Question

A 16-ounce bag of sugar is supposed to weigh 16 ounces, but it is acceptable for the weight of the bag to vary as much as 0.4 ounces. Which absolute value inequality can be used to find (x), the acceptable weight of a bag of sugar?

a) (|x - 0.4| leq 16)
b) (|x - 16| geq 0.4)
c) (|x - 0.4| geq 16)
d) (|x - 16| leq 0.4)

Answer 1

The correct equation to find the acceptable weight of a 16-ounce sugar bag with a 0.4-ounce variance is (|x - 16| ≤ 0.4).

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct absolute value inequality to find the acceptable weight (x) of a 16-ounce bag of sugar, allowing for a variance of up to 0.4 ounces, is (|x - 16| ≤ 0.4). This inequality states that the distance between the actual weight x and the expected weight 16 must be no greater than 0.4 ounces. In this context, the absolute value sign indicates the positive distance regardless of whether the bag is over or under 16 ounces.