document.write( "Question 1150767: I was taking a practice test and got the following question wrong:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Solve the following inequality:
\n" ); document.write( "-12x -3 > 45\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1. x = -8
\n" ); document.write( "2. x = -5.3
\n" ); document.write( "3. x = -4
\n" ); document.write( "4. x = -3.5\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The correct answer is \"x = -8.\" However, I selected number 2 (x = -5.3).
\n" ); document.write( "Both answers, when multiplied by -12 is greater than 45. Why is #2 wrong? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #772203 by ikleyn(52781) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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document.write( "In Math, the words \"Solve the following inequality\" mean \"Find all solutions of the following inequality\".\r\n" );
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document.write( "These two combinations of words are synonyms :  each is equivalent to the other.\r\n" );
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document.write( "When after these words and after the given  inequality the list of particular values follows, it is NOT a solution to the problem.\r\n" );
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document.write( "    It means that this problem, as it is worded, printed and presented in your post, is assigned, as the test,\r\n" );
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document.write( "    by the person UNFAMILIAR with the standard usage of words and terms in Math.\r\n" );
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document.write( "    In more simple expressions, the formulation of this problem, as presented in the post, is INCORRECT.\r\n" );
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document.write( "The solution to this problem is the set of all real numbers x such that x < -4.\r\n" );
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document.write( "And the number -8, as well as the number -5.3, are particular solutions to the problem, but not the entire solution \"in whole\".\r\n" );
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document.write( "If the person, who formulated the problem, wanted to ask \"which of the numbers from the following list satisfies to the given inequality ?\",\r\n" );
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document.write( "then he (or she) must formulate the question/(the problem) correspondingly.\r\n" );
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document.write( "In any case,  the options 1) and 2) of the post BOTH SATISFY to the given inequality, as it is presented in the post.\r\n" );
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