2.

6
Absolute Value Equations and
Inequalities
Absolute Value Equations
Absolute Value Inequalities
Special Cases
Absolute Value Models for
Distance and Tolerance
A linear inequality in x can be written in one of the following
forms: ax+b<0, ax+b 0, ax+b>0 ax+b 0. In each form
a 0.
Example:
-x+7 0
-x -7
x7

When we multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by

a negative number, the direction of the inequality symbol
is reversed.
 Example Variables on Both Sides

Solve and graph the solution set on a number line:

4x 5 x 7
 Example Compound Inequality
Now consider two inequalities such as
-3<2x+1 and 2x+1 3
express as a compound inequality
-3<2x+1 3

In this shorter form we can solve both inequalities

at once by performing the same operation on all three
parts of the inequality. The goal is to isolate the x in
the middle.
ABSOLUTE VALUE (Meaning) EQUATIONS

Distance Distance
is 3. is 3.
Distance Distance
is greater Distance is Distance is is greater
than 3. less than 3. less than 3. than 3.

3 0 3

By definition, the equation x = 3 can be

solved by finding real numbers at a distance
of three units from 0. Two numbers satisfy
this equation, 3 and 3.

So the solution set is 3,3 .

ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUATILITY

X is an algebraic expression and c is a positive

number

means

means
However !
The graph of the solution set for x >c will be divided
into two intervals whose union cannot be represented as
a single interval. The graph of the solution set for x c
will be a single interval. Avoid the common error of rewriting
x c as -c<x>c.

means

means
Properties of Absolute Value
1. For b 0, a b if and only if a b or a b.
2. a b if and only if a b or a b.
For any positive number b:
3. a b if and only if b a b.
4. a b if and only if a b or a b.
 Example 1 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
EQUATIONS
Solve
a. 5 3 x 12
Solution

For the given expression 5 3x to have

absolute value 12, it must represent either 12
or 12 . This requires applying Property 1,
with a = 5 3x and b = 12.
 Example 1 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
EQUATIONS
Solve
a. 5 3 x 12
Solution
5 3 x 12

5 3 x 12 or 5 3 x 12 Property 1

3 x 7 or 3 x 17 Subtract 5.

7 17
x or x Divide by
3 3 3.
 Example 1 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
EQUATIONS
Solve
a. 5 3 x 12
Solution
7 17
x or x Divide by 3.
3 3
Check the solutions by substituting them in
the original absolute value equation. The
solution set is
7 17
,
3 3
.
 Example 1 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
EQUATIONS
Solve
b. 4 x 3 x 6
Solution
4x 3 x 6

4 x 3 x 6 or 4 x 3 ( x 6) Property 2
3x 9 or 4 x 3 x 6
x 3or 5 x 3
3

The solutionset is ,3 . x
5
3
5
 Example 2 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
INEQUALITIES
Solve
a. 2 x 1 7
Solution

Use Property 3, replacing a with 2x + 1 and b

with 7.
2x 1 7
7 2 x 1 7 Property 3

8 2 x 6 Subtract 1 from each

part.
4 x 3 Divide each part by 2.
 Example 2 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
INEQUALITIES
Solve
a. 2 x 1 7
Solution

4 x 3 Divide each part by 2.

The final inequality gives the solution set ( 4,

3).
 Example 2 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
INEQUALITIES
Solve
b. 2 x 1 7
Solution

2x 1 7
2 x 1 7 or 2x 1 7 Property 4
Subtract 1 from
2 x 8 or 2x 6 each side.

x 4 or x 3 Divide each
part by 2.
 Example 2 SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE
INEQUALITIES
Solve
b. 2 x 1 7
Solution

x 4 x 3 Divide each
or part by 2.

The solution set is ( , 4) (3, ).

 SOLVING AN ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITY
Example 3 REQUIRING A TRANSFORMATION

Solve 2 7 x 1 4.
Solution
2 7x 1 4
Add 1 to each
2 7x 5 side.

2 7 x 5 or 2 7x 5 Property 4

7 x 7 or 7 x 3 Subtract 2.
3 Divide by 7;
x 1 or x reverse the
7 direction of each
inequality.
 SOLVING AN ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITY
Example 3 REQUIRING A TRANSFORMATION

Solve 2 7 x 1 4.
Solution
3 Divide by 7;
x 1 or x reverse the
7 direction of each
inequality.

3
The solution set is , 1, .
7
 Example 4 SOLVING SPECIAL CASES OF
ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS AND
INEQULAITIES

Solve
a. 2 5 x 4
Solution Since the absolute value of a
number is always nonnegative, the
inequality is always true. The solution set
includes all real numbers.
 Example 4 SOLVING SPECIAL CASES OF
ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS AND
INEQULAITIES

Solve
b. 4 x 7 3
Solution There is no number whose
absolute value is less than 3 (or less than
any negative number). The solution set is
.
 Example 4 SOLVING SPECIAL CASES OF
ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS AND
INEQULAITIES

Solve
c. 5 x 15 0
Solution The absolute value of a number
will be 0 only if that number is 0. Therefore,

5 x 15 0 is equivalent to 5 x 15 0

which has solution set { 3}. Check by

substituting into the original equation.
 Example 5 USING ABSOLUTE INEQUALITIES
TO DESCRIBE DISTANCES
Write each statement using an absolute
value inequality.
a. k is no less than 5 units from 8.
Solution

Since the distance from k to 8, written

k 8 or 8 k , is no less than 5, the
distance is greater than or equal to 5. This
can be written as
k 8 5, or equivalently 8 k 5.
 Example 5 USING ABSOLUTE INEQUALITIES
TO DESCRIBE DISTANCES
Write each statement using an absolute
value inequality.
b. n is within .001 unit of 6.
Solution

This statement indicates that the distance

between n and 6 is less than .001, written

n 6 .001 or equivalently 6 n .001.

 Example 6 USING ABSOLUTE VALUE TO
MODEL TOLERANCE
Suppose y = 2x + 1 and we want y to be within .
01 unit of 4. For what values of x will this be
true?
Write an absolute
Solution y 4 .01 value inequality.
2 x 1 4 .01 Substitute 2x + 1 for y.

2 x 3 .01
.01 2 x 3 .01 Property 3

2.99 2 x 3.01 Add three to each part.

1.495 x 1.505 Divide each part by 2.