Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 1 of 15

Author: Mark Kudlowski

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Mathematics Revision Guides

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THE MODULUS FUNCTION

|x|

Version : 2.5 Date: 28-03-2013

Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 2 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

THE MODULUS FUNCTION

The modulus function, | x |.

The modulus of x, |x| is defined as follows:

|x| = x for x  0, e.g. |5| = 5. (i.e. |x| = x for positive x)

|x| = -x for x < 0, e.g. |-2| = 2. (i.e. |x| = -x for negative x)

It can also be described as the

magnitude of a number,
disregarding the sign, and it never
takes a negative value.

The expression |x-a| can be

interpreted as the distance between
two numbers x and a on the number
line.

The statement |x-a| < b is another way of saying that the distance between x and a is less than b.

x must lie between the vertical lines, in other words a - b < x < a + b.

The graph of y = |x| is therefore identical to

the graph of y = x when x is positive. (The
illustrated graph of y = x is offset slightly to
show the relationship.)

When x is negative, the graph of

y = |x| is a reflection of the graph of y = x in
the x-axis.
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 3 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Modulus of a function, | f (x) |.

Example (1): Sketch the graph of y = (x-1)2 – 16, and from it sketch the graph of y = | (x-1)2 – 16 | .

The function
y = (x-1)2 – 16 is a quadratic with roots of –
3 and 5, and a minimum point of (1, -16). It
is therefore below the x–axis for –3 < x < 5.

When we take the modulus of this function,

all positive values of y remain unchanged,
but negative values are multiplied by –1.

The two graphs show this clearly.

Where the original function

(x-1)2 – 16 takes a positive value, the graphs
of the two functions coincide.

However, where the original function ,

(x-1)2 – 16 , takes a negative value, then the
corresponding part of the graph of
| (x-1)2 – 16 | is a reflection of the original in
the x-axis.

The graph is accurate here, but examination questions would generally only require a sketch with the
key points clearly shown. In this case they would be (-3, 0), (5, 0), (1, 16) and (1, -16).
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 4 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Example (2): Sketch the graph of y = sin x° for –2  x  2, and from it sketch the graphs of
y = | sin x | and y = sin (|x|). What can you say about the two resulting graphs ?

The graph of y = | sin x | coincides with that of y = sin x whenever sin x is positive, but is a reflection
of y = sin x in the x-axis whenever sin x is negative.

The graph of y = sin |x | coincides with that of y = sin x whenever x is positive, but is a reflection of
y = sin x in the y-axis whenever x is negative.

It can be seen that the the graphs of y = | sin x | and y = sin (|x|) are different.

This holds true for most functions, i.e | f (x) | f ( | x | ).

.
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 5 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Example (3):

i) Sketch the graph y = | ln x |.

ii) State the domain and range of f (x) = ln | x |.

i) Recall the characteristics of

the graph of y = ln x.

The x – intercept is at (1, 0),

there is an asymptote at x = 0
and the function is undefined for
x 0.

The graph of y = | ln x |
coincides with that of y = ln x
for x 1, but is a reflection of
y = ln x in the y-axis for
0 < x < 1.

ii) The domain of f (x) = ln | x |

consists of all the non-zero real
numbers, and its range consists
of the entire set of real numbers.

The function ln (|x|) and related functions such as log10(|x|) have important applications in calculus, and
can also be used as a ‘workaround’ to solve certain equations involving logarithms.

Example (4): Solve log( a + 10 ) = 2 log( |a – 10| ).

This is almost the same as an example from an earlier section, but we are dealing with logarithms of
the modulus of the number a - 10.

The base of the logarithm is immaterial here !

log( a + 10 ) = 2 log( |a – 10| )  log( a + 10 ) = log(( a – 10)2) using log laws. Note that there is no
need to put a modulus around the squared term, since the square of any real number is positive.

Hence a + 10 = (a – 10)2 (taking antilogs)

This rearranges into a standard quadratic:

a2 – 20a + 100 – (a + 10) = 0

 a2 – 21a + 90 = 0
 (a – 15) (a – 6) = 0
a = 15 or 6.

The equation has solutions of a = 15 and a = 6.

Substituting a = 15 into the original would give log 25 = 2 log 5.

With a = 6, we have log 16 = 2 log ( |-4| ) or log 16 = 2 log 4 , which is also allowable.

(Had the question been about solving log( a + 10 ) = 2 log( a – 10 ), without the modulus sign, a = 6
would not have been a solution, as the expression would have become log 16 = 2 log ( -4 ), and there is
no logarithm of a negative number.)
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 6 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

The graphs of | x | and related functions can be transformed in the same way as those of other
functions.

Example (5): Sketch (on separate diagrams), the graphs of y = | x | - 3 , y = | x - 3 | and y = | 2x |.

Here, the graph of y = | x | - 3 is that of y = | x | translated by the vector  0  .

 
  3
The graph of y = | x - 3 | is that of y = | x | translated by the vector  3  .
0
 
The two graphs are therefore quite different.

The graph of y = | 2x | is that of y = | x | , but stretched by

a factor of ½ in the x-direction.

Note that the graph of y = | 2x | is the same as that of y =

2| x |, but this assumption is generally false for most
functions.
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 7 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Solving equations involving the modulus function.

Example (6): Find the solutions of the equation |(2x – 1)| = 5.

Looking at the graphs, we can see that |(2x – 1)| coincides with 2x - 1 whenever 2x – 1  0, or x ½ .

When 2x – 1  0, i.e. when x < ½,

the graph of |(2x – 1)| coincides with that of 2x – 1
reflected in the x-axis.

Reflection in the x-axis is equivalent to

multiplying the original function by a factor of –1,
and so that part of the graph of |(2x – 1)| coincides
with that of –(2x – 1), or 1 – 2x.

There are thus two solutions of

|(2x – 1)| = 5.

The first is the ’obvious’ one satisfying 2x – 1 = 5,

or x = 3.

The second is the one satisfying

1 – 2x = 5, or x = -2.

Looking at the graphs, though, suggests another

way of finding the second solution.
The point (-2, 5) on the graph of |(2x – 1)|
corresponds to the point (-2, -5) on the graph of 2x – 1.

Instead of multiplying the LHS by –1 to give 1 – 2x = 5 , we could multiply the RHS by –1 to give
2x – 1 = -5, again leading to x = -2.

From this example, we can deduce that the solution(s) of the equation | f (x) | = k
can be found by solving two separate equations:

 The ‘obvious’ one(s) of f (x) = k

 The ‘alternative’ one(s) of - f (x) = k , which can in turn be rewritten as f (x) = -k.

Example (7): Find the solutions of the equation |(4x + 3)| = 11.

The first solution is the “ f (x) = k” form, namely 4x + 3 = 11  4x = 8  x = 2.

The second solution can be found either by solving

4x + 3 = -11  4x = -14  x = 3½ , multiplying RHS by – 1 ( “ f (x) = -k” form),

or

–(4x + 3) = 11  -4x – 3 = 11  -4x = 14  x = -3½, multiplying LHS by –1 ( “- f (x) = k” form).

The first method is easier to use.

Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 8 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Example (8): Find the solutions of the equation |(x2 – 2x - 7)| = 8.

This is a quadratic, but the same method can be used as for linear examples.

The first solution set can be found by solving x2 – 2x - 7 = 8 or x2 – 2x - 15 = 0, which in turn

factorises to (x + 3) (x – 5) = 0, giving solutions of x = 5, x = -3.

The second solution set can be found by solving either or x2 – 2x - 7 = -8 or -(x2 – 2x – 7) = 8.

Both methods give the same result.

x2 – 2x – 7 = -8
x2 – 2x – 7 = -8  x2 - 2x + 1 = 0
 (x - 1)2 = 0 (factorising), giving a solution of x = 1.

-(x2 – 2x – 7) = 8
-(x2 – 2x – 7) = 8  - x2 + 2x + 7 = 8  - x2 + 2x - 1 = 0
 x2 - 2x + 1 = 0 (multiplying both sides by –1 to make x2 term positive)
 (x - 1)2 = 0 (factorising), giving a solution of x = 1.

The first method is better, as the algebra works out much simpler.

 The solutions of |(x2 – 2x - 7)| = 8 are x = 1, x = 5 and x = -3.

The solutions to the equation can be illustrated graphically.

The first method (left) shows the graph of the function x2 – 2x – 7.

Its modulus is equal to 8 when its value is either 8 or –8.
The parabola meets the line y = 8 when x = –3 or x = 5, and meets the line y = -8 when x = 1.

The second method (right) shows the graph of the function |(x2 – 2x - 7)|.
It is coincident with the graph of x2 – 2x – 7 when x2 – 2x – 7 0.
However, when x2 – 2x – 7 <0, the graph of |(x2 – 2x - 7)| coincides with the graph of -(x2 – 2x – 7).
(The negative part of the original graph of x2 – 2x – 7 has been included for reference).

The graph of |(x2 – 2x - 7)| meets the line y = 8 when x = –3 , 1 or 5.

Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 9 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Example (9): Find the solutions of the equation |(x2 – 5x - 1)| = 5.

The first solution set can be found by solving x2 – 5x - 1 = 5  x2 – 5x - 6 = 0, which in turn

factorises to (x + 1)(x – 6) = 0, giving solutions of x = 6, x = -1.

The second solution set can be found by solving x2 – 5x - 1 = -5 (easier option).

x2 – 5x – 1 = -5
x2 – 5x – 1 = -5  x2 - 5x + 4 = 0
(x - 4)(x -1) = 0 (factorising), giving solutions of x = 4, x = 1.

 The solutions of |(x2 – 5x - 1)| = 5 are x = -1, x = 1, x = 4 and x = 6.

Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 10 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Example (10): Find the solutions of the equation |(x + 1)| = |2x|.

This example is different, because we have a modulus function of x on both sides of the equation.

Nevertheless, we can still solve the equation in a similar way to those of the form | f (x) | = k.

The solution(s) of the equation | f (x) | = | g(x) | can be found by solving two separate equations:

 The ‘obvious’ one(s) of f (x) = g (x)

 The ‘alternative’ one(s) of - f (x) = g (x) , which can in turn be rewritten as f (x) = - g (x) .

The first solution is that of

x + 1 = 2x x = 1.

The second solution can be found

either by solving

–(x + 1) = 2x ;
 -x – 1 = 2x
 -1 = 3x  x =  13

or

x + 1 = -2x ;
x + 1 = -2x
 3x + 1 = 0 x =  13 .

(The second form is easier).

Another method would be to square both sides of the equation and solve as follows;

|(x + 1)| = |2x|  (x + 1)2 = (2x)2 .

(Note that a squared quantity is always positive, so the modulus sign can be removed).
(x + 1)2 = (2x)2 x2 + 2x+ 1 = 4x2 .
0 = 3x2 - 2x- 1.

Factorising the quadratic gives 3x2 - 2x- 1= 0 (3x + 1)(x – 1) = 0.

The roots, and thus the solutions of |(x + 1)| = |2x|, are x = 1 and x =  13 .
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 11 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Care is required if we have a modulus function on one side of the equation, but a non-modulus function
on the other, as the next two examples will show.

Example (10a): Find the solutions of the equation (x + 1) = |2x|.

This is very similar to example (10), but this time we have a non-modulus function of x on one side of
the equation, and a modulus function on the other.

We will try the method of solving separate equations again:

 The ‘obvious’ one(s) of f (x) = g (x)

 The ‘alternative’ one(s) of - f (x) = g (x) , which can in turn be rewritten as f (x) = - g (x) .

Again, the first solution is that of

x + 1 = 2x x = 1.

The second solution can be found by solving

x + 1 = -2x ;
x + 1 = -2x
 3x + 1 = 0 x =  13 .

There seems to be no difference between the

solution to this example and that of Example 10.

Or we can square both sides;

|(x + 1)| = |2x|  (x + 1)2 = (2x)2 .

(Note that a squared quantity is always positive, so

the modulus sign can be removed).
(x + 1)2 = (2x)2 x2 + 2x+ 1 = 4x2
0 = 3x2 - 2x- 1.

Factorising the quadratic gives 3x2 - 2x- 1= 0 (3x + 1)(x – 1) = 0.

The roots, and thus the solutions of (x + 1) = |2x|, are x = 1 and x =  13 .

Check: x = 1; x + 1 = 2, and |2x| = |2| = 2.

Also: x =  13 ; x + 1 = 23 , and |2x| = |  23 | = 2
3 .
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 12 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

The next example is similar, but there is an important difference in the final result.

Example (10b): Find the solutions of the equation |(x + 1)| = 2x.

It might be thought that if we followed the same technique as we did in Example 10a, then the
solutions of |(x + 1)| = 2x would be x = 1 and x =  13 .

Checking the results gives:

x = 1; |(x + 1)| = 2, and 2x = 2.
x =  13 ; |(x + 1)| = 23 , and 2x =  23 .

The second ‘solution’ seems to be incorrect here – if we were to plot the graphs, they will only
intersect at the one point (1, 2), giving x = 1 as the only solution.

Because the modulus function by definition is positive, then a ‘solution’ found using the earlier
methods is only valid if substituting for x in the non-modulus function also gives a positive result.
Hence the non-solution of x =  13 ; |(x + 1)| = 23 , and 2x =  23 .

In Example 10a, the non-modulus function of (x + 1) returned a positive value for both values of x , so
the two graphs met at two points, giving two solutions.
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 13 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Inequalities involving the modulus function where one side is a number.

Inequalities involving the modulus function are solved in a similar way to the corresponding equations,
although care is needed with sign reversals.

Example (11): Find the solutions of the inequality |(4x + 3)| < 11.

The first solution set is the ‘obvious’ one of 4x + 3 < 11  4x < 8  x < 2.

The second solution set can be found either multiplying the LHS by – 1 or the RHS by -1.

Multiplying LHS by -1:

–(4x + 3) < 11  -4x – 3 < 11  -4x < 14  x > -3½. (We had to reverse the sign in the last step,
when we divided by -4).

Multiplying RHS by -1 plus an immediate inequality sign reversal:

4x + 3 > -11 4x > -14  x > -3½ .

The two solution sets can be combined to give -3½ < x < 2.

Whenever the second solution set is found by reversing the quantity on the opposite side of the
inequality sign, then the direction of the inequality sign must also be reversed.
Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 14 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Example (12): Find the solutions of the inequality |(x2 – 5x - 1)|  5. (This is a modification of
Example (9)).

The first solution set can be found by solving x2 – 5x - 1  5  x2 – 5x - 6 0, which in turn
factorises to (x + 1)(x – 6)  0, giving two solution sets of x 6, x  -1.

The second solution set can be found by solving x2 – 5x - 1  -5. Again, as we have reversed the sign
of the quantity on the RHS, the inequality sign also had to be reversed.
x2 – 5x – 1 -5
x2 – 5x – 1  -5  x2 - 5x + 4  0
(x - 4)(x -1)  0 (factorising), giving the solution set of 1  x  4.

 The solution sets of |(x2 – 5x - 1)|  5 are x  -1, 1  x  4 and x  6.

Mathematics Revision Guides – The Modulus Function Page 15 of 15
Author: Mark Kudlowski

Inequalities involving the modulus function where there are modulus expressions on both sides.

Example (13): Find the solutions of the inequality |(x + 1)| > |2x|. (Modification of Example (10)).

This time we have an algebraic expression on both sides of the inequality. We can therefore either:

i) solve the corresponding equation, sketch the graphs of the two functions and find where the graph of
|(x + 1)| lies above the graph of |2x|, or

ii) square both sides, solve the related quadratic equation, plot its graph, and from there solve the
inequality.

Method (i):

The solutions to the corresponding

equation | x + 1| = | 2x | are

x=  13 and x = 1.

The graph of | x + 1| is above the

graph of | 2x | for the solution set of

 13 < x < 1.

Method (ii) – squaring both sides

|(x + 1)| > |2x|  (x + 1)2 > (2x)2 .

(x + 1)2 > (2x)2 x2 + 2x+ 1 > 4x2 


0 > 3x2 - 2x- 1 3x2 - 2x- 1 < 0.

Factorising the corresponding quadratic

gives 3x2 - 2x- 1= 0 (3x + 1)(x – 1) = 0.
The roots, and thus the solutions of
|(x + 1)| = |2x|, are x = 1 and x =  13 .

The sketch right shows the solution set of

the inequality 3x2 - 2x- 1 < 0 ,

or  13 < x < 1.