Bunuel
If x is an integer such that \(\frac{x^5(x + 2)^3(x - 3)^5}{(x + 4)} \leq 0\), what is the probability that \(x^2 -2x - 8 = 0\)?
A. 1/7
B. 1/6
C. 1/4
D. 2/7
E. 1/3
Solution:We see that if x = 0, -2, or 3, the expression on the left hand side of the inequality will be 0 and thus satisfying the inequality. If x = -4, the denominator of the expression is 0. Since we can’t divide by 0, x can’t be -4. If x < -4, all the factors (x^5, (x + 2)^3, (x - 3)^5 and (x + 4)) are negative. However, the expression will be positive, so it won’t satisfy the inequality. Similarly, if x > 3, all the factors are positive and the expression will be positive.
Now, let’s determine what happens if x is an integer between -4 and 3 (not including 0 and -2).
If x = -3, x^5, (x + 2)^3 and (x - 3)^5 are negative, but (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is negative. Thus, x = -3 is a solution for the inequality.
If x = -1, x^5 and (x - 3)^5 are negative, but (x + 2)^3 and (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is positive. Thus, x = -1 is NOT a solution for the inequality.
If x = 1, (x - 3)^5 is negative, but x^5, (x + 2)^3 and (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is negative. Thus, x = 1 is a solution for the inequality.
If x = 2, (x - 3)^5 is negative, but x^5, (x + 2)^3 and (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is negative. Thus, x = 2 is a solution for the inequality.
Therefore, the integer solutions for the inequality are -3, -2, 0, 1, 2 and 3 (i.e., 6 such integers). Now let’s check the integer solutions of the equation by solving it.
(x - 4)(x + 2) = 0
x = 4 or x = -2
Since only -2 is a solution of the inequality, we see that the desired probability is 1/6.
Answer: B