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If \(|y| ≤ -4x\) and \(|3x - 4|= 2x + 6\). Which of the following could be the value of x?
A. -3
B. -1/2
C. -2/5
D. 1/3
E. 10
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A. -3
B. -1/2
C. -2/5
D. 1/3
E. 10
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If \(|y| ≤ -4x\) and \(|3x - 4|= 2x + 6\). Which of the following could be the value of x?
A. -3
B. -1/2
C. -2/5 --> correct
D. 1/3
E. 10
Solution:
\(|y| ≤ -4x\)
=> \( -4x >= |y| >=0\)
=> -x>=0
=> x ≤ 0
So for |3x - 4|= 2x + 6
3x-4 can't be > 0 i.e. x can't be > 4/3, because x can't be > 0
So 3x - 4 ≤ 0
-(3x-4)=2x+6
=> 5x = -2
=> x = -2/5
A. -3
B. -1/2
C. -2/5 --> correct
D. 1/3
E. 10
Solution:
\(|y| ≤ -4x\)
=> \( -4x >= |y| >=0\)
=> -x>=0
=> x ≤ 0
So for |3x - 4|= 2x + 6
3x-4 can't be > 0 i.e. x can't be > 4/3, because x can't be > 0
So 3x - 4 ≤ 0
-(3x-4)=2x+6
=> 5x = -2
=> x = -2/5
firas92
Current Student
Joined: 16 Jan 2019
Last visit: 24 Jul 2026
Posts: 616
Location: India
Concentration: General Management
Schools: Tepper '23 (M$) Foster '23 (D)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
WE:Sales (Other)
Products:
\(|y|\) is an absolute value which means \(|y|\) cannot be negative
Therefore since \(|y|≤−4x\), \(x\) must be negative as \(|y|\) cannot be less than or equal to a negative value
Eliminate (D) and (E)
\(|3x−4|=2x+6\)
This means \(3x-4=2x+6\) or \(4-3x=2x+6\)
On solving we get, \(x=10\) or \(x=-\frac{2}{5}\)
Since we know that x must be negative, our answer is \(x=-\frac{2}{5}\)
Answer is (C)
_________________
Therefore since \(|y|≤−4x\), \(x\) must be negative as \(|y|\) cannot be less than or equal to a negative value
Eliminate (D) and (E)
\(|3x−4|=2x+6\)
This means \(3x-4=2x+6\) or \(4-3x=2x+6\)
On solving we get, \(x=10\) or \(x=-\frac{2}{5}\)
Since we know that x must be negative, our answer is \(x=-\frac{2}{5}\)
Answer is (C)
_________________
Quote:
\(|y| ≤ -4x\) MEANS \(0 ≤ -4x.....x\leq{0}\), because the least value of |y| is 0 and, therefore, -4x will surely be greater than it or equal to that.
|y| ≤ -4x And 0 ≤ |y|..........0 ≤|y| ≤ -4x, so 0 ≤-4x
Solve \(|3x - 4|= 2x + 6\)
1. \(3x-4=2x+6....x=10\) but \(x\leq{0}\)...Neglect
2. \(-(3x-4)=2x+6....5x=-2....x=\frac{-2}{5}\)..Possible as \(x\leq{0}\).
C. -2/5
C
_________________
General Discussion
vikgupta07
IIM School Moderator
chetan2u
Why |y|=0?
Thanks,
V
Posts: 13
chetan2u
Posted from my mobile device
vikgupta07
Hi I have not taken |y|=0, but that is the least value of |y| and -4x will surely be greater than it equal to that.
|y| ≤ -4x And 0 ≤ |y|..........0 ≤|y| ≤ -4x, so 0 ≤-4x
_________________
Posts: 4,849
This is a very good question which tests your fundamental understanding of the concepts of Absolute Values.
The fact that the absolute value of a number cannot be negative is a very useful fact. If you do not leverage this fact, you can miss out on the most crucial piece of the puzzle.
|y| < -4x. We know that |y| can never be negative; or in other words, it is always greater than or equal to ZERO. But, in the inequality, we have a negative sign. This can only mean that x HAS to be non-positive so that -4x becomes non-negative.
Therefore, x CANNOT take any positive values. Basis this inference, we can eliminate answer options D and E straight away. We are left with options A, B and C.
Beyond this stage, the best and the most efficient method of solving this question would be to plug in each of the values from the options and check which value satisfies the equation. Also, from the expression inside the modulus, we can estimate that a fractional value of x is more probable in satisfying the equation. Therefore, I’d try the negative fractions first rather than trying the -3 in option A.
When we plug in the options, we see that option C satisfies the equation. The correct answer option is C.
The most important data in this question was the fact that |y| < -4x because it led us to the conclusion that x CANNOT be positive. Do not get confused as to what is the role of the variable ‘y’ in this question. It doesn’t serve any other purpose than telling us that |y| cannot be negative.
Hope that helps!
The fact that the absolute value of a number cannot be negative is a very useful fact. If you do not leverage this fact, you can miss out on the most crucial piece of the puzzle.
|y| < -4x. We know that |y| can never be negative; or in other words, it is always greater than or equal to ZERO. But, in the inequality, we have a negative sign. This can only mean that x HAS to be non-positive so that -4x becomes non-negative.
Therefore, x CANNOT take any positive values. Basis this inference, we can eliminate answer options D and E straight away. We are left with options A, B and C.
Beyond this stage, the best and the most efficient method of solving this question would be to plug in each of the values from the options and check which value satisfies the equation. Also, from the expression inside the modulus, we can estimate that a fractional value of x is more probable in satisfying the equation. Therefore, I’d try the negative fractions first rather than trying the -3 in option A.
When we plug in the options, we see that option C satisfies the equation. The correct answer option is C.
The most important data in this question was the fact that |y| < -4x because it led us to the conclusion that x CANNOT be positive. Do not get confused as to what is the role of the variable ‘y’ in this question. It doesn’t serve any other purpose than telling us that |y| cannot be negative.
Hope that helps!
Posts: 7
|3x-4|= 2x+6
taking (3x-4) as positive
3x-4= 2x+6
=> x= 10
taking (3x-4) as negative
-(3x-4)= 2x+6
=> x= -(2/5)
as |y|<= -4x
therefore -4x must be positive, hence x must be negative.
so the ans is x= -(2/5)
Answer: C
taking (3x-4) as positive
3x-4= 2x+6
=> x= 10
taking (3x-4) as negative
-(3x-4)= 2x+6
=> x= -(2/5)
as |y|<= -4x
therefore -4x must be positive, hence x must be negative.
so the ans is x= -(2/5)
Answer: C
Posts: 5
From Second Equation we know that either X is 10 or -2/5
Substitute these values in the First equation
X=10 yields |y| ≤ -40 which is not possible as the modulus is always positive
Hence X is -2/5
Substitute these values in the First equation
X=10 yields |y| ≤ -40 which is not possible as the modulus is always positive
Hence X is -2/5
Posts: 5
From Second Equation we know that either X is 10 or -2/5
Substitute these values in the First equation
X=10 yields |y| ≤ -40 which is not possible as the modulus is always positive
Hence X is -2/5
Substitute these values in the First equation
X=10 yields |y| ≤ -40 which is not possible as the modulus is always positive
Hence X is -2/5
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