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# (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x

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Joined: 03 Nov 2010
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GMAT Date: 10-15-2011
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(x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink]

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19 Nov 2010, 09:48
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Hi Guys,

came across this problem without a OA. Please help me find a solution:

$$\frac{x^2 - |x| - 12}{x-3} \geq 2x$$
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Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink]

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20 Nov 2010, 13:07
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Expert's post
krishnasty wrote:
Hi Guys,

came across this problem without a OA. Please help me find a solution:

x^2 - |x| - 12
--------------- >= 2x
x-3

Please post your solutions along with explanation.

---------------------------------------------
Consider KUDOS if you like my post!!!

I am assuming your question is: $$\frac{{x^2 - |x| - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 2x$$
First of all, remember that we cannot cross multiply in this case. The reason is that we do not know the sign of (x - 3). To handle the 2x on the right hand side, bring it to the left hand side to get:

$$\frac{{x^2 - |x| - 12}}{{x - 3}} - 2x >= 0$$

$$\frac{{-x^2 - |x| + 6x - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 0$$

Now take 2 cases.

Case 1: If x >= 0, |x| = x
$$\frac{{-x^2 - x + 6x - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 0$$

$$\frac{{x^2 - 5x + 12}}{{x - 3}} <= 0$$ (We flipped the sign of left hand side and hence the inequality flipped too.)

Now, $$x^2 - 5x + 12$$ has no real roots. It will always be positive. (because $$b^2 - 4ac$$ is negative so we know that it has no real roots. Put x = 0, you get 12 which is positive. So this quadratic will never touch the x axis and will always remain above it.)

So for the left hand side to be negative, x < 3. (x cannot be 3 because in that case the denominator will be 0.)
Since x has to be greater than 0, the only solution here is 0 <= x < 3.

Case 2: If x <= 0, |x| = -x
$$\frac{{-x^2 + x + 6x - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 0$$

$$\frac{{x^2 - 7x + 12}}{{x - 3}} <= 0$$ (We flipped the sign of left hand side and hence the inequality flipped too.)

$$\frac{{(x - 4)(x - 3)}}{{x - 3}} <= 0$$
or x <= 4
Since x has to be less than(or equal to) 0, the only solution here is x <= 0.

Combining the solutions above, we get x < 3 as the final solution.

(I have assumed that you are comfortable with quadratic expressions and solving for inequalities once you have factors. If you are not, let me know and I will point you to the related theory.)
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Intern Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Posts: 30 Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink] ### Show Tags 20 Nov 2010, 13:13 VeritasPrepKarishma wrote: krishnasty wrote: Hi Guys, came across this problem without a OA. Please help me find a solution: x^2 - |x| - 12 --------------- >= 2x x-3 Please post your solutions along with explanation. --------------------------------------------- Consider KUDOS if you like my post!!! I am assuming your question is: $$\frac{{x^2 - |x| - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 2x$$ First of all, remember that we cannot cross multiply in this case. The reason is that we do not know the sign of (x - 3). To handle the 2x on the right hand side, bring it to the left hand side to get: $$\frac{{x^2 - |x| - 12}}{{x - 3}} - 2x >= 0$$ $$\frac{{-x^2 - |x| + 6x - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 0$$ Now take 2 cases. Case 1: If x >= 0, |x| = x $$\frac{{-x^2 - x + 6x - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 0$$ $$\frac{{x^2 - 5x + 12}}{{x - 3}} <= 0$$ (We flipped the sign of left hand side and hence the inequality flipped too.) Now, $$x^2 - 5x + 12$$ has no real roots. It will always be positive. (because $$b^2 - 4ac$$ is negative so we know that it has no real roots. Put x = 0, you get 12 which is positive. So this quadratic will never touch the x axis and will always remain above it.) So for the left hand side to be negative, x < 3. (x cannot be 3 because in that case the denominator will be 0.) Since x has to be greater than 0, the only solution here is 0 <= x < 3. Case 2: If x <= 0, |x| = -x $$\frac{{-x^2 + x + 6x - 12}}{{x - 3}} >= 0$$ $$\frac{{x^2 - 7x + 12}}{{x - 3}} <= 0$$ (We flipped the sign of left hand side and hence the inequality flipped too.) $$\frac{{(x - 4)(x - 3)}}{{x - 3}} <= 0$$ or x <= 4 Since x has to be less than(or equal to) 0, the only solution here is x <= 0. Combining the solutions above, we get x < 3 as the final solution. (I have assumed that you are comfortable with quadratic expressions and solving for inequalities once you have factors. If you are not, let me know and I will point you to the related theory.) +1 to you . Thats a Good 1 _________________ This time , its my time . Director Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 627 Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink] ### Show Tags 31 Jan 2011, 01:16 okies, this is a great explanation , concept cleared , thanks karishma. there is one question : when can one be sure that a quadratic expression is always +ve ? _________________ What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy. Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7447 Location: Pune, India Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink] ### Show Tags 31 Jan 2011, 06:43 garimavyas wrote: okies, this is a great explanation , concept cleared , thanks karishma. there is one question : when can one be sure that a quadratic expression is always +ve ? When you see x^2 - 5x + 12, think - will it have roots such that their sum is -5 and product is 12? Since product is +ve, and sum -ve, both roots should be negative. But will any two -ve roots add up to give -5 such that their product is 12? (e.g. -1, -4 or -2, -3 etc we do not get 12 as product) No. To confirm, notice that b^2 - 4ac (where a = 1, b = -5 and c = 12) is -ve here so it has no real roots. Just put x = 0 and you get x^2 - 5x + 12 = 12 which is positive. This means the graph of this expression lies above the x axis. Remember, it will not meet the x axis anywhere because it has no real roots. Hence x^2 - 5x + 12 will always be positive. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink]

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31 Jan 2011, 08:35
hey ,
clearer now, thanks a ton
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Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink]

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31 Jan 2011, 09:32
1
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Expert's post
garimavyas wrote:
okies, this is a great explanation , concept cleared , thanks karishma. there is one question : when can one be sure that a quadratic expression is always +ve ?

Quadratic expression $$ax^2+bx+c$$ is always positive when 1. $$a$$, the coefficient of $$x^2$$, is positive: $$a>0$$ AND 2. the equation $$ax^2+bx+c=0$$ has no real roots, which happens when discriminant is negative, so when $$d=b^2-4ac<0$$.

In this case the graph (parabola) of the function $$f(x)=ax^2+bx+c$$ is upward and lies above the X-axis, thus is always positive.

Similarly quadratic expression $$ax^2+bx+c$$ is always negative when 1. $$a$$, the coefficient of $$x^2$$, is negative: $$a<0$$ AND 2. the equation $$ax^2+bx+c=0$$ has no real roots, which happens when discriminant is negative, so when $$d=b^2-4ac<0$$.

Check Coordinate Geometry chapter of Math Book for more: math-coordinate-geometry-87652.html

Hope it helps.
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Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink]

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31 Jan 2011, 09:54
that solidifies the work of Karishma . now it is formulated .

thanks Karishma and Bunuel
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Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x [#permalink]

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Re: (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x   [#permalink] 01 Oct 2015, 20:25
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# (x^2 - |x| - 12)/(x-3) >= 2x

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