EQUATIONS AND

INEQUALITIES OF
MODULUS
What are we discuss?
1. The graphs of modulus function.
2. The form 𝑎 = 𝑎
3. The form 𝑎 = 𝑏
4. The form 𝑥 − 𝑎 = 𝑏
5. The form 𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝑏 or 𝑥 − 𝑎 > 𝑏

2
Modulus Function
A modulus function is a function that
changes the negative values to positive

𝑦= 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥+2
𝑦 = 𝑥+2 +2
“
◂ To construct the graph of a
modulus function you:
• Sketch the graph of the original
function where the graph meets
the x axis reflect it in the x axis
Modulus of quadratic

7
8
 Modulus Equation

◂ The absolute value of modulus of a real number

a is denoted by |a| and can be defined as:

◂ As can be seen, |a| is the value of a without

regarding its sign and it is always positive or
zero.
From an analytic
geometry point of view,
the absolute value of a real
number is that number's
distance from zero along
the real number line.
Properties of absolute values
For real values of a and b (b ≠0):
◂ |a| ≥ 0
◂ |-a| = |a|
◂ |ab| = |a||b|
◂ |a/b|= |a|/|b|
◂ |an| = |a|n
◂ |a±b| ≠ |a| ± |b|
 Example 1

Given that 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 , find the value

of 𝑓 1 .

Solution 1

𝑓 1 = 12 − 6(1) = −5 = 5
 Example 2
𝒙
Solve = 𝒙 − 𝟐
𝟐
 Solution 2

For the second For the first

intersection: intersection:

𝑥 𝑥
=𝑥−2 = −(𝑥 − 2)
2 2
𝑥 =2 𝑥−2 𝑥 = −2 𝑥 − 2
𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 4 𝑥 = −2𝑥 + 4
−𝑥 = −4 3𝑥 = 4
𝑥=4 4
𝑥=
3
 Example 3
Solve 𝑥 + 2 = 2𝑥 + 2
 Solution 2

For the second For the first

intersection: intersection:

𝑥 + 2 = 2𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 2 = −(2𝑥 + 2)
−𝑥 = 0 𝑥 + 2 = −2𝑥 − 2
𝑥=0 3𝑥 = −4
4
𝑥=−
3
Alternatively, we can
square both sides and
we get our answers
nevertheless.
|a| = |b| a2 = b 2
Solution 2

(𝑥 + 2)2 = (2𝑥 + 2)2

𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 2 = (2𝑥 + 2)(2𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 4𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 4
0 = 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥
0 = 𝑥 3𝑥 + 4
𝑥 = 0 or 3𝑥 + 4 = 0
4
𝑥= −
3
 Modulus Inequalities

◂ As general rules:

𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝑏 is the same as −𝑏 < 𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝑏

𝑥 − 𝑎 > 𝑏 is the same as 𝑥 − 𝑎 > 𝑏 or 𝑥 − 𝑎 < −𝑏

𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝑥 − 𝑏 is the same as (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 < (𝑥 − 𝑏)2

e.g. 1 Solve the inequality x  2
Solution: Sketch the graphs of y  x and y  2
y
y x
We want the values of
y2 x where the red
A B
x x graph, y  x is
 x
above the blue one, y  2
2
2
The right hand branch of y  x has equation y = x.
So, B is where y = x meets y = 2. So, at B, x = 2.
The graph is symmetrical about the y-axis, so A is
x =  2.
So, x 2  x  2 or x  2
2 regions on the graph always means 2 inequalities.
 Example 1

solve 𝑥 + 2 < 7

Solution 1

−7 < 𝑥 + 2 < 7
−7 − 2 < 𝑥 < 7 − 2
−9 < 𝑥 < 5
 Example 2

solve 𝑥 − 2 >9

Solution 2

𝑥 − 2 > 9 or 𝑥 − 2 < −9
𝑥 > 11 or 𝑥 < −7
 Example 3

solve 2𝑥 − 1 > 𝑥 − 3

Solution 3

(2𝑥 − 1)2 > (𝑥 − 3)2

4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 > 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9
3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 > 0
3𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 2 > 0
4
𝑥 < − or 𝑥 > 2
3
 Example 4

Solve the inequality 𝑥 − 1 2

−2 𝑥−1 <3
Resources

◂ Pure math 1
◂ 1700 Bank Soal Matematika
Untuk SMA
◂ tes.com
◂ mathisfun.com
27