 20 ?

A -1
B 6
C 7
D 12
E 14

Another way.

Denote |x - 3| as y: y^2 + y = 20 --> y = -5 or y = 4. Discard the first solution since y = |x - 3|, so it's an absolute value and thus cannot be negative.

y = |x - 3| = 4 --> x = 7 or x = -1. The sum = 6.

Answer: B.

Hello Bunuel!

Why is it -5 and 4?

Is not as the following?

a2 + a - 20 = 0

(a + 5 ) (a - 4 ) = 0

Best regards!
Show more

(y + 5 )(y - 4 ) = 0

y + 5 = 0 --> y = -5.
y - 4 = 0 --> y = 4.

P.S. Why are you using 'a' if there is 'y' in the solution?
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 24 Dec 2018, 21:51
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\(|x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20\)

Let |x-3| = a

\(a^2 + a - 20 = 0\)
\(a^2 + 5a - 4a - 20 = 0\)
\(a(a+5) - 4(a+5) = 0\)
\((a-4)(a+5)=0\)
\(a = 4, -5\)

As |x-3| = a, |x-3| = 4, -5. But modulus of any value cannot be a negative integer. So |x-3| = 4

x-3 = 4, -4
x = 7, -1

Sum of possible solutions is => 7-1 => 6

OPTION: B
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 08 Feb 2019, 12:40
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Sorry i still don't understand the following

(x - 3)^2 - (x - 3) = 20 --> x = -1 or x = 8.

isn't it (x-3)(x-3)-(x-3)=20
(x^2)-6x+9-x+3=20
(x^2)-7x+12=20
(x^2)-7x=8
Bunuel - how did you factorize it to get -1 and 8. Was it just by plugging numbers in?
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 09 Feb 2019, 00:50
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Sorry i still don't understand the following

(x - 3)^2 - (x - 3) = 20 --> x = -1 or x = 8.

isn't it (x-3)(x-3)-(x-3)=20
(x^2)-6x+9-x+3=20
(x^2)-7x+12=20
(x^2)-7x=8
Bunuel - how did you factorize it to get -1 and 8. Was it just by plugging numbers in?
Show more

\((x - 3)^2 - (x - 3) = 20\)
\(x^2 - 6x + 9 - x + 3 = 20\)
\(x^2 - 7 x - 8 = 0\)

From here you can either factor to get (x - 4) (x - 3) = 20 or solve using discriminant.

Check the links below:

Factoring Quadratics
Solving Quadratic Equations


7. Algebra



For more check Ultimate GMAT Quantitative Megathread

Hope it helps.
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What is the sum of all possible solutions to |x - 3|^2 + |x - 3| = 20 12 Nov 2025, 03:41
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