Math Problem Statement

Suppose we want to choose a value of x within 4 units of 15. [This means a value of x that is less than 4 units away from 15.] a. Think about some values of x that meet this constraint. b. Write an inequality that represents all values of x that meet this constraint. c. On the number line below, represent all values of x that meet this constraint.

Solution

The question in the image asks for a value of xx that is within 4 units of 15. Let's break it down step by step:

Part (a):

You need to think of some values of xx that are within 4 units of 15. This means that xx must be between 11 and 19, because 4 units away from 15 on either side would be: 154=11and15+4=1915 - 4 = 11 \quad \text{and} \quad 15 + 4 = 19 So, some values that meet this constraint would be numbers like 12, 13, 16, 18, etc.

Part (b):

Now, you're asked to write an inequality that represents all values of xx that meet this constraint. The distance from xx to 15 must be less than or equal to 4 units. This can be written as: x154|x - 15| \leq 4 This absolute value inequality means that xx must be within 4 units of 15, both above and below.

Part (c):

To solve the absolute value inequality, we can rewrite it as a compound inequality: 11x1911 \leq x \leq 19 So, on the number line, all values of xx between 11 and 19 (inclusive) will meet this constraint. You would draw a closed interval on the number line from 11 to 19, indicating that both endpoints are included.


Would you like further details or explanations about this problem? Here are some related questions to deepen understanding:

  1. What happens if we change the value of 4 units to a different number, such as 6 units?
  2. How do we graph absolute value inequalities on a number line?
  3. Can we solve more complex absolute value inequalities, like x73|x - 7| \geq 3?
  4. What is the meaning of the solution to an absolute value inequality?
  5. How would this problem change if the inequality was strict (i.e., x15<4|x - 15| < 4)?

Tip: Absolute value inequalities often translate to two separate inequalities and can be interpreted as distances on a number line!

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Absolute Value
Inequalities

Formulas

|x - 15| ≤ 4
11 ≤ x ≤ 19

Theorems

Absolute Value Inequality Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9