Question

John and Alex play in the same soccer team. Alex scored 3 more goals than John, but together they scored less than 9 goals. What is the possible number of goals Alex scored?

• A. 4, 5, 6
• B. 5, 6, 7
• C. 4, 5, 6, 7
• D. 3, 4, 5

Answer 1

The correct option is D 3, 4, 5

Let the number of goals scored by John be x.
The number of goals scored by Alex = x + 3
Together, they scored less than 9 goals.
$x+x+3<9$
$2x+3<9$
$2x+3-3<9-3$ (subtracting 3 on both the sides)
$2x<6$
$\frac{2x}{2}<\frac{6}{2}$ (dividing by 2 on both the sides)
$x<3$
John can possibly score 0, 1 or 2 goals.
Therefore, the possible number of goals Alex scored 0 + 3 = 3, 1 + 3 = 4, and 2 + 3 = 5.