You can
put this solution on YOUR website! solve for |x+1| + |x-2|< 2
absolute value of x+1 and absolute value
of x-2 is less than or equal to 2
Use the principle that
if A > 0 then |A| = A
if A < 0 then |A| = -A
if A = 0 then |A| = 0
There are four cases to consider:
Case 1: x+1 > 0 AND x-2 > 0
x > -1 AND x > 2
This means x > 2
|x+1| + |x-2| < 2
x+1 + x-2 < 2
2x - 1 < 2
2x < 3
x < 3/2
This contradicts x > 2, so Case 1 is impossible.
Case 2: x+1 > 0 AND x-2 < 0
x > -1 AND x < 2
This means -1 < x < 2
|x+1| + |x-2| < 2
x+1 + -(x-2) < 2
x + 1 - x + 2 < 2
3 < 2
This is never true, so Case 2 is impossible.
Case 3: x+1 < 0 AND x-2 > 0
x < -1 AND x > 2
This is impossible so Case 3 is impossible.
Case 4: x+1 < 0 AND x-2 < 0
x < -1 AND x < 2
This means x < -1
|x+1| + |x-2| < 2
-(x+1) + -(x-2) < 2
-x-1 - x+2 < 2
-2x+1 < 2
-2x < 1
x > -1/2
But this contradicts x < -1
So Case 4 is impossible also.
There is no solution.
Edwin