Unit 3 Absolute Value Functions, Equations, and Inequalities

3.1 Absolute Value Graphs and Transformations

Absolute Value : distance from zero on a number line

Absolute Value Parent Function 𝑦 = |𝑥| is the same as 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|

Vertex: (0,0)

Minimum Value at y = 0 No Maximum Value

Axis of Symmetry: x = 0 Concave up

Domain: (-∞,∞) Range: [0,∞)

Increasing: (0, ∞) Decreasing: (-∞, 0)

Positive: (-∞, 0) U (0, ∞) Negative: never

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Transformation Form

or
a<0: _________________________ b<0: ____________________________

0<|a|<1: ______________________ 0<|b|<1:_________________________

|a|>1: ___________________________ |b|>1:_______________________

+d/k:_____________________ (+c/h):_______________________

-d/k:_____________________ (-c/h):______________________

Describe the transformations of 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|, make a table with at least three ordered pairs,
graph the function, and identify the domain, range, vertex and axis of symmetry (AOS).

1. 𝑦 = |𝑥 − 2| or ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥 − 2) 2. 𝑦 = |𝑥 + 4| or ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥 + 4)

Transformations: Transformations:

Domain: Range: Domain: Range:

Vertex: AOS: Vertex: AOS:

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3. 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 or 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓 𝑥 −2 4. 𝑦 = |4𝑥 + 12| or 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(4𝑥 + 12)

Transformations: Transformations:

Domain: Range: Domain: Range:

Vertex: AOS: Vertex: AOS:

5. 𝑦 = −|𝑥 − 5| 𝑜𝑟 ℎ(𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥 − 5) 6. 𝑦 = |−𝑥 − 7| − 4 𝑜𝑟 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(−𝑥 − 7) − 4

Transformations: Transformations:

Domain: Range: Domain: Range:

Vertex: AOS: Vertex: AOS:

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7. What is the equation of the absolute value function translated five units right and
twelve units up, horizontally reflected, and vertically stretched by 3?

8. What is the equation of the absolute value equation, reflected across the x-axis,
horizontally stretched by a factor of 2, translated four units right and seven units up?

9. Create an absolute value function that has a range of (−∞, 4]

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3.2 Solving Absolute Value Equations

What is absolute value?

Explore:

|𝑥| = 5

What values make this true? Show the solutions on the number line.

|𝑥| = −5

What values make this true? Show the solutions on the number line.

Draw a graph that contains an absolute value and a line on the same grid.

two points of intersection one point of intersection no intersection

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Solving Absolute Value Equations: Since the value of x inside the absolute value
bars could be a negative (LEFT of zero on number line or graph) or positive number
(RIGHT of zero on number line or graph), account for both possible solutions.

To do so, set the expression inside the absolute value bars equal to be a positive and
negative number to solve for both solutions. You will have two different equations
to solve.

1. Solve |𝑥 + 5| = 7

Extraneous Solutions You must check your solutions to see if they may be extraneous
(solutions that do not work when plugged back into equation.) Check your answers
from Example 1 to see if you have any extraneous solutions.

Solve the following absolute value equations. Check for extraneous solutions.

2. |2𝑥 − 5| = 13 3. |7𝑥 − 10| = 4

4. |20 − 9𝑥| = −7

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You must isolate the absolute value before you write your negative (left) and
positive (right) equations.

5. 5|𝑥 + 4| − 2 = 43

6. 2 𝑥 + 4 = 44

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7. 9 − 2|2𝑥 − 1| = 16

( )
8. 8=

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9. |5𝑥 + 7| = 3𝑥 − 4

10. 3|𝑥 + 6| + 6 = 9𝑥

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11. |3𝑥 − 4| = 𝑥 + 14

12. |5 − 3𝑥| = 𝑥 − 7

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13. 2𝑥 − 1 = |4𝑥 − 11|

14. |5𝑥 + 2| = |4 − 3𝑥|

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15. |𝑥 − 8| = 5 − 𝑥

16. |2𝑥 + 5| = |4𝑥 − 2|

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17. 4|1 − 𝑥| + 7 = 16 + |1 − 𝑥|

18. −3|3𝑥 − 1| − 4 = 2|3𝑥 − 1| − 44

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19. −6 + 𝑥 − 1 = −1 − 2 −6 + 𝑥

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3.3 Solving Absolute Value Inequalities

Explore:

|𝑥| ≥ 5

What values make this true? Show the solutions on the number line.

|𝑥| < 5

What values make this true? Show the solutions on the number line.

Solve each absolute value inequality and Graph the solution on the number line.

1. |2𝑥 − 5| > 17

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2. 2|𝑥 − 1| − 8 ≤ 10

3. 3|𝑥 + 2| + 5 ≥ 23

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4. −3 𝑥 − 5 + 7 < −8

5. 3 − 4|𝑥 − 1| ≤ 13

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6. |5 − 3𝑥| > 9 − 2𝑥

7. 7𝑥 + 3 > |2𝑥 − 12|

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 2(𝑎−2)
8. 7
≥ 6 − 3𝑎

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