Final answer:
To solve the absolute value inequality |x - 9| < 5, split it into 2 separate inequalities: x - 9 < 5 and -(x - 9) < 5. Solving these yields x < 14 and x > 4. So, the correct answer is x < 14.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the absolute value inequality |x - 9| < 5, you can split it into two separate inequalities:
1. x - 9 < 5
2. -(x - 9) < 5
Solving the first inequality, x - 9 < 5, you add 9 to both sides to get x < 14.
Solving the second inequality, -(x - 9) < 5, you multiply both sides by -1 and distribute the negative sign to get x - 9 > -5. Adding 9 to both sides gives x > 4.
Combining the solutions, we have x < 14 and x > 4. Therefore, the correct answer is option D) x < 14.