Question adamrs

5.1 Linear Inequalities in One or Two Variables - Solving single-variable inequalities
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Adam’s school is a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride away from his house. The bus runs once every 30 minutes, and the number of minutes, w, that Adam waits for the bus varies between 0 and 30. Which of the following inequalities gives the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to school?

A.
w minus 5, is greater than 20
B.
w plus 5, is less than 20
C.
w plus 5, is greater than 20
D.
w minus 5, is less than 20

Adam’s school is a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride away from his house. The

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Linear Inequalities in One or Two Variables — Solving single-variable inequalities. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice D is correct. It is given that w is the number of minutes that Adam waits for the bus. The total time it takes Adam to get to school on a day he takes the bus is the sum of the minutes, w, he waits for the bus and the 5 minutes the bus ride takes; thus, this time, in minutes, is w + 5. It is also given that the total amount of time it takes Adam to get to school on a day that he walks is 20 minutes. Therefore, w + 5 > 20 gives the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to school.

Choices A and B are incorrect because w – 5 is not the total length of time for Adam to wait for and then take the bus to school. Choice C is incorrect because the inequality should be true when walking 20 minutes is faster than the time it takes Adam to wait for and ride the bus, not less.