THEME 1: FUNCTIONS

UNIT 1.2: The Absolute Value

Steward Appendix page A6 – A9

The Absolute Value
The absolute value of 𝑎 is:
𝑎 = |𝑎 − 0|
This implies the distance between 𝑎 and 0
Activity 1
Examples:
 5 =
 −5 =
 3−1 =
 1−𝜋 =
Activity 1

 5 =5
 −5 = 5
 3−1 = 3−1
 1−𝜋 =𝜋−1
 Absolute Value Definition
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0
𝑥 =ቊ
−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0

Example: Write without the absolute value signs

and hence, sketch the graph

f x = |x − 4|
𝑥−4 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 − 4 ≥ 0
=ቊ
− 𝑥−4 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 − 4 < 0
𝑥−4 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4
=ቊ
4−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
 The graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = |𝑥 − 4| is:
𝑦
4

0 4 𝑥

Do you understand why?

 Activity 2
 Express |5𝑥 − 2| without the absolute value
symbol.
 Activity 2
Express |5𝑥 − 2| without the absolute value
symbol.
5𝑥 − 2 𝑖𝑓 5𝑥 − 2 ≥ 0
5𝑥 − 2 = ቊ
− 5𝑥 − 2 𝑖𝑓 5𝑥 − 2 < 0
2
5𝑥 − 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥≥
5
=൞ 2
2 − 5𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥<
5
General properties
 𝑎 =𝑎 if 𝑎≥0

 𝑎 = −𝑎 if 𝑎<0
More Properties of Absolute Values
1. 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏

𝑎 |𝑎|
2. =
𝑏 |𝑏|

3. 𝑎𝑛 = |𝑎|𝑛

Take note: You must know the proofs.

Hint: We can prove all the properties by
using 𝑎2 = |𝑎|
Proof that 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 . |𝑏|
RHS = 𝑎 . 𝑏
= 𝑎2 . 𝑏2
= 𝑎2 . 𝑏2
= (𝑎𝑏)2
= 𝑎𝑏
= LHS
 Suppose that 𝑎 > 0, then

4. 𝑥 = 𝑎 if and only if 𝑥 = ±𝑎

5. 𝑥 < 𝑎 if and only if −𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎

−𝑎 𝑎

6. 𝑥 > 𝑎 if and only if 𝑥 < −𝑎 or 𝑥 > 𝑎

−𝑎 𝑎
Activity 3
Example: Solve 2𝑥 − 5 = 3
∴ 2𝑥 − 5 = 3 𝑂𝑅 2𝑥 − 5 = −3
∴ 2𝑥 = 8 2𝑥 = 2
∴𝑥=4 OR 𝑥=1
Absolute Value Inequalities
Activity 4
Example solve for 𝑥:
Example 7: 𝑥 − 5 < 2
Example 8: |3𝑥 + 2| ≥ 4
1. Example 7: 𝑥 − 5 < 2
∴ −2 < 𝑥 − 5 < 2
∴3<𝑥<7

2. Example 8: |3𝑥 + 2| ≥ 4
∴ 3𝑥 + 2 ≤ −4 OR 3𝑥 + 2 ≥ 4
∴ 3𝑥 ≤ −6 3𝑥 ≥ 2
2
∴ 𝑥 ≤ −2 OR 𝑥≥
3
 The Triangle Inequality
If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers, then
𝑎 + 𝑏 ≤ 𝑎 + |𝑏|
PROOF
We know that − 𝑎 ≤ 𝑎 ≤ 𝑎
Is always true because 𝑎 equals either |𝑎| or − 𝑎 .
Similarly −|𝑏| ≤ 𝑏 ≤ |𝑏|
By adding the two inequalities we get
− 𝑎 + 𝑏 ≤𝑎+𝑏 ≤ 𝑎 + 𝑏
By applying properties 4 and 5 (replacing 𝑥 by 𝑎 +
𝑏 and 𝑎 by 𝑎 + |𝑏|, we obtain
𝑎 + 𝑏 ≤ 𝑎 + |𝑏|
Activity 5
Example 1:
If 𝑥 − 4 < 1 and 𝑦 − 7 < 2, use the
Triangle Inequality to estimate | 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 11|

Example 2:
If 𝑥 − 3 < 0.2 and 𝑦 − 10 < 0.5, use the
Triangle Inequality to estimate | 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 13|
Activity 5
Example 1: If 𝑥 − 4 < 1 and 𝑦 − 7 < 2,
use the Triangle Inequality to estimate
| 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 11|
Solution: | 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 11|
= | 𝑥 − 4 + (𝑦 − 7)|
≤ 𝑥 − 4 + 𝑦 − 7 (Triangle inequality)
< 1 + 2
=3
∴ 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 11 < 3
Activity 6
Example 2:
If 𝑥 − 3 < 0.2 and 𝑦 − 10 < 0.5, use the Triangle
Inequality to estimate | 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 13|
Solution: | 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 13|
= | 𝑥 − 3 + (𝑦 − 10)|
≤ 𝑥 − 3 + 𝑦 − 10 (Triangle inequality)
< 0.2 + 0.5
= 0.7
∴ 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 13 < 0.7
 Check the learning objectives
 Check the additional notes in the study
guide page 11Do the recommended
problems
 Additional exercises 1 to 4 in study guide on
page 11