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−200 x 600 200 −200 + 600 x 600 + 600 200 + 600 400 x 800

This means our returns would be between $400 and $800.

To solve absolute value inequalities, just as with absolute value equations, we write two inequalities and then solve them independently.

Absolute value inequalities

For an algebraic expression X, and k > 0 , an absolute value inequality is an inequality of the form

| X | < k  is equivalent to  k < X < k | X | > k  is equivalent to  X < k  or  X > k

These statements also apply to | X | k and | X | k .

Determining a number within a prescribed distance

Describe all values x within a distance of 4 from the number 5.

We want the distance between x and 5 to be less than or equal to 4. We can draw a number line, such as in [link] , to represent the condition to be satisfied.

A number line with one tick mark in the center labeled: 5.  The tick marks on either side of the center one are not marked.  Arrows extend from the center tick mark to the outer tick marks, both are labeled 4.

The distance from x to 5 can be represented using an absolute value symbol, | x 5 | . Write the values of x that satisfy the condition as an absolute value inequality.

| x 5 | 4

We need to write two inequalities as there are always two solutions to an absolute value equation.

x 5 4 and x 5 4 x 9 x 1

If the solution set is x 9 and x 1 , then the solution set is an interval including all real numbers between and including 1 and 9.

So | x 5 | 4 is equivalent to [ 1 , 9 ] in interval notation.

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Describe all x- values within a distance of 3 from the number 2.

| x −2 | 3

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Solving an absolute value inequality

Solve | x 1 | 3 .

| x 1 | 3 −3 x 1 3 −2 x 4 [ −2 , 4 ]
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Using a graphical approach to solve absolute value inequalities

Given the equation y = 1 2 | 4 x 5 | + 3 , determine the x -values for which the y -values are negative.

We are trying to determine where y < 0 , which is when 1 2 | 4 x 5 | + 3 < 0. We begin by isolating the absolute value.

1 2 | 4 x 5 | < 3 Multiply both sides by –2, and reverse the inequality . | 4 x 5 | > 6

Next, we solve for the equality | 4 x 5 | = 6.

4 x 5 = 6 4 x 5 = 6 4 x = 11 or 4 x = 1 x = 11 4 x = 1 4

Now, we can examine the graph to observe where the y- values are negative. We observe where the branches are below the x- axis. Notice that it is not important exactly what the graph looks like, as long as we know that it crosses the horizontal axis at x = 1 4 and x = 11 4 , and that the graph opens downward. See [link] .

A coordinate plan with the x-axis ranging from -5 to 5 and the y-axis ranging from -4 to 4.  The function y = -1/2|4x – 5| + 3 is graphed.  An open circle appears at the point -0.25 and an arrow
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Solve 2 | k 4 | 6.

k 1 or k 7 ; in interval notation, this would be ( , 1 ] [ 7 , ) .

A coordinate plane with the x-axis ranging from -1 to 9 and the y-axis ranging from -3 to 8.  The function y = -2|k  4| + 6 is graphed and everything above the function is shaded in.
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Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with linear inequalities and absolute value inequalities.

Key concepts

  • Interval notation is a method to indicate the solution set to an inequality. Highly applicable in calculus, it is a system of parentheses and brackets that indicate what numbers are included in a set and whether the endpoints are included as well. See [link] and [link] .
  • Solving inequalities is similar to solving equations. The same algebraic rules apply, except for one: multiplying or dividing by a negative number reverses the inequality. See [link] , [link] , [link] , and [link] .
  • Compound inequalities often have three parts and can be rewritten as two independent inequalities. Solutions are given by boundary values, which are indicated as a beginning boundary or an ending boundary in the solutions to the two inequalities. See [link] and [link] .
  • Absolute value inequalities will produce two solution sets due to the nature of absolute value. We solve by writing two equations: one equal to a positive value and one equal to a negative value. See [link] and [link] .
  • Absolute value inequalities can also be solved by graphing. At least we can check the algebraic solutions by graphing, as we cannot depend on a visual for a precise solution. See [link] .

Questions & Answers

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In economics, a perfect market refers to a theoretical construct where all participants have perfect information, goods are homogenous, there are no barriers to entry or exit, and prices are determined solely by supply and demand. It's an idealized model used for analysis,
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When MP₁ becomes negative, TP start to decline. Extuples Suppose that the short-run production function of certain cut-flower firm is given by: Q=4KL-0.6K2 - 0.112 • Where is quantity of cut flower produced, I is labour input and K is fixed capital input (K-5). Determine the average product of lab
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Extuples Suppose that the short-run production function of certain cut-flower firm is given by: Q=4KL-0.6K2 - 0.112 • Where is quantity of cut flower produced, I is labour input and K is fixed capital input (K-5). Determine the average product of labour (APL) and marginal product of labour (MPL)
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Quantity demanded refers to the specific amount of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a give price and within a specific time period. Demand, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses the entire relationship between price and quantity demanded
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Economic growth as an increase in the production and consumption of goods and services within an economy.but Economic development as a broader concept that encompasses not only economic growth but also social & human well being.
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In economics, the contract curve refers to the set of points in an Edgeworth box diagram where both parties involved in a trade cannot be made better off without making one of them worse off. It represents the Pareto efficient allocations of goods between two individuals or entities, where neither p
Cornelius
In economics, the contract curve refers to the set of points in an Edgeworth box diagram where both parties involved in a trade cannot be made better off without making one of them worse off. It represents the Pareto efficient allocations of goods between two individuals or entities,
Cornelius
Suppose a consumer consuming two commodities X and Y has The following utility function u=X0.4 Y0.6. If the price of the X and Y are 2 and 3 respectively and income Constraint is birr 50. A,Calculate quantities of x and y which maximize utility. B,Calculate value of Lagrange multiplier. C,Calculate quantities of X and Y consumed with a given price. D,alculate optimum level of output .
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suppose the production function is given by ( L, K)=L¼K¾.assuming capital is fixed find APL and MPL. consider the following short run production function:Q=6L²-0.4L³ a) find the value of L that maximizes output b)find the value of L that maximizes marginal product
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What is the difference between perfect competition and monopolistic competition?
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Source:  OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
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