Absolute Value Inequalities

Tidewater Community College

Mr. Joyner
Absolute Value Inequalities
First a little review
What does absolute value of a
number (or expression) mean?
Absolute Value Inequalities
The absolute value of a real
number (lets call it x) is
defined as
, for x greater than or equal to zero
, for x less than zero
x
x
x

Absolute Value Inequalities

Writing this a little
more symbolically,
, 0
, 0
x x
x x
x

>
=
<
Absolute Value Inequalities
Wow! That a lot of
stuff. What does it
all mean?
Absolute Value Inequalities
You can think of the absolute
value of a real number as the
answer to the question
How far does this real number
lie from zero (the origin) on
the real number line?
Absolute Value Inequalities
Or more simply
What is the distance between zero
and this number?
Absolute Value Inequalities
Examples
6 6 + =
6 6 =
0 0 =
Absolute Value Inequalities
When solving an absolute value
equation, there are always two
cases to consider.
8 x =
In solving
there are two values of x
that are solutions.
Absolute Value Inequalities
8 x =
because the absolute value of
both numbers is 8.
8 or 8 x x = =
Absolute Value Inequalities
OK, now on to absolute value
inequalities.
Absolute Value Inequalities
we have two inequality senses
(directions) to deal with:
We only have one sense
(direction) to deal with for an
equation ( = ) , but
1. greater than ( > )
2. less than ( < )
Absolute Value Inequalities
In solving an absolute value
inequality, we have to treat the
two inequality senses separately.
Absolute Value Inequalities
For a real number variable or
expression (lets call it x) and a
non-negative, real number (lets
call it a)
Absolute Value Inequalities
a x <
The solutions of
are all the values of x that lie
between -a AND a.
Case 1.
Remember, we need the
distance of x from zero to be
less than the value a.
Absolute Value Inequalities
a x <
The solutions of
Where do we find such values
on the real number line?
Case 1.
Absolute Value Inequalities
a x <
Symbolically, we write
the solutions of
Case 1.
a x a < <
as
Absolute Value Inequalities
a x >
The solutions of
are all the values of x that are
less than a OR greater than a.
Case 2.
Remember, we need the
distance of x from zero to
be greater than the value a.
Absolute Value Inequalities
a x >
The solutions of
Where do we find such values
on the real number line?
Case 2.
Symbolically, we write
the solutions of
Absolute Value Inequalities
a x >
Case 2.
x a <
as
x a >
OR
Absolute Value Inequalities
Case 1 Example:
3 5 x <
3 5
2
x
x
>
>
and
8 x
5 3 x
<
<
8 x 2 < <
Absolute Value Inequalities
Case 1 Alternate
method:
3 5 x <
The two statements:
5 3 x and 5 3 x < > , ,
can be written using a shortened version which I
call a triple inequality
8 x 2
3 5 3 3 x 3 5
5 3 x 5
< <
+ < + < +
< <
This shortened version can
only be used for absolute
value less than problems.
It is not appropriate for
the greater than problems.
This is the preferred method.
Absolute Value Inequalities
Case 1 Example:
3 5 x <
Check:
Choose a value of x in the solution
interval, say x = 1, and test it to make
sure that the resulting statement is true.
Choose a value of x NOT in the solution
interval, say x = 9, and test it to make
sure that the resulting statement is false.
8 x 2 < <
Things to remember:
Absolute Value problems that are less than have an
and solution and can be written as a triple inequality.
Absolute Value problems that are greater than have an
or solution and must be written as two separate
inequalities.
The way to remember how to write the two inequalities
is: for one statement switch the order symbol and
negate the number, for the other just remove the abs
value symbols.
symbols val abs remove 7 5 x
or
Negate Switch 7 5 x
7 5 x
_ . _ ,
_ _& ,
>
s
>
Absolute Value Inequalities
Case 2 Example:
2 1 9 x + >
2 1 9
2 10
5
x
x
x
+ <
<
<
5 x <
2 1 9
2 8
4
x
x
x
+ >
>
>
4 x >
OR
or
Absolute Value Inequalities
Case 2 Example:
Check:
Choose a value of x in the solution
intervals, say x = -8, and test it to make
sure that the resulting statement is true.
Choose a value of x NOT in the solution
interval, say x = 0, and test it to make
sure that the resulting statement is false.
2 1 9 x + >
5 x < 4 x >
or
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