To win a contest, the number of beans in a jar has to be guessed within 20 of the actual number. If the number of beans in the jar is 645 , which equation can be used to find the minimum and maximum number of beans that will win the contest, and what is the maximum guess that could win?
Answer
A
start absolute value x minus 645 end absolute value is equal to 20 ; maximum guess: 665 beans
B
start absolute value x minus 20 end absolute value is equal to 645 ; maximum guess: 665 beans
C
start absolute value x minus 20 end absolute value is equal to 645 ; maximum guess: 635 beans
D
start absolute value x minus 645 end absolute value is equal to 20 ; maximum guess: 635 beans
Explanation
A winning guess must be no more than 20 away from the actual count, 645, so the boundary guesses satisfy |x − 645| = 20. Solving gives x = 645 − 20 = 625 and x = 645 + 20 = 665. Therefore, the maximum guess that could win is 665 beans, and choice A gives both the equation and the maximum.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.