Analyzing the Expression: -3 + | -4 + 8 |-5 + | a | < 0

Absolute Value Expressions with Impossible Inequalities

Given:

3+4+85+a<0 |-3+|-4+8|-5|+|a|<0

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

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1

Understand the problem

Given:

3+4+85+a<0 |-3+|-4+8|-5|+|a|<0

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll simplify and evaluate the absolute value expressions:

Firstly, simplify the inner part of the nested absolute mixed with constants:
Calculate each absolute:
4+8=4=4|-4 + 8| = |4| = 4. This uses basic absolute value rules.

Subsequently, substitute back into initial inequality:
3+45+a<0|-3 + 4 - 5| + |a| < 0. Simplify by arithmetic: 3+45=4=4|-3 + 4 - 5| = |-4| = 4. Thus, the expression turns to 4+a<04 + |a| < 0.

The expression can never be less than zero, because:

  • Since a|a| returns non-negative results.
  • The total sum of terms 4+a4 + |a| is always 4\geq 4, clearly contradicting the inequality demand that this whole larger structure must become negative.

Therefore, the expression 3+4+85+a<0 |-3 + |-4 + 8| - 5 | + |a| < 0 has No solution because it’s impossible under real number and absolute value rules.

3

Final Answer

No solution

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Absolute values are always non-negative, making some inequalities impossible
  • Technique: Simplify step by step: 4+8=4 |-4 + 8| = 4 , then 3+45=4 |-3 + 4 - 5| = 4
  • Check: Since 4+a4>0 4 + |a| \geq 4 > 0 , inequality <0 < 0 is impossible ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting absolute values are always non-negative
    Don't assume a |a| can be negative = wrong conclusion that solutions exist! Absolute values represent distance from zero, so they're always ≥ 0. Always remember that any expression like 4+a 4 + |a| must be at least 4.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Given:

\( \left|2x-1\right|>-10 \)

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't this inequality have any solutions?

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Because absolute values are never negative! Since a0 |a| \geq 0 for any real number a, the expression 4+a 4 + |a| must be at least 4, which can never be less than 0.

How do I simplify nested absolute value expressions?

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Work from the inside out! First solve 4+8=4 |-4 + 8| = 4 , then substitute to get 3+45=4=4 |-3 + 4 - 5| = |-4| = 4 . Take your time with each step.

What if the problem asked for ≥ 0 instead of < 0?

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Then it would have infinitely many solutions! Since 4+a4>0 4 + |a| \geq 4 > 0 is always true, any real number a would work.

Could I have made an arithmetic mistake?

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Let's double-check: 4+8=4 -4 + 8 = 4 , so 4=4 |4| = 4 . Then 3+45=4 -3 + 4 - 5 = -4 , so 4=4 |-4| = 4 . The arithmetic is correct!

Are there other types of impossible inequalities?

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Yes! Any time you have positive constants plus absolute values being less than zero, it's impossible. For example, 7+x<0 7 + |x| < 0 or y+2<0 |y| + 2 < 0 have no solutions.

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