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OG 12, Q 50.

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OG 12, Q 50.

by smar83 » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:23 pm
This question is related to Absolute Values
( Positive/Negative Section )

Q. If y is an integer, what is the least possible value of Absolute Value ( 23-5y) ?

A.1
B.2
C.3
D.4
E.5

-> I thought absolute values are easy ! Whatever is in the bracket, becomes positive regardless. But, I guess when you equate the whole thing to zero, then there are some other concepts which I am missing.

My Approach : I started on the wrong foot, I assumed those answer choices as values of Y and went about substituting them. Then realized, they want the value of the equation and not Y.

Can some one help ? How do you solve this ? I know, It's not that difficult, but the OG explanation does not make sense.


Thanks.
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by Sher1 » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:28 pm
The best approach for problems like these is to the choose logical numbers.

23-5y

try a few values which would make this the smallest number possible

23-5(1)
18
23-5(2)
13
23-5(3)
10
23-5(4)
3
23-5(5)
2
23-5(6)
7
and keeps growing. so the smallest value is 2.
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by smar83 » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:32 pm
Ohh wow ! This was rather easy... I ended up confusing myself. What I tried to do was, that i started substituting those answer values in the equation to find some other value !! But, all they asked was the " least possible value "

Makes perfect sense... Thanks a lot !
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