If - 3 ≤ x ≤ 5 and - 5 ≤ y ≤ 3, what is the smallest value of (2x - y)?

Explanation

B) −9. To make 2x − y as small as possible, take x at its lowest and y at its highest, since y is subtracted. So x = −3 and y = 3, giving 2(−3) − 3 = −6 − 3 = −9. Any other pair inside the ranges gives a larger value.