2.5 Sub Chapter Notes

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Unit: Equations and Inequalities Module: Absolute Value Equations [Page 1 of 1]

Matching Number Lines with Absolute Value

• Absolute value is the distance a number is from 0 on the number line. It is


always positive or equal to 0.

• An absolute value with a “less than” statement indicates that all the
solution values are between the endpoints approaching 0.

• An absolute value with a “greater than” statement indicates that all the
solution values are outside the endpoints moving away from 0.

• The solution set for any inequality is shown by a line covering all possible
values. The endpoints are shown with hollow dots or parentheses if the
endpoints are not included in the solution set. The endpoints are shown
with solid dots or square brackets if the endpoints are included in the
solution.

Notice that the solution for this problem is shown by the


red line with the parentheses on –3 and +3. The red line
indicates that any value between –3 and +3 will satisfy
the problem. The parentheses show that the endpoints
are NOT included in the solution set. The variable can go
to any value between –3 and +3 up to, but not including,
those endpoints themselves.

In this problem you see the red lines indicating the


solution set again. The square brackets on +4 and –4
indicate that they ARE included in the solution set for the
problem. So this problem is solved by any value larger
than and including +4 or smaller than and including –4.

Notice the solid dots here. They tell you that +4 and –4
are included in the solution set. The solid dots are an
alternative to the square brackets.
In this case, the hollow circles on +4 and –4 indicate that
those values are NOT included in the solution set. They
are an alternative to the parentheses.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6455 –rev 04/23/2001

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Unit: Equations and Inequalities Module: Absolute Value Equations [Page 1 of 1]

Solving Absolute Value Equations

• The absolute value of a number states how far that number lies on the
number line from 0. It does not indicate in which direction the number lies;
i.e., whether it is positive or negative.

• The notation for absolute value places a vertical line on each side of the
variable, number or expression for which absolute value is denoted; e.g.,
|x| indicates “absolute value of x.”

• If the absolute value of a number is equal to a value, you know that the
number lies that many units from 0 in one direction or the other.

The absolute value in this case indicates that the


expression (3x - 1) equals +2 or –2. You must solve for
both.

Set up the equations for each possibility.

Solve for x in each equation.

When you substitute each of these values into the


expression, you find that both work.
When x = 1, your expression is |2| which is 2. When x = -
1/3, your expression is |-2| which is also 2.

The process is the same with this example. However,


you will have additional steps because of the rational
expression.

Set up both equations.

Cross multiply to eliminate the denominators.

Solve for x.

Remember to check your answers.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6489 –rev 04/23/2001

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Unit: Equations and Inequalities Module: Absolute Value [Page 1 of 1]

Solving Equations with Two Absolute Value Expressions

• Some equations have two absolute value expressions in them. Once you
have tried all the possible combinations, you will find there are only two
distinct equations involved.

• Set up your two possible equations and solve for the variable.

• Check your answers in the original absolute value equation.

Your problem has two absolute value expressions.

Create your two equations to handle all the


combinations.

Solve for x.

Again you have two absolute value expressions. In this


example, however, they compose a rational expression.

Set up your two equations.

Solve for your variable, in this case A, in each equation.

Remember to check your work. This, as always, is one


of the most important steps for your accuracy.

One at a time, substitute each of your values for A, 7


and 1/5, into the original equation and see if you get a
true statement with either, none or both of them.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6493 –rev 04/23/2001

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