Solve |x+5| < 2: Absolute Value Inequality Analysis

Absolute Value Inequalities with Compound Statements

Given:

x+5<2 |x+5| < 2

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

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Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

Given:

x+5<2 |x+5| < 2

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve the inequality x+5<2 |x+5| < 2 , apply the property of absolute values which states that a<b |a| < b translates to b<a<b -b < a < b .

Therefore, 2<x+5<2 -2 < x+5 < 2 .

Subtract 5 from all parts of the inequality to isolate x x :

25<x+55<25 -2 - 5 < x+5 - 5 < 2 - 5

This simplifies to 7<x<3 -7 < x < -3 .

3

Final Answer

7<x<3 -7 < x < -3

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Property: |a| < b means -b < a < b
  • Technique: From |x+5| < 2, write -2 < x+5 < 2
  • Check: Test x = -5: |-5+5| = 0 < 2 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Splitting into two separate inequalities with OR
    Don't write |x+5| < 2 as x+5 < 2 OR x+5 > -2 = wrong logic! This gives you values outside the solution interval. Always use AND: -2 < x+5 < 2 creates the correct compound inequality.

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 does |x+5| < 2 become a compound inequality with AND?

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Think of absolute value as distance! |x+5| < 2 means the distance from x to -5 is less than 2. This creates a range of values, so x must satisfy both conditions simultaneously.

How is this different from |x+5| > 2?

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Great question! |x+5| > 2 would split into two separate regions: x+5 > 2 OR x+5 < -2. The key difference is < gives you one interval, > gives you two separate intervals.

What if I get confused about which direction the inequality goes?

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Remember: absolute value is always positive. So |x+5| < 2 means something positive is less than 2. This creates a bounded interval between two values.

How do I check if x = -4 works in the original inequality?

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Substitute: |(-4)+5| = |1| = 1. Since 1 < 2 is true, x = -4 is in our solution set. Always check with the original absolute value inequality!

Can the solution ever be empty for this type of inequality?

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Yes! If you had |x+5| < -1, there would be no solution because absolute values are never negative. But |x+5| < 2 definitely has solutions since 2 is positive.

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