Largest Value of a for Infinite Solutions

CAT 2022 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Medium · Modulus Function

The largest real value of aa for which the equation ∣x+a∣+∣x−1∣=2|x + a| + |x - 1| = 2 has an infinite number of solutions for xx is

  1. A.

    -1

  2. B.

    0

  3. C.

    1

  4. D.

    2

Answer

C

Explanation

The equation ∣x−u∣+∣x−v∣=d|x - u| + |x - v| = d has infinitely many solutions if and only if d=∣u−v∣d = |u - v|, and in that case the solutions are all xx in the interval between uu and vv.

Here, u=−au = -a and v=1v = 1. So we must have ∣−a−1∣=2|-a - 1| = 2, which means ∣a+1∣=2|a + 1| = 2.

Thus: a+1=2  ⟹  a=1a + 1 = 2 \implies a = 1 a+1=−2  ⟹  a=−3a + 1 = -2 \implies a = -3

The largest real value of aa is 11.

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