Question 8.

The expression on the right-hand side will have two critical points: 2 and -2

For any value of x greater than equal to 2, the equation changes to x+2-(x-2) = 4

the value of min{x,2} would be 2, so we would want max{x,2} to be 4+2 = 6

Therefore, x=6 works. 

For any value of x less than equal to -2, the equation changes to -(x+2)+(x-2) = -4

the value of max{x,2} would be 2, so we would want min{x,2} to be 6 again; this cannot be the case.

In general, subtracting the smaller (min) of the two values from the bigger (max) can not lead to a negative number. The max it can lead to is a 0

When x lies between -2 and 2,  the equation becomes 2x

The maximum function will give back 2, and the minimum function will give back x, with the right-hand side giving 2x

Solving this we would get 2-x = 2x which is x=2/3

Therefore, there are two real values of x for which the given equation holds. 

Hence, 2 is the correct answer.

The graph of the function on the right hand side can be visualised as:

Hence, 2 is the correct answer.