practice test problem

[deepeshkumar1991]

–8 ≤ X ≤ –3
–1 ≤ Y ≤ 2

On the number line Dave’s house is located at the midpoint between point X and point Y.

Quantity A

The location of Dave’s house when it is as close as possible to 0.

Quantity B
-1/2


Quantity A is greater.
Quantity B is greater.
The two quantities are equal.
The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

[tommywallach]

We want (x + y) / 2 (the mathematical equivalent of the midpoint between x and y) to be as close to zero as possible.

First, let's get x as close to zero as we can --> -3

Anything less than that will just pull our midpoint even farther away from x.

Now, if x is at -3, the closer y is to 3, the closer the midpoint of x and y will be to zero (because halfway between -3 and 3 is 0). The closest y can get is 2.

(-3 + 2) / 2 = -1/2

The answer is C.

Hope that helps!

-t