MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]
Which of the following is true \(if -3<x<9\)?
A. \(|x-3|<4\)
B. \(|x-3|<5\)
C. \(|x-3|<6\)
D. \(|x-3|>4\)
E. \(|x-3|>5\)
1) Find the distance between, then the midpoint of, the endpoints:
\(9 -(-3) = 12\)
\(\frac{12}{2}\)=
6 = midpoint
2) Change the inequality so it relates to 6 and -6. Subtract 3 from each side:
(-3 - 3) < x < (9 - 3)
-6 < x < 6
3) The -3 becomes part of the absolute value expression:
-6 < |x - 3| < 6, or
|x - 3| < 6
The last step just takes the two cases created by the absolute value inequality |x - 3| < 6, and combines them.
That is, -6 < |x - 3| < 6 says "the absolute value of something is less than 6 (and absolute value is nonnegative)," so change it to
|x - 3| < 6
To check: The two cases for |x - 3| < 6 are
LHS: x - 3 > - 6
RHS: x - 3 < 6
Combined:
-6 < x - 3 < 6
-3 < x < 9 = original. Correct
Answer C