JOGER WILLIS

Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities

Absolute Value Equations of the form Æ x = a , where a is a non-negative

real number.

The solution is found by writing Æ x = a or x = − a .

Easy Example Solve x = 8

Solution We write x = 8 or x = − 8 Å Answer

Harder Example Solve 2 x + 4 = 8

Solution We write

2 x + 4 = 8 or 2 x + 4 = − 8 and next we solve each equation for x.

−4 −4 − 4 − 4 and here we subtract 4 from both sides.
2x = 4 or 2 x = − 12 and next we divide both sides by 2.
So, x = 2 or x = − 6 ← Answer

Absolute Value Inequalities of the form Æ x < a , where a is a non-negative

real number.

The solution is found by writing Æ −a < x < a

Easy Example Solve x < 8

Solution We write −8 < x < 8 Å Answer

Harder Example Solve 2 x + 4 < 8

Solution We write

−8 < 2 x + 4 < 8 and now we "isolate" the x.

−4 − 4 − 4 subtract 4 from each part of the compound inequality.
−12 < 2 x < 4 and now divide by 2 in each part of the compound inequality.
− 6 < x < 2 ← Answer
Another Harder Example Solve 2 x + 4 + 6 < 8
Solution We write

2 x + 4 + 6 < 8 First we "isolate" the absolute value by subtracting 6 from

−6 − 6 both sides of the inequality.
2x + 4 < 2
−2 < 2 x + 4 < 2 and now we "isolate" the x.
−4 − 4 − 4 subtract 4 from each part of the compound inequality.
−6 < 2 x < − 2 and now divide by 2 in each part of the compound inequality.
− 3 < x < − 1 ← Answer

Absolute Value Inequalities of the form Æ x > a , where a is a non-negative

real number.

The solution is found by writing Æ x < − a or x > a

Easy Example Solve x > 8

Solution We write x < − 8 or x > 8 Å Answer

Harder Example Solve 2 x + 4 > 8

Solution We write

2 x+ 4 < − 8 or 2 x + 4 > 8 and now we "isolate" the x in each inequality.

−4 −4 − 4 − 4 subtract 4 from each side of each inequality.
2x < − 12 or 2x > 4 and now divide by 2 on each side of each inequality.
x < − 6 or x > 2 ← Answer

Another Harder Example Solve 6 − x − 4 ≥ 5

Solution We write

6 − x − 4 ≥ 5 First we "isolate" the absolute value by adding 4 to

+4 + 4 both sides of the inequality.
6−x ≥ 9
6 − x ≤ − 9 or 6 − x ≥ 9 and now we "isolate" the x in each inequality.
−6 −6 −6 − 6 subtract 6 from each side of each inequality.
− x ≤ − 15 or − x ≥ 3 and now divide by − 1 on each side of each inequality.
x ≥ 15 or x ≤ − 3 ← Answer