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Solve 2 | k 4 | 6.

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

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Key concepts

  • The absolute value function is commonly used to measure distances between points. See [link] .
  • Applied problems, such as ranges of possible values, can also be solved using the absolute value function. See [link] .
  • The graph of the absolute value function resembles a letter V. It has a corner point at which the graph changes direction. See [link] .
  • In an absolute value equation, an unknown variable is the input of an absolute value function.
  • If the absolute value of an expression is set equal to a positive number, expect two solutions for the unknown variable. See [link] .
  • An absolute value equation may have one solution, two solutions, or no solutions. See [link] .
  • An absolute value inequality is similar to an absolute value equation but takes the form | A | < B , | A | B , | A | > B , or  | A | B . It can be solved by determining the boundaries of the solution set and then testing which segments are in the set. See [link] .
  • Absolute value inequalities can also be solved graphically. See [link] .

Section exercise

Verbal

How do you solve an absolute value equation?

Isolate the absolute value term so that the equation is of the form | A | = B . Form one equation by setting the expression inside the absolute value symbol, A , equal to the expression on the other side of the equation, B . Form a second equation by setting A equal to the opposite of the expression on the other side of the equation, B . Solve each equation for the variable.

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How can you tell whether an absolute value function has two x -intercepts without graphing the function?

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When solving an absolute value function, the isolated absolute value term is equal to a negative number. What does that tell you about the graph of the absolute value function?

The graph of the absolute value function does not cross the x -axis, so the graph is either completely above or completely below the x -axis.

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How can you use the graph of an absolute value function to determine the x -values for which the function values are negative?

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How do you solve an absolute value inequality algebraically?

First determine the boundary points by finding the solution(s) of the equation. Use the boundary points to form possible solution intervals. Choose a test value in each interval to determine which values satisfy the inequality.

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Algebraic

Describe all numbers x that are at a distance of 4 from the number 8. Express this using absolute value notation.

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Describe all numbers x that are at a distance of 1 2 from the number −4. Express this using absolute value notation.

| x + 4 | = 1 2

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Describe the situation in which the distance that point x is from 10 is at least 15 units. Express this using absolute value notation.

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Find all function values f ( x ) such that the distance from f ( x ) to the value 8 is less than 0.03 units. Express this using absolute value notation.

| f ( x ) 8 | < 0.03

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For the following exercises, solve the equations below and express the answer using set notation.

| 6 x | = 5

{ 1 , 11 }

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| 4 x 2 | = 11

{ 9 4 , 13 4 }

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3 | 5 x | = 5

{ 10 3 , 20 3 }

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5 | x 4 | 7 = 2

{ 11 5 , 29 5 }

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2 | x 3 | + 1 = 2

{ 5 2 , 7 2 }

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| 3 x 2 | = 7

No solution

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| 1 3 x + 5 | = 14

{ 57 , 27 }

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| 1 3 x + 5 | + 14 = 0

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For the following exercises, find the x - and y -intercepts of the graphs of each function.

f ( x ) = 2 | x + 1 | 10

( 0 , 8 ) ; ( 6 , 0 ) , ( 4 , 0 )

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f ( x ) = 4 | x 3 | + 4

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f ( x ) = 3 | x 2 | 1

( 0 , 7 ) ; no x -intercepts

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f ( x ) = 2 | x + 1 | + 6

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For the following exercises, solve each inequality and write the solution in interval notation.

| x 2 | > 10

( , 8 ) ( 12 , )

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2 | v 7 | 4 42

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| 3 x 4 | 8

4 3 x 4

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| 3 x 5 | 13

( , 8 3 ] [ 6 , )

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| 3 x 5 | 13

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| 3 4 x 5 | 7

( , 8 3 ] [ 16 , )

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| 3 4 x 5 | + 1 16

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Graphical

For the following exercises, graph the absolute value function. Plot at least five points by hand for each graph.

For the following exercises, graph the given functions by hand.

y = | x 3 | 2

Graph of an absolute function.
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f ( x ) = | x 1 | 2

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f ( x ) = | x + 3 | + 4

Graph of an absolute function.
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f ( x ) = 2 | x + 3 | + 1

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f ( x ) = 3 | x 2 | + 3

Graph of an absolute function.
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f ( x ) = | 2 x 4 | 3

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f ( x ) = | 3 x + 9 | + 2

Graph of an absolute function.
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f ( x ) = | x 1 | 3

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f ( x ) = | x + 4 | 3

Graph of an absolute function.
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f ( x ) = 1 2 | x + 4 | 3

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Technology

Use a graphing utility to graph f ( x ) = 10 | x 2 | on the viewing window [ 0 , 4 ] . Identify the corresponding range. Show the graph.

range: [ 0 , 20 ]

Graph of an absolute function.
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Use a graphing utility to graph f ( x ) = 100 | x | + 100 on the viewing window [ 5 , 5 ] . Identify the corresponding range. Show the graph.

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For the following exercises, graph each function using a graphing utility. Specify the viewing window.

f ( x ) = 0.1 | 0.1 ( 0.2 x ) | + 0.3

x - intercepts:

Graph of an absolute function.
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f ( x ) = 4 × 10 9 | x ( 5 × 10 9 ) | + 2 × 10 9

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Extensions

For the following exercises, solve the inequality.

| 2 x 2 3 ( x + 1 ) | + 3 > −1

( , )

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If possible, find all values of a such that there are no x - intercepts for f ( x ) = 2 | x + 1 | + a .

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If possible, find all values of a such that there are no y -intercepts for f ( x ) = 2 | x + 1 | + a .

There is no solution for a that will keep the function from having a y -intercept. The absolute value function always crosses the y -intercept when x = 0.

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Real-world applications

Cities A and B are on the same east-west line. Assume that city A is located at the origin. If the distance from city A to city B is at least 100 miles and x represents the distance from city B to city A, express this using absolute value notation.

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The true proportion p of people who give a favorable rating to Congress is 8% with a margin of error of 1.5%. Describe this statement using an absolute value equation.

| p 0.08 | 0.015

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Students who score within 18 points of the number 82 will pass a particular test. Write this statement using absolute value notation and use the variable x for the score.

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A machinist must produce a bearing that is within 0.01 inches of the correct diameter of 5.0 inches. Using x as the diameter of the bearing, write this statement using absolute value notation.

| x 5.0 | 0.01

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The tolerance for a ball bearing is 0.01. If the true diameter of the bearing is to be 2.0 inches and the measured value of the diameter is x inches, express the tolerance using absolute value notation.

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Questions & Answers

for the "hiking" mix, there are 1,000 pieces in the mix, containing 390.8 g of fat, and 165 g of protein. if there is the same amount of almonds as cashews, how many of each item is in the trail mix?
ADNAN Reply
linear speed of an object
Melissa Reply
an object is traveling around a circle with a radius of 13 meters .if in 20 seconds a central angle of 1/7 Radian is swept out what are the linear and angular speed of the object
Melissa
test
Matrix
how to find domain
Mohamed Reply
like this: (2)/(2-x) the aim is to see what will not be compatible with this rational expression. If x= 0 then the fraction is undefined since we cannot divide by zero. Therefore, the domain consist of all real numbers except 2.
Dan
define the term of domain
Moha
if a>0 then the graph is concave
Angel Reply
if a<0 then the graph is concave blank
Angel
what's a domain
Kamogelo Reply
The set of all values you can use as input into a function su h that the output each time will be defined, meaningful and real.
Spiro
how fast can i understand functions without much difficulty
Joe Reply
what is inequalities
Nathaniel
functions can be understood without a lot of difficulty. Observe the following: f(2) 2x - x 2(2)-2= 2 now observe this: (2,f(2)) ( 2, -2) 2(-x)+2 = -2 -4+2=-2
Dan
what is set?
Kelvin Reply
a colony of bacteria is growing exponentially doubling in size every 100 minutes. how much minutes will it take for the colony of bacteria to triple in size
Divya Reply
I got 300 minutes. is it right?
Patience
no. should be about 150 minutes.
Jason
It should be 158.5 minutes.
Mr
ok, thanks
Patience
100•3=300 300=50•2^x 6=2^x x=log_2(6) =2.5849625 so, 300=50•2^2.5849625 and, so, the # of bacteria will double every (100•2.5849625) = 258.49625 minutes
Thomas
158.5 This number can be developed by using algebra and logarithms. Begin by moving log(2) to the right hand side of the equation like this: t/100 log(2)= log(3) step 1: divide each side by log(2) t/100=1.58496250072 step 2: multiply each side by 100 to isolate t. t=158.49
Dan
what is the importance knowing the graph of circular functions?
Arabella Reply
can get some help basic precalculus
ismail Reply
What do you need help with?
Andrew
how to convert general to standard form with not perfect trinomial
Camalia Reply
can get some help inverse function
ismail
Rectangle coordinate
Asma Reply
how to find for x
Jhon Reply
it depends on the equation
Robert
yeah, it does. why do we attempt to gain all of them one side or the other?
Melissa
how to find x: 12x = 144 notice how 12 is being multiplied by x. Therefore division is needed to isolate x and whatever we do to one side of the equation we must do to the other. That develops this: x= 144/12 divide 144 by 12 to get x. addition: 12+x= 14 subtract 12 by each side. x =2
Dan
whats a domain
mike Reply
The domain of a function is the set of all input on which the function is defined. For example all real numbers are the Domain of any Polynomial function.
Spiro
Spiro; thanks for putting it out there like that, 😁
Melissa
foci (–7,–17) and (–7,17), the absolute value of the differenceof the distances of any point from the foci is 24.
Churlene Reply
Practice Key Terms 2

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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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