Solve |a|-|18-9|+|4|<0: Multiple Absolute Value Inequality Analysis

Absolute Value Inequalities with Multiple Terms

Given:

a189+4<0 |a|-||18-9|+4|<0

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

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1

Understand the problem

Given:

a189+4<0 |a|-||18-9|+4|<0

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we need to work through the nested absolute values systematically and then solve the resulting inequality.

Step 1: Simplify the innermost absolute value
Let's start by evaluating 189 |18-9| :
189=9=9 |18-9| = |9| = 9

Step 2: Evaluate the outer absolute value
Now we substitute this result into the next layer:
189+4=9+4=13=13 ||18-9|+4| = |9+4| = |13| = 13

Step 3: Rewrite the original inequality
Substituting our result back into the original inequality:
a189+4<0 |a| - ||18-9|+4| < 0
a13<0 |a| - 13 < 0

Step 4: Isolate the absolute value
Adding 13 to both sides:
a<13 |a| < 13

Step 5: Solve the absolute value inequality
The inequality a<13 |a| < 13 means that the distance from aa to 0 is less than 13. This is equivalent to:
13<a<13 -13 < a < 13

Conclusion: The solution to the inequality is 13<a<13 -13 < a < 13 , which matches choice 1.

Therefore, the necessarily true statement is 13<a<13 -13 < a < 13 .

3

Final Answer

13<a<13 -13 < a < 13

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Evaluate absolute values inside expressions before solving inequalities
  • Technique: Simplify |18-9| = 9 and |4| = 4 first
  • Check: Test boundary values: when a = 5, |5| - 5 = 0 (not < 0) ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting to simplify constant absolute values first
    Don't try to solve |a| - |18-9| + |4| < 0 without evaluating the constants first = confusing expressions! This makes the problem unnecessarily complex. Always simplify |18-9| = 9 and |4| = 4 before working with the variable.

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 do I need to evaluate the constant absolute values first?

+

Evaluating constants like 189=9 |18-9| = 9 and 4=4 |4| = 4 simplifies your work! This turns the complex expression into a5<0 |a| - 5 < 0 , which is much easier to solve.

How do I solve |a| < 5?

+

When a<5 |a| < 5 , it means a is less than 5 units away from zero. This gives us 5<a<5 -5 < a < 5 , so a can be any number between -5 and 5.

What if I got |a| > 5 instead?

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If you have a>5 |a| > 5 , then a would be more than 5 units away from zero. This means a<5 a < -5 or a>5 a > 5 .

How can I check my answer?

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Test values from your solution! Try a=0 a = 0 : 09+4=5<0 |0| - 9 + 4 = -5 < 0 ✓. Try a=6 a = 6 : 69+4=1>0 |6| - 9 + 4 = 1 > 0

Why isn't a = 5 included in the solution?

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Because we need strict inequality (<). When a=5 a = 5 , we get 55=0 |5| - 5 = 0 , but we need the result to be less than 0, not equal to 0.

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