what is the value of x? assume x is an integer. (1)

Question

what is the value of x? assume x is an integer.

(1) |x-|x^2||=2

(2) |x^2-|x||=2

pls show working...

Antmavel · Answer

I would say E but i took me around 3mn

(1) |x-|x^2||=2

for each abs value you have to imagine it can be negative or positive before executing the abolute value. For example :

|x-|x^2||=2 ; x-x^2=2; x^2-x-2=0 ; (x-2)(x+1) so 2 answers : 2 and -1
x-|x^2|=2 ; no need to check this, first go to statement (2) to see if you find different numbers than in (1)

(2) |x^2-|x||=2
X^2-x=2 ; x^2-x-2=0 ; (x-2)(x+1), same answer than in statement 1

even if there are other possibilities, you've already found 2 different possible answers which are 2 and -1 in both statements so you can not choose any value for sure. E. no need to calculate everything.

ranga41 · Answer

I think  C ,
Combining both and for various conditions were x could be + or - ve i think i get x could only be +2...

tingle · Answer

I dont think lx-lx^2ll=2 & lx^2-lxll=2 will have the same roots.

FN · Answer

check you quadratic equation for (1) again.....

you have x-x^2=2

then it should follow:

x-x^2-2=0

-x^2+x-2=0

x^2-x+2=0 (you can use the quadratice equation formula)

you get x=2 or x=-1 (which you do, I am just making sure people understand what you did)

now just do what you would with (2) and you get the same factors right...

go ahead try plugging in (-1) for x in (2), it will not add upto 2!

only (2) works for x.....

you were almost there, but you have plug in the numbers to verify...

Regan used to say, "trust but verify"

nisha_qutu · Answer

I think the answer is C too.

For both equations 1) and 2), we get 2 answers 2 and -1. 

Plugging these answers back into both the equations, we get to know that only 2 satisfies both the equations...

Whats the OA??

FN · Answer

dont make it sound simple....

try -2 in (2)...that also fits right?

make sure you know how to do your factorization......

richardj · Answer

It's not quite as complicated as you are making it.

(1) has roots x=2,x=-1
(2) has roots x=2,x=-2

So x=2 and C is the answer

Antmavel · Answer

Thanks for the great lesson, I was wrong. I've been too fast and assumed too easily that I got it right

french people are always a little too arrogant :-D

dil66 · Answer

How do you convert |x^2-|x||=2 to
x2 - x = 2 ?
ignore abs completely?
Dont we have to do 
x2 - |x| = 2 
and x2 - |x| = -2
first, and then 2 more equations for the |x|?

tibeo - vietnam · Answer

@Dil66 and all:

(2) |x^2-|x||=2

There are 2 cases:
(a) x>=0: Then we have |x^2-x|=2
 (a1) x^2-x=-2 (no root)
 (a2) x^2-x=2 (roots are 2 (-1 is not since x>=0))

(b) x |x-x^2|=2 (since x^2 is always greater or equal 0)
 (a) x-x^2=-2 (roots are 2 and -1)
 (b) x-x^2 = 2 (no root)

So the answer is C with x=2

Hope this clear

what is the value of x? assume x is an integer. (1)

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