math destroyer test 9 #6

[Vsno123]

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What is the largest possible value of x in the solution to 2-x > 6 ?

The answer is there is no largest value...Why isn't the answer -5?

 

[Streetwolf]

What is the largest possible value of x in the solution to 2-x > 6 ?

The answer is there is no largest value...Why isn't the answer -5?

If you solve this problem you first get -x > 4 (subtract 2 from both sides) and then you flip it to x < -4.

If you plot this on a number line you get:

<=========(-4)------->

Where the left side is shaded (equals signs), the right side isn't (hypens), and the point itself (-4) is an OPEN circle.

The largest value of x is whatever number is JUST below -4, because the answer isn't -4 (note that it never said the answer has to be an integer).

No matter what number you choose JUST below -4 (for example, -4.01), I can always choose something larger (-4.009). So there is no largest number as an answer because you can keep getting closer and closer to -4 without reaching it.

 

[Vsno123]

If you solve this problem you first get -x > 4 (subtract 2 from both sides) and then you flip it to x < -4.

If you plot this on a number line you get:

<=========(-4)------->

Where the left side is shaded (equals signs), the right side isn't (hypens), and the point itself (-4) is an OPEN circle.

The largest value of x is whatever number is JUST below -4, because the answer isn't -4 (note that it never said the answer has to be an integer).

No matter what number you choose JUST below -4 (for example, -4.01), I can always choose something larger (-4.009). So there is no largest number as an answer because you can keep getting closer and closer to -4 without reaching it.

Sweet, I understand it! Thanks for the explanation Streetwolf. Glad to see you're still around on the DAT forums 🙂 👍