BACKSOLVE Page 17 of 949

Least or Greatest Value of x

Example: What is the smallest number that
Question asks not just for x but smallest (or largest) that satisfies constraints is a multiple of 4, 6, and 9?
(A) 18 (B) 36 (C) 72
Start with A or E depending on which matches the word (D) 108 (E) 216
Try A first. 18 is not multiple of 4
Work way towards the opposite endof the list until an answer is correct 36 is multiple of all 3. B it is

Question is a Number Times x

Example: x > 0. Which can be −4x?
Question asks for the value of quantity like 4x or −6x rather than x (A) −12 (B) 0 (C) 12
(B) −4x = 0 ⇒ x = 0 but x > 0
Set the question equal to an answer choice and solve for x (C) −4x = 12 ⇒ x = −3 but x > 0
(A) −4x = −4 ⇒ x = 1. A it is
Proceed to check whether x satisfies the constraints

Cannot Question: Which cannot be x

Example: 2x + 6 > 10. Which CANNOT be
Answer satisfying every constraint is now not correct x?
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4
If one constraint fails, then the answer is now correct B 2(3) + 6 > 10 ⇒ 12 > 10. Can be 3
A 2(2) + 6 > 10 ⇒ 10 > 10. Cannot be 2
The exact opposite of the normal Backsolve logic

Ordered Pair: (x, y) Can Lend to Backsolve

Example: Which x and y does x + y = 6?
Though 2 variables, it lends to backsolve because it is one coordinate (A) x = 6, y = 6
(B) x = 6, y = 3
If asked for x and y separately, can be interpreted as an ordered pair (C) x = 3, y = 3
(D) x = 3, y = 0
Answer choices must still contain numerical values for both x and y (E) x = 0, y = 0

Choices can be provided as either as x = number, y = number or as (x, y) C Indeed, 3 + 3 = 6. C it is

Answer Choices of Equations Can Lend to Backsolve

Example: In which equation is x = 5 a
Question may ask which equation in terms of y satisfies a property? solution?
(A) x + 5 = 0
Can be a slope-intercept equation as in y = mx + b or y = 2x + 3 (B) x − 5 = 0
(C) 5x = 0
Likewise, can be a function, which will be covered, as in f (x) = 2x + 3 (D) 5x = 0
(E) 5x = 5
Lends to backsolve because y can be interpreted as variable being solve for
C 5(5) = 25, not 0
Not clear what to try next. Maybe B
Although choices are not numerical, only 5 possible answers
Indeed, (5) − 5 = 0. B it is

©No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,
recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author to do so.