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Solution


Given:
    • An inequality, \(\frac{(x^2 – 7x – 18)(x + 5)}{(x^2 – 4)} ≤ 0\)

To find:
    • The number of non-negative integer values of x that satisfy the given inequality

Approach and Working:
    • \(\frac{(x^2 – 7x – 18)(x + 5)}{(x^2 – 4)} ≤ 0\)

Let’s factorise the quadratic expressions in the numerator and denominator
    • \(\frac{(x – 9)(x + 2)(x + 5)}{(x + 2)(x - 2)} ≤ 0\)

We can cancel out the common term, x + 2, in both numerator and denominator
    • \(\frac{(x – 9)(x + 5)}{(x - 2)} ≤ 0\)

Now, multiplying and dividing by (x – 2), we get,
    • \(\frac{(x – 2)(x - 9)(x + 5)}{(x - 2)^2} ≤ 0\)

In the above expression, the denominator is always greater than 0. Thus, the numerator must be ≤ 0.
    • (x – 2)(x - 9)(x + 5) ≤ 0

Representing the zero points {-5, 2, 9} on a number line, we can find the regions in which the expression is ≤ 0



    • From the above figure, we can see that (x – 2)(x - 9)(x + 5) ≤ 0 in the regions, 2 ≤ x ≤ 9 and x ≤ -5
    • And, we know that x ≠ 2, since, the denominator of the given expression cannot be = 0

We are asked to find the number of non-negative integer values of x.
    • Therefore, the values of x can be {3, 4, 5 ,6 ,7 ,8, 9}

Hence the correct answer is Option B.

Answer: B

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Solution


Given:
    • An inequality, \(\frac{(x^2 – 7x – 18)(x + 5)}{(x^2 – 4)} ≤ 0\)

To find:
    • The number of non-negative integer values of x that satisfy the given inequality

Approach and Working:
    • \(\frac{(x^2 – 7x – 18)(x + 5)}{(x^2 – 4)} ≤ 0\)

Let’s factorise the quadratic expressions in the numerator and denominator
    • \(\frac{(x – 9)(x + 2)(x + 5)}{(x + 2)(x - 2)} ≤ 0\)

We can cancel out the common term, x + 2, in both numerator and denominator
    • \(\frac{(x – 9)(x + 5)}{(x - 2)} ≤ 0\)

Now, multiplying and dividing by (x – 2), we get,
    • \(\frac{(x – 2)(x - 9)(x + 5)}{(x - 2)^2} ≤ 0\)

In the above expression, the denominator is always greater than 0. Thus, the numerator must be ≤ 0.
    • (x – 2)(x - 9)(x + 5) ≤ 0

Representing the zero points {-5, 2, 9} on a number line, we can find the regions in which the expression is ≤ 0



    • From the above figure, we can see that (x – 2)(x - 9)(x + 5) ≤ 0 in the regions, 2 ≤ x ≤ 9 and x ≤ -5
    • And, we know that x ≠ 2, since, the denominator of the given expression cannot be = 0

We are asked to find the number of non-negative integer values of x.
    • Therefore, the values of x can be {3, 4, 5 ,6 ,7 ,8, 9}

Hence the correct answer is Option B.

Answer: B



@EgmatQuantExpert"

the expression
[m]\frac{(x^2 – 7x – 18)(x + 5)}{(x^2 – 4)} ≤ 0

so wont it be =0 and should be valid at x=2 would be a valid to count as an integer ...
considering this relation only I opted for option C '8' over 7 option b ..
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