Introduction Methods Examples

MODULUS EQUATIONS AND

INEQUALITIES
ALGEBRA 5
INU0114/514 (M ATHS 1)

Dr Adrian Jannetta MIMA CMath FRAS

Modulus equations and inequalities 1 / 10 Adrian Jannetta

Introduction Methods Examples

Objectives
In this presentation we’ll see a few different ways of solving equations
and inequalities involving the modulus function.
You should already know:

• The piecewise definition of the modulus function f (x) = |x|.

• How to sketch straight line graphs y = mx + c.
 
• How to sketch graphs of y = f (x). In this context, f (x) will be a
linear function.
• Know how to factorise or solve quadratics.

The method we’ll use to solve equations and inequalities will be either:

• Using algebra, or
• Using a graph.

Modulus equations and inequalities 2 / 10 Adrian Jannetta

Introduction Methods Examples

Equations and inequalities with a modulus

In this presentation we’ll see how solve equations such as

|4x − 10| = |3x|

and inequalities like

|x + 10| ≤ 9x
To do this we’ll need to recall the definition of the modulus function
given by ¨
x x≥0
f (x) = |x| =
−x x < 0
There several possible ways to solve equations and inequalities: using
algebra or using a graph. In the end, it is up to you to choose the best
way to solve problems.

Modulus equations and inequalities 3 / 10 Adrian Jannetta

Introduction Methods Examples

Method #1: Graphical

Consider the inequality |x| ≥ 2.

On a graph we plot the functions y = |x| and y = 2
y

y = |x|
y=2
bc bc

x
−2 2

The solutions are x ≤ −2 and x ≥ 2.

Modulus equations and inequalities 4 / 10 Adrian Jannetta

Introduction Methods Examples

Method #2: Squaring both sides

The previous discussion showed that the inequality |x| ≥ 2 had solutions x ≤ −2
and x ≥ 2.
The same solutions also satisfy
x2 ≥ 4
2
We plot the graphs y = x and y = 4:
y

y = x2
y=4 bc bc

x
−2 2
Inspect the graph to where the curve y = x2 has larger values than y = 4.
The solutions are x ≤ −2 and x ≥ 2 (as expected!).
Although this method is simple to apply — we always need to check for
extraneous (false) solutions. Always verify the solutions with the original
equation or inequality.
Modulus equations and inequalities 5 / 10 Adrian Jannetta
Introduction Methods Examples

Method #3: Using the modulus definition

Recall that ¨
x x≥0
|x| =
−x x<0
For example: to solve
|2x + 1| = 5
We instead solve the following two equations:

2x + 1 = 5 and − (2x + 1) = 5

The first equation gives x = 2. Solving the second equation gives x = −3.

Modulus equations and inequalities 6 / 10 Adrian Jannetta

Introduction Methods Examples

Equations with modulus functions

Solve the equation
|x + 2| = |x − 1|

(Note: we can’t answer this by just removing the modulus!)

Solve, for example, by squaring both sides:

(x + 2)2 = (x − 1)2

Expand the brackets and solve:

x2 + 4x + 4 = x2 − 2x + 1
4x + 4 = −2x + 1
6x = −3
x = − 21

The only solution is x = − 21 (it’s easy to verify this in the original

equation).

Modulus equations and inequalities 7 / 10 Adrian Jannetta

Introduction Methods Examples

Equation with a modulus (graphical method)

Solve the equation
|x + 2| = |x − 1|

Plot each side of the equation on the same axes:

y

x
−2 1

The intersection is found by solving

x+2 = −(x − 1)
x+2 = −x + 1
2x = −1

Therefore x = − 12 .
Modulus equations and inequalities 8 / 10 Adrian Jannetta
Introduction Methods Examples

Equation with a modulus function

Solve the inequality
|2x + 3| < 5

This equation actually represents two equations which can be solved

separately.

2x + 3 < 5 and − (2x + 3) < 5

Solve the first to get x < 1.
The second is solved like this:

−2x − 3 < 5
−2x < 8
2x > −8
x > −4

The two solutions are x > −4 and x < 1.

Combine these into a single inequality: −4 < x < 1.
Modulus equations and inequalities 9 / 10 Adrian Jannetta
Introduction Methods Examples

Number of solutions
Consider the equation  2 
x − 9 = 5
How many solutions should we expect to find? (Don’t find x values first!)

A graph
 gives
 the solution pretty quickly; the solutions are the intersections between
y = x2 − 9 and the line y = 5.
  y
y = x2 − 9

y=5

x
−3 3

The graph shows we should expect four solutions to this question.

p p
(If you solve it: x = − 14, −2, 2 and 14).

Modulus equations and inequalities 10 / 10 Adrian Jannetta