16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumCounting integers in a compound inequality

Algebra practice question

How many integer values of x satisfy 5 < 3x − 4 < 17?

Answer: 3

Add 4: 9 < 3x < 21. Divide by 3: 3 < x < 7. The integers are 4, 5, and 6: three values.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 includes one endpoint.
If you answered 5
5 counts 3 and 7, but both endpoints are excluded.
If you answered 12
12 is 21 − 9, the width before dividing by 3.

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