1986 AHSME Problems/Problem 7

Problem

The sum of the greatest integer less than or equal to $x$ and the least integer greater than or equal to $x$ is $5$ . The solution set for $x$ is

$\textbf{(A)}\ \Big\{\frac{5}{2}\Big\}\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \big\{x\ |\ 2 \le x \le 3\big\}\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \big\{x\ |\ 2\le x < 3\big\}\qquad\\ \textbf{(D)}\ \Big\{x\ |\ 2 < x\le 3\Big\}\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \Big\{x\ |\ 2 < x < 3\Big\}$

Solution

If $x \leq 2$ , then $\lfloor x \rfloor + \lceil x \rceil \leq 2+2 < 5$ , so there are no solutions with $x \leq 2$ . If $x \geq 3$ , then $\lfloor x \rfloor + \lceil x \rceil \geq 3+3$ , so there are also no solutions here. Finally, if $2<x<3$ , then $\lfloor x \rfloor + \lceil x \rceil = 2 + 3 = 5$ , so the solution set is $\boxed{E}$ .

1986 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 6	Followed by Problem 8
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1986 AHSME Problems/Problem 7

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