Chapter 2.

7 Absolute
Value Inequalities
Objectives
Solve absolute value inequalities of the
form /x/ < a
Solve absolute value inequalities of the
form /x/ > a
Example 1
Solve: x 3


[ ]


The solution set is {-3, 3}
s
-5 0 -1 -2 -4 -3 4 3 2 1 5
Solving Absolute Value
expression of the form x < a
If a is a positive number, then x < a is
equivalent to a < x< a
Example 2:
Solve for m: m 6 < 2

Step 1: -a < x < a
Replace x with m - 6 and a with 2
-2 < m 6 < 2


Example 2 continued
Solve the compound inequality
-2 < m 6 < 2
-2 + 6 < m 6 + 6 < 2 + 6
4 < m < 8

The solution set is (4, 8) and its graph is,
Give it a try!
Solve x-2 1
s
HINT
Before using an absolute value
inequality property, you MUST
ISOLATE the absolute value
expression on one side of the
inequality!
Example 3:
Solve for x: 5x + 1 + 1 10
s
Give it a try!
Solve: 2x - 5 + 2 9
s
Example 4
Solve for x:

The absolute value of a number is always
nonnegative and can never be less than
13. This inequality has NO solution!
The solution set is { } or 0
13
10
1
2 < x
Give it a try!
Solve: 4
7
2
5 s x
Let x 3
The solution set includes all numbers who
distance from 0 is 3 or more units. The graph
of the solution set contains 3 and all points to
the right of 3 on the number line or 3 and all
points to the left of 3 on the number line..

The solution is ( - , -3] U [3, )
Form of x > a
>

Solving Absolute Value
Inequalities of the form x > a
If a is a positive number, the x > a is
equivalent to x < -a OR x > a
Example 5
Solve for y:

Step 1: Rewrite the inequalities without absolute value bars

y 3 < -7 or y 3 > 7
Step 2: Solve the compound inequality
y < -4 or y > 10

3 7 y >
Example 5 Continued
Step 3: Graph the inequalities



Step 4: Write the solution set
(-, -4) U (10, )


Give it a try!
Solve:
2 4 x + >
Example 6: Isolate the Absolute
Value expression!
Solve:

Step 1: Isolate the Absolute Value Expression




2 9 5 3 x + + >
5 2 5 9 5 3 x + > +
2 9 2 x + >
Example 6 - Continued
***Remember***
The absolute value of any number is always a
nonnegative and thus is always great than -2.
The inequality and the original inequality are
true for all values of x. The solution set is {x/
x is a real number} or (-,)

Example 7: Isolate the Absolute
Value Expression!
Solve:


Step 1: Isolate the Absolute Value Expression
1 7 5
3
x
>
7
3
7 1 7 5
x
+ > +
1
3
2
x
>
Example 7 - Continued
Step 2: Write the absolute value
inequality as an equivalent compound
inequality.

1 2 1 2
3 3
1 3
3 3
3 9
x x
or
x x
or
x or x
s >
s >
s >
Example 7 continued
Step 3: Solve each inequality


1 2 1 2
3 3
1 3
3 3
3 9
x x
or
x x
or
x or x
s >
s >
s >
Example 7 continued
Step 4: Write the solution set and graph

(-, -3] U [9, )


Give it a try!
Solve:
3 8 4
5
x
>
Example 8 - Zero
Solve for x:

**Remember the absolute value of
any expression will never be less than
0, but it may be equal to 0. Thus solve
the equation by setting it equal to zero!
( )
2 1
0
3
x +
s
Example 8 Continued
( )
2 1
0
3
x +
=
2( 1)
0
3
x +
=
2( 1)
0
3
3 3
x +
- = -
2 2 0 x + =
2 2 x =
1 x =
You give try!
Solve:
5( 3)
0
2
x
>
Chart on Page 113
Copy the chart from 113 into your notes!