SAT Math · Nonlinear equations in one variable · medium

How many real solutions does the equation |3x - 6| = 2x have?

How many real solutions does the equation ∣3x−6∣=2x|3x - 6| = 2x have?

Answer and explanation

Answer: A: 2

Split the absolute value equation into two cases. Case 1: 3x−6=2x3x - 6 = 2x gives x=6x = 6. Case 2: 3x−6=−2x3x - 6 = -2x gives 5x=65x = 6 and x=65x = \frac{6}{5}. Because ∣3x−6∣|3x-6| cannot be negative, the right side 2x2x must be nonnegative, so x≥0x \geq 0. Both solutions satisfy that. Check x=6x = 6: ∣12∣=12=2(6)|12| = 12 = 2(6). Check x=65x = \frac{6}{5}: ∣3.6−6∣=2.4=2(1.2)|3.6 - 6| = 2.4 = 2(1.2). So there are 2 real solutions, choice A. Choice B (0) and choice C (1) miss a valid case, and choice D is impossible for a linear absolute value equation.

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