vitorpteixeira
If z^2 – 4z > 5, which of the following is always true?
(A) z > 5
(B) z < 5
(C) z > -1
(D) z < 1
(E) none of above
We’ll treat it as an equation first:
z^2 – 4z = 5
z^2 – 4z – 5 = 0
(z - 5)(z + 1) = 0
z = 5 or z = -1
The two solutions above divide the number line into three intervals:
1) z < -1
2) -1 < z < 5
3) z > 5
For each of these intervals, if one number from the interval satisfies the inequality, then the whole interval will satisfy the inequality.
1) z < -1
Let’s pick z = -2:
(-2)^2 - 4(-2) > 5?
4 + 8 > 5? (Yes)
2) -1 < z < 5
Let’s pick z = 0:
0^2 - 4(0) > 5?
0 - 0 > 5? (No)
3) z > 5
Let’s pick z = 6:
6^2 - 4(6) > 5?
36 - 24 > 5? (Yes)
We see that the solution to the inequality is z < -1 or z > 5. Note that the question is asking for a statement that is ALWAYS true; for any of the given answer choices, we can always find a value of z that does not satisfy the given inequality. Thus, none of the provided answer choices are always true.
Answer: E
I think the answer should be A. It looks same as the Question which asks "must be true". There is in value of z>5 which would not satisfy the given question condition.
Please let me know where i am wrong.