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Prep 2 SS · Mathematics
Numbers · Real numbers

Absolute Value

Before you start, make sure you know: Intervals, rays, and neighborhoods (High School Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2))
Before you start, make sure you know: Inequalities with one unknown (High School Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2))

At a parts factory in Monterrey, a part is accepted if its measurement deviates only a little from the ideal measurement, no matter whether it is over or under. The same thing happens with a survey's margin of error or with a change in price. Absolute value lets us talk about "how far off something is" without fighting with signs. At the end of the page you'll see how it is used in a real tolerance.

Definition: distance on the number line

The absolute value of a number is its distance from $0$ on the real number line. That is why it is never negative. And the distance between two numbers $a$ and $b$ is $|a-b|$.

Graph of the absolute value function shaped like a V, symmetric about the vertical axis, formed by the branches y = −x for x less than 0 and y = x for x greater than or equal to 0, with its vertex at the origin. y = −x y = x 0
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Calculate the numerical value of the following expressions using the definition of modulus: a) $|-12.5|$ b) $|7 - 15|$ c) $|\pi - 4|$ d) $|1 - \sqrt{2}|$

Calculate the numerical value of the following expressions using the definition of modulus:

  1. a) $|-12.5|$
  1. b) $|7 - 15|$
  1. c) $|\pi - 4|$
  1. d) $|1 - \sqrt{2}|$
Solve
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The temperature in a city on the Spanish plateau at 6:00 a.m. was $-3\,^\circ C$, while at 3:00 p.m. it rose to $14\,^\circ C$. Use the concept of absolute value to…

The temperature in a city on the Spanish plateau at 6:00 a.m. was $-3\,^\circ C$, while at 3:00 p.m. it rose to $14\,^\circ C$. Use the concept of absolute value to express and calculate the temperature distance (the difference in degrees) between the two measurements.

In the figure you can see the two temperatures placed on the number line of degrees.

Number line of temperatures with the points −3 °C (6:00 h) and 14 °C (15:00 h) marked6:00 h−3 °C15:00 h14 °C−5051015temperature (°C)
  1. a) Write, using absolute value, the expression that gives the distance between the two temperatures.
  1. b) Calculate its value and interpret it in the context of the problem.
Solve

Absolute value equations

A distance question: "which numbers are $5$ units away from $3$?" There are two: one to the right and one to the left.

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Find the values of $x$ that satisfy the following equalities: a) $|x| = 8$ b) $|x - 3| = 5$ c) $|x + 2| = 0$

Find the values of $x$ that satisfy the following equalities:

  1. a) $|x| = 8$
  1. b) $|x - 3| = 5$
  1. c) $|x + 2| = 0$
Solve
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Calculate the values of $x$ that satisfy the following equation: $$|2x + 8| = 14$$

Calculate the values of $x$ that satisfy the following equation:

$$|2x + 8| = 14$$
Solve

Absolute value inequalities

"Distance less than $r$" means being close; "distance greater than $r$" means being far away.

Number line showing the solution of |x| greater than 5: two rays, one to the left of −5 and one to the right of 5, with open circles at −5 and 5. |x| > 5 −5 5 0 x < −5x > 5 points more than 5 units from 0
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Represent on the real number line and write in interval form the values of $x$ that satisfy the following inequality: $$|x - 5| \le 2$$ You can do it on paper and send a…

Represent on the real number line and write in interval form the values of $x$ that satisfy the following inequality:

$$|x - 5| \le 2$$

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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Match each of the following modulus expressions with its corresponding interval: 1. $|x| < 3$ 2. $|x - 1| \le 2$ 3. $|x + 2| < 1$ Intervals:…

Match each of the following modulus expressions with its corresponding interval:

  1. $|x| < 3$

  2. $|x - 1| \le 2$

  3. $|x + 2| < 1$

Intervals: $A = [-1, 3] \quad B = (-3, 3) \quad C = (-3, -1)$

Solve
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Solve the inequality $|x| > 5$ and represent the solution graphically. Remember that this type of expression gives rise to a union of two infinite rays.

Solve the inequality $|x| > 5$ and represent the solution graphically. Remember that this type of expression gives rise to a union of two infinite rays.

Solve
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Solve the following absolute value inequality and represent the solution on the real number line. Express the final result using interval notation: $$|x - 4| \leq 3$$

Solve the following absolute value inequality and represent the solution on the real number line. Express the final result using interval notation:

$$|x - 4| \leq 3$$
Solve
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Solve the following inequality and express the solution as a union of intervals: $$ |2x - 7| \ge 3 $$ Also find which natural numbers less than 10 do not belong to this…

Solve the following inequality and express the solution as a union of intervals:

$$ |2x - 7| \ge 3 $$

Also find which natural numbers less than 10 do not belong to this solution set.

Solve

Neighborhoods and tolerances

An electrical resistor of $220\,\Omega$ with a tolerance of $5\,\Omega$ is valid if $x$ is close to $220$.

Number line centered at 220 ohms with a margin of 5 ohms on each side, bounding the acceptable interval from 215 to 225 ohms. 220 Ω 215 Ω 225 Ω 5 Ω 5 Ω |x − 220| ≤ 5
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Express the following sets of real numbers represented on the number line using modulus notation: a) The numbers whose distance from the origin is less than $4$. b) The…

Express the following sets of real numbers represented on the number line using modulus notation:

  1. a) The numbers whose distance from the origin is less than $4$.
  1. b) The numbers whose distance from the point $2$ is exactly equal to $3$.
Solve
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En una fábrica de componentes electrónicos, una resistencia debe tener un valor nominal de $220\ \Omega$. Por control de calidad, se acepta que el valor real $x$ de la…

En una fábrica de componentes electrónicos, una resistencia debe tener un valor nominal de $220\ \Omega$. Por control de calidad, se acepta que el valor real $x$ de la resistencia varíe respecto al nominal en un máximo de $5\ \Omega$.

En la recta de la figura se marca el valor nominal y un valor real cualquiera $x$, junto con su distancia al valor nominal.

Number line in ohms with the nominal value 220 and any actual value x, with its distance to the nominal value210220230nominal valuexdistance from x to the nominal value
  1. a) Escribe esta condición utilizando una desigualdad con valor absoluto.
  1. b) Resuelve la desigualdad y determina el intervalo de valores óhmicos aceptables para estas resistencias.
Solve
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An electronic component manufacturing company produces resistors that must have a nominal value of $220 \Omega$. For quality control reasons, a margin of error…

An electronic component manufacturing company produces resistors that must have a nominal value of $220 \Omega$. For quality control reasons, a margin of error (tolerance) of $5 \Omega$ is accepted.

  1. a) Write an inequality using modulus describing the acceptable resistance values $x$.
  2. b) Determine the interval of allowed values so that the component is not rejected.
Solve
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Express using an absolute value inequality the set of real numbers represented in the following graph:

Express using an absolute value inequality the set of real numbers represented in the following graph:

d = 4 d = 4 −2 0 2 4 6 Center
Solve
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In a statistical study on the monthly leisure expenditure of young people in a city, it has been determined that the mean is $900$ pesos with a maximum error of $240$…

In a statistical study on the monthly leisure expenditure of young people in a city, it has been determined that the mean is $900$ pesos with a maximum error of $240$ pesos.

  1. a) Express this situation using a neighbourhood $E(a, r)$.
  2. b) Write the corresponding modulus inequality.
  3. c) Could a young person spending $640$ pesos per month be included in this study group? Justify your answer.
Solve
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In a quality control check at an electronics components company, a $1500 \Omega$ resistor is accepted as valid if its actual value $R$ does not differ from the nominal…

In a quality control check at an electronics components company, a $1500 \Omega$ resistor is accepted as valid if its actual value $R$ does not differ from the nominal value by more than $2\%$.

  1. a) Write an inequality using modulus that represents the acceptable values of $R$.
  2. b) Determine the interval of values of $R$ that would cause the component to be rejected due to being above the limit.
Solve
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Given the following inequalities, identify which one defines a neighborhood with center $a = -2$ and radius $r = 3$ and solve the resulting inequality: a) $|x - 2| < 3$…

Given the following inequalities, identify which one defines a neighborhood with center $a = -2$ and radius $r = 3$ and solve the resulting inequality:

  1. a) $|x - 2| < 3$
  2. b) $|x + 2| < 3$
  3. c) $|x - 3| < 2$

Once identified, represent the complementary set graphically on the number line.

−8 −7 −6 −4 −3 −1 2 3 4 −5 −2 0 1 (-∞, −5] [1, ∞) r = 3 r = 3 a = −2 Neighborhood: |x + 2| < 3 Complement: |x + 2| ≥ 3
Solve

Combined, nested, and "far" conditions

When there are two conditions at once, solve each one separately, draw both on the same number line, and find where they overlap (intersection). To describe "far" from a point, use the inequality with $>$.

Three number lines: the interval (375, 525), the union of two rays outside [450, 550], and their intersection, the interval (375, 450). |P−450| < 75 → (375, 525) |P−500| > 50 intersection = (375, 450)

Nested absolute values

They are solved from the outside in. For example, $\big||x-3|-4\big|=2$ splits into $|x-3|-4=2$ or $|x-3|-4=-2$, that is, $|x-3|=6$ or $|x-3|=2$. From there you get $x=9,\ x=-3,\ x=5,\ x=1$.

Piecewise-defined function

To write $f(x)=|3x-9|$ in pieces, look at when $3x-9$ is positive: $f(x)=3x-9$ if $x\ge 3$, and $f(x)=-3x+9$ if $x<3$.

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Find the interval resulting from the following combined condition and represent it graphically: $$|x| > 2 \quad \text{and} \quad |x| \leq 5$$

Find the interval resulting from the following combined condition and represent it graphically:

$$|x| > 2 \quad \text{and} \quad |x| \leq 5$$
Solve
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Define the following absolute value function as a piecewise function: $$f(x) = |3x - 9|$$ State the expression of each branch and the interval on which each one is valid.

Define the following absolute value function as a piecewise function:

$$f(x) = |3x - 9|$$

State the expression of each branch and the interval on which each one is valid.

Solve
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Determine all real numbers $x$ that lie at a distance greater than $5$ units from the point $-1$. Express the solution in three different ways: 1. As a modulus…

Determine all real numbers $x$ that lie at a distance greater than $5$ units from the point $-1$. Express the solution in three different ways:

  1. As a modulus inequality.

  2. As the union of two intervals.

  3. Graphically on the number line.

Solve
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Determine the set of real numbers $x$ that simultaneously satisfy the following two distance conditions on the real number line. Express the final result using interval…

Determine the set of real numbers $x$ that simultaneously satisfy the following two distance conditions on the real number line. Express the final result using interval notation only:

  1. The distance between $x$ and $2$ is less than or equal to $5$.

  2. The distance between $x$ and $-1$ is strictly greater than $2$.

On the line in the figure, the two reference points, $-1$ and $2$, have been marked.

Real number line with the points -1 and 2 marked−5−4−3−2−1012345678−12
Solve
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Solve the following nested absolute value equation and represent the solutions on the number line: $$ \left| |x - 3| - 4 \right| = 2 $$

Solve the following nested absolute value equation and represent the solutions on the number line:

$$ \left| |x - 3| - 4 \right| = 2 $$ −4 −2 0 2 4 6 8 10 3 Center |x - 3| = 2 |x - 3| = 6 −3 x₁ 9 x₄ 1 x₂ 5 x₃
Solve
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Express using a single modulus inequality the set of points represented by the union of the following two intervals: $$ A = (-\infty, -5] \cup [9, +\infty) $$

Express using a single modulus inequality the set of points represented by the union of the following two intervals:

$$ A = (-\infty, -5] \cup [9, +\infty) $$
Solve
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A financial analyst observes that the price of a cryptocurrency has fluctuated following the rule $|P - 450| < 75$, where $P$ is the price in pesos. At the same time,…

A financial analyst observes that the price of a cryptocurrency has fluctuated following the rule $|P - 450| < 75$, where $P$ is the price in pesos. At the same time, another source indicates that for security reasons, the investment is only recommended if $|P - 500| > 50$.

Determine the price interval in which both conditions are satisfied to make a safe investment according to these data.

Solve
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Consider the points $A$ and $B$ on the number line such that their coordinates are the solutions to the equation $|x + 4| = 6$. Let $P$ be any point on the number line…

Consider the points $A$ and $B$ on the number line such that their coordinates are the solutions to the equation $|x + 4| = 6$.

Let $P$ be any point on the number line with coordinate $x$. Write an expression with modulus representing the condition: "The distance from $P$ to the midpoint of the segment $AB$ is less than 2 units". Solve this inequality.

Distance Analysis on the Number Line Soluciones de | x + 4 | = 6 6 6 2 2 A x = ? B x = ? M Midpoint x = ? P(x) Condición: d(P, M) < 2 → | x - ? | < 2 Find the value of M and solve the resulting inequality
Solve
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Determine the set of real numbers $x$ that satisfy the following nested absolute value condition: $$| |2x - 5| - 3 | \le 2$$ a) Solve the inequality and express the…

Determine the set of real numbers $x$ that satisfy the following nested absolute value condition:

$$| |2x - 5| - 3 | \le 2$$
  1. a) Solve the inequality and express the result using interval notation.
  1. b) Represent the solution set on the real number line (you can use the number line in the figure, which is left blank, as a guide).
  1. c) Describe the solution as a union of (closed) neighborhoods, stating the center and radius of each one.
Real number line with marks from −1 to 6, with no set marked−10123456x
Solve

Back to the beginning: the Monterrey part is accepted when $|x-\text{ideal measurement}|\le \text{tolerance}$, an interval centered on the ideal measurement.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section