16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardLeast integer in a compound inequality with a negative coefficient

Algebra practice question

What is the least integer value of x that satisfies −2 < 4 − 3x ≤ 10?

Answer: -2

Subtract 4: −6 < −3x ≤ 6. Divide by −3 and reverse both signs: 2 > x ≥ −2. The least integer is −2.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 1
1 is the greatest integer solution, not the least.
If you answered 2
2 comes from forgetting to reverse the inequalities when dividing by −3; in fact x < 2.
If you answered -1
−1 is not the least; −2 satisfies the inequality (4 + 6 = 10 ≤ 10).

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