16Hit1600
AlgebraHardTesting values against an inequality with x on both sides

Algebra practice question

For which of the following values of x is 7 − 2x greater than 3x + 22?

  1. A. −4Correct
  2. B. −3
  3. C. −2
  4. D. 0

Answer: A. −4

Solve 7 − 2x > 3x + 22: subtract 3x and 7 to get −5x > 15, then divide by −5 and flip: x < −3. Only −4 is less than −3. Check: 7 − 2(−4) = 15 and 3(−4) + 22 = 10, and 15 > 10.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. −3
At x = −3 both sides equal 13, so 7 − 2x is not greater.
C. −2
At x = −2: 11 versus 16, so 7 − 2x is smaller.
D. 0
At x = 0: 7 versus 22, so 7 − 2x is smaller.

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