Math Problem Statement

If 4 < a < 5 and 2 < b < 4, find all possible values of the expression b / (2a).

Solution

The problem asks to find the possible values of the expression b2a\frac{b}{2a}, given the constraints:

4<a<5and2<b<4.4 < a < 5 \quad \text{and} \quad 2 < b < 4.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Determine the range of values for aa:

    • Since 4<a<54 < a < 5, we know aa lies between 4 and 5. Therefore, the minimum value of 2a2a occurs when aa is smallest (i.e., 4), and the maximum value occurs when aa is largest (i.e., 5): 2×4=8and2×5=10.2 \times 4 = 8 \quad \text{and} \quad 2 \times 5 = 10. So, 8<2a<108 < 2a < 10.
  2. Determine the range of values for bb:

    • Given 2<b<42 < b < 4, we can directly say that bb lies between 2 and 4.
  3. Find the range of b2a\frac{b}{2a}:

    • The expression we are interested in is b2a\frac{b}{2a}. To find its range, divide the range of bb by the range of 2a2a: b2a=b2awhere2<b<4and8<2a<10.\frac{b}{2a} = \frac{b}{2a} \quad \text{where} \quad 2 < b < 4 \quad \text{and} \quad 8 < 2a < 10.

    • For the minimum value of b2a\frac{b}{2a}, take the smallest value of bb and the largest value of 2a2a: 210=0.2.\frac{2}{10} = 0.2.

    • For the maximum value of b2a\frac{b}{2a}, take the largest value of bb and the smallest value of 2a2a: 48=0.5.\frac{4}{8} = 0.5.

  4. Final range of b2a\frac{b}{2a}:

    • Therefore, the possible values of b2a\frac{b}{2a} lie between 0.2 and 0.5: 0.2<b2a<0.5.0.2 < \frac{b}{2a} < 0.5.

Conclusion:

The range of the expression b2a\frac{b}{2a} is (0.2,0.5)(0.2, 0.5).

Would you like any further clarification or more details on any of the steps?

Here are 5 related questions to think about:

  1. What happens if the inequality for aa changes to 4a54 \leq a \leq 5?
  2. How would the solution change if the range for bb was different, e.g., 1<b<31 < b < 3?
  3. What if the expression was 2ab\frac{2a}{b} instead? What would the range be?
  4. How would the problem change if both aa and bb could be negative?
  5. Can you generalize the process of finding the range of b2a\frac{b}{2a} for other intervals?

Tip: Always ensure that you carefully check the boundaries of inequalities when dealing with expressions involving division!

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Inequalities
Algebra
Fractions and Ratios

Formulas

Ratio formula for range: min(b)/max(2a) to max(b)/min(2a)

Theorems

Properties of Inequalities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10