TOPIC 1: ALGEBRA

A. MODULUS

• The modulus of a real number (also called the absolute value), denoted as |𝑥| - "𝑚𝑜𝑑 𝑥",
is the non-negative value of 𝑥 without regard to its sign.
• The modulus of function 𝒇(𝒙) = |𝒙| is defined as

|𝒙| = 𝒙 for 𝒙 ≥ 𝟎 (if 𝒙 is positive)

|𝒙| = −𝒙 for 𝒙 < 𝟎 (if 𝒙 is negative)

i.e. |𝒙| = ±𝒙

For example: |3| = 3 ; |3| = −3 ↔ |−3| = 3

• The absolute value of a number may be thought of as its distance from zero, which can only be
either positive value or zero.
• If we write

|𝒙| < 𝒂 , this means −𝒂 < 𝒙 < 𝒂

|𝒙| > 𝒂 , this means 𝒙 > 𝒂 ; 𝒙 < −𝒂

• When graphing 𝑦 = |𝑓(𝑥)|, we REFLECT the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the 𝑥 −axis whenever
𝒇(𝒙) < 𝟎.

e.g. a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 b) 𝑦 = |2𝑥 − 6|

• Solving modulus functions can be done in various methods:

1. Squaring both sides of the equation;
(which can only be used if the variable e.g. 𝑥, is inside the modulus expression)
2. Graphical method
3. Using the definition of modulus

MIZAHYASSIN 1
Examples:
1. Solve the equation |𝑥 − 2| = 3

Method 1: Squaring both sides of the equation

|𝑥 − 2| = 3

(𝑥 − 2)2 = 32
𝑥 (𝑥 − 2) − 2(𝑥 − 2) = 9
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 = 0
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 5 = 0
𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) − 5(𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑥=5 ; 𝑥 = −1

Method 2: Graphical method

|𝑥 − 2| = 3

Step 1: Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2,

𝑥 −2 −1 0 1 2
𝑦 −4 −3 −2 −1 0

Step 2: Reflect the negative 𝑦 values in the 𝑥 −axis,

Step 3: Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 3,
Step 4: Find where they intersect (the values of 𝑥 at these points are called the critical values)

Method 3: Definition of modulus

|𝑥 − 2| = 3

|𝒙| = ±𝒙

(𝑥 − 2) = +3 (𝑥 − 2) = −3
𝑥=5 𝑥 = −1

MIZAHYASSIN 2
2. Solve the equation |𝑥 + 2| = |3𝑥|

Method 1: Squaring both sides of the equation

|𝑥 + 2| = |3𝑥|

(𝑥 + 2)2 = (3𝑥)2
….
….
….
….
1
𝑥=− ; 𝑥=1
2

Method 2: Graphical method

|𝑥 + 2| = |3𝑥|

Step 1: Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 2,

𝑥 −2 −1 0 1 2
𝑦

Step 2: Reflect the negative 𝑦 values in the 𝑥 −axis,

Step 3: Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 3𝑥,
𝑥 −2 −1 0 1 2
𝑦

Step 4: Reflect the negative 𝑦 values in the 𝑥 −axis,

Step 4: Find where they intersect.

Method 3: Definition of modulus

|𝑥 + 2| = |3𝑥|

|𝒙| = ±𝒙

(𝑥 + 2) = +3𝑥 (𝑥 + 2) = −3𝑥
…. ….
…. ….
1
𝑥=1 𝑥 = −2

MIZAHYASSIN 3
3. Solve the inequality |2𝑥 − 3| < |𝑥|

Method 1: Squaring both sides of the equation

|2𝑥 − 3| < |𝑥|

(2𝑥 − 3)2 < (𝑥)2

….
….
….
….
1<𝑥<3

Method 2: Graphical method

|2𝑥 − 3| < |𝑥|

Step 1: Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 3,

Step 2: Reflect the negative 𝑦 values in the 𝑥 −axis,
Step 3: Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥,
Step 4: Reflect the negative 𝑦 values in the 𝑥 −axis,
Step 5: Find where they intersect,
Step 6: We want the region where |2𝑥 − 3| < |𝑥| (line of 𝒚 = |𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑| is below 𝒚 = |𝒙|)

Method 3: Definition of modulus

|2𝑥 − 3| < |𝑥|

|𝒙| = ±𝒙

(2𝑥 − 3) = +𝑥 (2𝑥 − 3) = −𝑥
𝑥=3 𝑥=1

Either: 1 < 𝑥 < 3 OR 𝑥<1 ; 𝑥>3

Check: Check: Check:
If 𝑥 = 2, substitute: If 𝑥 = 0, If 𝑥 = 4
|2(2) − 3| < |2| |2(0) − 3| < |0| |2(4) − 3| < |4|
|1| < |2| |−3| < |0| |5| < |4|
(TRUE) 3<0 5<4

(NOT TRUE)
∴1<𝑥<3

MIZAHYASSIN 4
4. Solve the inequality |4𝑥 + 3| > |2𝑥 − 1|

Method 1: Squaring both sides of the equation

|4𝑥 + 3| > |2𝑥 − 1|

(4𝑥 + 3)2 < (2𝑥 − 1)2

….
….
….
….
1
𝑥 < −2 ; 𝑥>−
3

Method 2: Graphical method

|4𝑥 + 3| > |2𝑥 − 1|

Step 1:
Step 2:

Method 3: Definition of modulus

|4𝑥 + 3| > |2𝑥 − 1|

|𝒙| = ±𝒙

(4𝑥 + 3) = +(2𝑥 − 1) (4𝑥 + 3) = −(2𝑥 − 1)

1
𝑥 = −2 𝑥 = −3

1 1
Either: −2 < 𝑥 < − 3 OR 𝑥 < −2 ; 𝑥 > −3
Check: Check: Check:
… …
… …
… …

1
∴ 𝑥 < −2 ; 𝑥>−
3

MIZAHYASSIN 5