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−200 x 600 200 −200 + 600 x 600 + 600 200 + 600 400 x 800

This means our returns would be between $400 and $800.

To solve absolute value inequalities, just as with absolute value equations, we write two inequalities and then solve them independently.

Absolute value inequalities

For an algebraic expression X, and k > 0 , an absolute value inequality is an inequality of the form

| X | < k  is equivalent to  k < X < k | X | > k  is equivalent to  X < k  or  X > k

These statements also apply to | X | k and | X | k .

Determining a number within a prescribed distance

Describe all values x within a distance of 4 from the number 5.

We want the distance between x and 5 to be less than or equal to 4. We can draw a number line, such as in [link] , to represent the condition to be satisfied.

A number line with one tick mark in the center labeled: 5.  The tick marks on either side of the center one are not marked.  Arrows extend from the center tick mark to the outer tick marks, both are labeled 4.

The distance from x to 5 can be represented using an absolute value symbol, | x 5 | . Write the values of x that satisfy the condition as an absolute value inequality.

| x 5 | 4

We need to write two inequalities as there are always two solutions to an absolute value equation.

x 5 4 and x 5 4 x 9 x 1

If the solution set is x 9 and x 1 , then the solution set is an interval including all real numbers between and including 1 and 9.

So | x 5 | 4 is equivalent to [ 1 , 9 ] in interval notation.

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Describe all x- values within a distance of 3 from the number 2.

| x −2 | 3

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Solving an absolute value inequality

Solve | x 1 | 3 .

| x 1 | 3 −3 x 1 3 −2 x 4 [ −2 , 4 ]
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Using a graphical approach to solve absolute value inequalities

Given the equation y = 1 2 | 4 x 5 | + 3 , determine the x -values for which the y -values are negative.

We are trying to determine where y < 0 , which is when 1 2 | 4 x 5 | + 3 < 0. We begin by isolating the absolute value.

1 2 | 4 x 5 | < 3 Multiply both sides by –2, and reverse the inequality . | 4 x 5 | > 6

Next, we solve for the equality | 4 x 5 | = 6.

4 x 5 = 6 4 x 5 = 6 4 x = 11 or 4 x = 1 x = 11 4 x = 1 4

Now, we can examine the graph to observe where the y- values are negative. We observe where the branches are below the x- axis. Notice that it is not important exactly what the graph looks like, as long as we know that it crosses the horizontal axis at x = 1 4 and x = 11 4 , and that the graph opens downward. See [link] .

A coordinate plan with the x-axis ranging from -5 to 5 and the y-axis ranging from -4 to 4.  The function y = -1/2|4x – 5| + 3 is graphed.  An open circle appears at the point -0.25 and an arrow
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Solve 2 | k 4 | 6.

k 1 or k 7 ; in interval notation, this would be ( , 1 ] [ 7 , ) .

A coordinate plane with the x-axis ranging from -1 to 9 and the y-axis ranging from -3 to 8.  The function y = -2|k  4| + 6 is graphed and everything above the function is shaded in.
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Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with linear inequalities and absolute value inequalities.

Key concepts

  • Interval notation is a method to indicate the solution set to an inequality. Highly applicable in calculus, it is a system of parentheses and brackets that indicate what numbers are included in a set and whether the endpoints are included as well. See [link] and [link] .
  • Solving inequalities is similar to solving equations. The same algebraic rules apply, except for one: multiplying or dividing by a negative number reverses the inequality. See [link] , [link] , [link] , and [link] .
  • Compound inequalities often have three parts and can be rewritten as two independent inequalities. Solutions are given by boundary values, which are indicated as a beginning boundary or an ending boundary in the solutions to the two inequalities. See [link] and [link] .
  • Absolute value inequalities will produce two solution sets due to the nature of absolute value. We solve by writing two equations: one equal to a positive value and one equal to a negative value. See [link] and [link] .
  • Absolute value inequalities can also be solved by graphing. At least we can check the algebraic solutions by graphing, as we cannot depend on a visual for a precise solution. See [link] .

Questions & Answers

Three charges q_{1}=+3\mu C, q_{2}=+6\mu C and q_{3}=+8\mu C are located at (2,0)m (0,0)m and (0,3) coordinates respectively. Find the magnitude and direction acted upon q_{2} by the two other charges.Draw the correct graphical illustration of the problem above showing the direction of all forces.
Kate Reply
To solve this problem, we need to first find the net force acting on charge q_{2}. The magnitude of the force exerted by q_{1} on q_{2} is given by F=\frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} where k is the Coulomb constant, q_{1} and q_{2} are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
Muhammed
What is the direction and net electric force on q_{1}= 5µC located at (0,4)r due to charges q_{2}=7mu located at (0,0)m and q_{3}=3\mu C located at (4,0)m?
Kate Reply
what is the change in momentum of a body?
Eunice Reply
what is a capacitor?
Raymond Reply
Capacitor is a separation of opposite charges using an insulator of very small dimension between them. Capacitor is used for allowing an AC (alternating current) to pass while a DC (direct current) is blocked.
Gautam
A motor travelling at 72km/m on sighting a stop sign applying the breaks such that under constant deaccelerate in the meters of 50 metres what is the magnitude of the accelerate
Maria Reply
please solve
Sharon
8m/s²
Aishat
What is Thermodynamics
Muordit
velocity can be 72 km/h in question. 72 km/h=20 m/s, v^2=2.a.x , 20^2=2.a.50, a=4 m/s^2.
Mehmet
A boat travels due east at a speed of 40meter per seconds across a river flowing due south at 30meter per seconds. what is the resultant speed of the boat
Saheed Reply
50 m/s due south east
Someone
which has a higher temperature, 1cup of boiling water or 1teapot of boiling water which can transfer more heat 1cup of boiling water or 1 teapot of boiling water explain your . answer
Ramon Reply
I believe temperature being an intensive property does not change for any amount of boiling water whereas heat being an extensive property changes with amount/size of the system.
Someone
Scratch that
Someone
temperature for any amount of water to boil at ntp is 100⁰C (it is a state function and and intensive property) and it depends both will give same amount of heat because the surface available for heat transfer is greater in case of the kettle as well as the heat stored in it but if you talk.....
Someone
about the amount of heat stored in the system then in that case since the mass of water in the kettle is greater so more energy is required to raise the temperature b/c more molecules of water are present in the kettle
Someone
definitely of physics
Haryormhidey Reply
how many start and codon
Esrael Reply
what is field
Felix Reply
physics, biology and chemistry this is my Field
ALIYU
field is a region of space under the influence of some physical properties
Collete
what is ogarnic chemistry
WISDOM Reply
determine the slope giving that 3y+ 2x-14=0
WISDOM
Another formula for Acceleration
Belty Reply
a=v/t. a=f/m a
IHUMA
innocent
Adah
pratica A on solution of hydro chloric acid,B is a solution containing 0.5000 mole ofsodium chlorid per dm³,put A in the burret and titrate 20.00 or 25.00cm³ portion of B using melting orange as the indicator. record the deside of your burret tabulate the burret reading and calculate the average volume of acid used?
Nassze Reply
how do lnternal energy measures
Esrael
Two bodies attract each other electrically. Do they both have to be charged? Answer the same question if the bodies repel one another.
JALLAH Reply
No. According to Isac Newtons law. this two bodies maybe you and the wall beside you. Attracting depends on the mass och each body and distance between them.
Dlovan
Are you really asking if two bodies have to be charged to be influenced by Coulombs Law?
Robert
like charges repel while unlike charges atttact
Raymond
What is specific heat capacity
Destiny Reply
Specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
AI-Robot
specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or kelvin
ROKEEB
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Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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