Back to homeMathematics · Algebra 2 · Change subject
Start for free
Notes

Exercises: Modulus function

Practice★☆☆
Express the function $f(x) = |3x - 6|$ as a piecewise function, clearly indicating the intervals corresponding to each algebraic expression.

Express the function $f(x) = |3x - 6|$ as a piecewise function, clearly indicating the intervals corresponding to each algebraic expression.

Solve
Practice★☆☆
Calculate the numerical value of the function $g(x) = |-x^2 + 4x|$ for the points $x = -1$, $x = 0$, $x = 2$ and $x = 5$.

Calculate the numerical value of the function $g(x) = |-x^2 + 4x|$ for the points $x = -1$, $x = 0$, $x = 2$ and $x = 5$.

Solve
Practice★☆☆
Determine the domain and the range of the function $h(x) = |x| + 5$. Justify your answer based on the properties of absolute value.

Determine the domain and the range of the function $h(x) = |x| + 5$. Justify your answer based on the properties of absolute value.

Solve
Practice★☆☆
Given the following graph of an absolute value function, deduce its analytical expression in the form $y = |x - a|$.

Given the following graph of an absolute value function, deduce its analytical expression in the form $y = |x - a|$.

X Y 1 2 3 1 2 V(2, 0)
Solve
Practice★☆☆
Solve the equation $|2x - 8| = 0$ and explain what this result represents geometrically with respect to the graph of the function $f(x) = |2x - 8|$.

Solve the equation $|2x - 8| = 0$ and explain what this result represents geometrically with respect to the graph of the function $f(x) = |2x - 8|$.

Solve
Practice★☆☆
Given the following piecewise function: $f(x) = \begin{cases} x + 4 & \text{if } x \ge -4 \\ -x - 4 & \text{if } x < -4 \end{cases}$ Write its analytical expression in a…

Given the following piecewise function:

$f(x) = \begin{cases} x + 4 & \text{if } x \ge -4 \\ -x - 4 & \text{if } x < -4 \end{cases}$

Write its analytical expression in a compact form using absolute value.

Solve
Practice★☆☆
Express the quadratic absolute value function $f(x) = |x^2 - 25|$ as a piecewise function.

Express the quadratic absolute value function $f(x) = |x^2 - 25|$ as a piecewise function.

Solve
Practice★☆☆
Determine the exact coordinates of the points of intersection with the Cartesian axes of the function $h(x) = |x - 3| - 5$.

Determine the exact coordinates of the points of intersection with the Cartesian axes of the function $h(x) = |x - 3| - 5$.

Solve
Practice★★☆
In a laboratory, the deviation of the temperature of a chemical reaction from the ideal temperature of $22^\circ\text{C}$ is given by the function $D(t) = |2t - 12|$,…

In a laboratory, the deviation of the temperature of a chemical reaction from the ideal temperature of $22^\circ\text{C}$ is given by the function $D(t) = |2t - 12|$, where $t$ is the time in minutes. Express $D(t)$ as a piecewise function and determine at what instant the deviation is zero.

Solve
Practice★★☆
A company's profit margin, in thousands of dollars, with respect to its annual target is modeled by the function $M(x) = |x^2 - 40x + 300|$, where $x$ is the number of…

A company's profit margin, in thousands of dollars, with respect to its annual target is modeled by the function $M(x) = |x^2 - 40x + 300|$, where $x$ is the number of months elapsed. Express the function piecewise to identify in which periods the company was exactly on target, below it (before taking the absolute value) or above it.

Solve
Practice★★☆
Simplify the expression of the function $f(x) = 2x + |x - 4|$ by writing it as a piecewise function. Next, calculate the average rate of change in the interval $[2, 6]$.

Simplify the expression of the function $f(x) = 2x + |x - 4|$ by writing it as a piecewise function. Next, calculate the average rate of change in the interval $[2, 6]$.

Solve
Practice★★☆
In a billiards simulation, a ball bounces against the cushion located on the x-axis. The trajectory of the ball follows the function $y = 4 - |x - 3|$. Observe the…

In a billiards simulation, a ball bounces against the cushion located on the x-axis. The trajectory of the ball follows the function $y = 4 - |x - 3|$. Observe the representation and analytically determine the coordinates of the point where the ball reaches its maximum separation from the cushion and the points where it would impact the x-axis.

X Y P(3, 4) −1 7
Solve
Practice★★☆
Find analytically the points of intersection between the absolute value function $f(x) = |3x - 2|$ and the constant function $g(x) = 7$.

Find analytically the points of intersection between the absolute value function $f(x) = |3x - 2|$ and the constant function $g(x) = 7$.

Solve
Practice★★☆
A machine cuts metal rods with a target length of $250\text{ mm}$. The cutting error function is defined as $E(x) = |x - 250|$. If quality control requires that…

A machine cuts metal rods with a target length of $250\text{ mm}$. The cutting error function is defined as $E(x) = |x - 250|$. If quality control requires that $E(x) \le 1.5$, set up the corresponding inequality and determine the interval of valid lengths for the rods.

Solve
Practice★★☆
Express the function $f(x) = |x^2 - 5x + 6|$ as a piecewise function. State in which interval or intervals the original parabola $y = x^2 - 5x + 6$ has been reflected…

Express the function $f(x) = |x^2 - 5x + 6|$ as a piecewise function. State in which interval or intervals the original parabola $y = x^2 - 5x + 6$ has been reflected across the x-axis.

Solve
Practice★★☆
Determine the coordinates of the vertex and the points of intersection with the axes of the function $f(x) = -|2x - 6| + 8$. Do the branches of this function open upward…

Determine the coordinates of the vertex and the points of intersection with the axes of the function $f(x) = -|2x - 6| + 8$. Do the branches of this function open upward or downward?

Solve
Practice★★★
Given the function $f(x) = |x^2 - 2x + k|$, determine the value of the parameter $k$ knowing that the graph of the function touches the x-axis at a single point. For…

Given the function $f(x) = |x^2 - 2x + k|$, determine the value of the parameter $k$ knowing that the graph of the function touches the x-axis at a single point. For that value of $k$, express $f(x)$ without using absolute value.

Solve
Practice★★★
Express the rational function with absolute value $f(x) = \left| \frac{2x - 4}{x + 1} \right|$ as a piecewise function. Then, determine its domain and the equations of…

Express the rational function with absolute value $f(x) = \left| \frac{2x - 4}{x + 1} \right|$ as a piecewise function. Then, determine its domain and the equations of its horizontal and vertical asymptotes.

Solve
Practice★★★
The following graph shows a nested absolute value function of the form $f(x) = ||x| - c|$. Observe the vertices and points of intersection, deduce the value of $c$ and…

The following graph shows a nested absolute value function of the form $f(x) = ||x| - c|$. Observe the vertices and points of intersection, deduce the value of $c$ and write the expression of the piecewise function for the interval $x \in [-4, 4]$.

X Y −3 3 3
Solve
Practice★★★
The altitude error of an inspection drone during a maneuver is modeled by the sum of two absolute values: $E(t) = |t^2 - 4t + 3| + |t - 2|$, where $t$ is the time in…

The altitude error of an inspection drone during a maneuver is modeled by the sum of two absolute values: $E(t) = |t^2 - 4t + 3| + |t - 2|$, where $t$ is the time in seconds. Express the function $E(t)$ without using absolute values in the time interval $t \in [1, 3]$.

Solve
Practice★★★
Find analytically the points of intersection of the functions $f(x) = |x + 1|$ and $g(x) = |2x - 5|$. Hint: analyze the different cases according to the sign of the…

Find analytically the points of intersection of the functions $f(x) = |x + 1|$ and $g(x) = |2x - 5|$. Hint: analyze the different cases according to the sign of the expressions inside the absolute value.

Solve
Practice★★★
In signal processing, an inverted triangular wave can be modeled with the function $S(t) = A - |B t - C|$. Determine the parameters $A, B, C > 0$ knowing that the signal…

In signal processing, an inverted triangular wave can be modeled with the function $S(t) = A - |B t - C|$. Determine the parameters $A, B, C > 0$ knowing that the signal reaches its maximum value of $12\text{ V}$ at time $t = 5\text{ s}$, and that it crosses the x-axis (value $0\text{ V}$) at times $t = 2\text{ s}$ and $t = 8\text{ s}$.

Solve
Practice★★★
The graph shown corresponds to the function $f(x) = |x^2 + bx + c|$. From the observable singular points (roots and local maximum), set up a system of equations and…

The graph shown corresponds to the function $f(x) = |x^2 + bx + c|$. From the observable singular points (roots and local maximum), set up a system of equations and determine the values of the parameters $b$ and $c$.

X Y 2 6 4 M(4, 4)
Solve
Practice★★★
Find the domain of definition of the radical function $h(x) = \sqrt{8 - |x^2 - 8|}$. To do this, set up and solve the corresponding absolute value inequality.

Find the domain of definition of the radical function $h(x) = \sqrt{8 - |x^2 - 8|}$. To do this, set up and solve the corresponding absolute value inequality.

Solve