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Modulus equations and inequalities

Starte
1 Solve the inequality | 6x − 13 | ≥ 5

2 (a On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs of y = | 2x − 1 | and y = | x |

(b Hence, determine the solutions to the equation | 2x − 1 | = | x |
Hint: For (a) label the two parts of each graph (i.e. the unre ected and re ected parts)

Note
Solving modulus equations involving functions of x on both side
There are two methods for solving modulus equations of the form | f (x) | = | g(x) |
The rst method was seen in question 2 of the starter. By sketching the graphs, it can be seen
which parts of the graph (unre ected or re ected) intersect with the other. It is then a matter of
solving, often linear, equations

What happens if you draw the graphs wrong? What happens if you choose the wrong parts of the
graph to equate? Let’s consider question 2 of the starter and purposely solve the wrong equations

From the graph

y = − x does not intersect y = − (2x − 1) −x = − (2x − 1) ⇒ x =1
1
y = − x does not intersect y = 2x − 1 −x = 2x − 1 ⇒ x=
3
But these are the correct answers. The reason is that if the lines are extended below the x− axis
they do intersect at the correct points

Therefore, and whisper it quietly, to solve | f (x) | = | g(x) | we don’t need to draw the graphs —
we just need to solve f (x) = g(x) and f (x) = − g(x)

However, if the equation is | f (x) | = | g(x) | + k, draw the graphs of y = | f (x) | and
y = | g(x) | + k, the latter using transformations of graphs

Method 2 — squaring both side

A less elegant, algebraic, method seeks to deal with the possibility of the modulus bracket being
negative by squaring both sides

E.g. Solve the equation | 2x − 1 | = | x + 2 |

Working: (2x − 1)2 = (x + 2)2 ⇒ 4x 2 − 4x + 1 = x 2 + 4x + 4

3x 2 − 8x − 3 = 0 ⇒ (3x + 1)(x − 3) = 0
1
x = 3 or x = −
3
This method looks good for equations of the form | f (x) | = | g(x) | when f (x) and g(x) are both
linear. However, it fairs less well when either of the functions are quadratics with three terms or the
equation is of the form | f (x) | = | g(x) | + k. Therefore, the recommendation is to use the
sketching graphs method

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E.g. 1 Solve these equations
(a | 3x + 4 | = 2 − x (b | 2x − 3 | = | 5 − x |
(c 2 | 1 − 3x | = | x − 1 | + 2 (d | 2x − 6 | = | x 2 − 5x + 4 |
Working: (a | 3x + 4 | = 2 − x
1
3x + 4 = 2 − x ⇒ x =−
2
−(3x + 4) = 2 − x ⇒ x =−3

Solving modulus inequalities involving functions of x on both sides

E.g. 2 Using the graph which shows the lines of y = | x − 2 | and
y = | 2x − 3 | , solve the inequality | x − 2 | ≥ | 2x − 3 |
Give your answer in set notation

Working: y = | x − 2 | is the blue line

y = | 2x − 3 | is the red line
The points of intersection are
2x − 3 = x − 2 ⇒ x =1
5
2x − 3 = − (x − 2) ⇒ x=
3
| x − 2 | ≥ | 2x − 3 | is when the blue line is above the red lin

{ } { 3}
5
i.e. x : x ≥ 1 ∩ x : x ≤

Success criteria — solving modulus inequalitie

1. Sketch the graphs
2. Find the points of intersections
3. Ascertain where one graph is above the other and write the inequality accordingly

E.g. 3 Solve these inequalities, giving your answers in set notation

(a | x + 2 | < | 3x + 1 | (b | 2x − 5 | > | 4x − 3 |
Working: (a The points of intersection are
1
x + 2 = 3x + 1 ⇒ x=
2
3
x + 2 = − (3x + 1) ⇒ x =−
4
| x + 2 | < | 3x + 1 | is when the blue
line is below the red lin

{ 4} { 2}
3 1
x:x<− ∪ x:x>

Video Modulus equations

Video Modulus inequalities
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Modulus equations EQ
Modulus inequalities EQ

Solutions to Starter and E.g.s

Exercis
p58 3C Qu 1i, 2i, 3-6, (7-8 red

Summar
Solving modulus equations
| f (x) | = | g(x) | ⇒ f (x) = g(x) and f (x) = − g(x).
| f (x) | = | g(x) | + k ⇒ draw the graph

Solving modulus inequalities

1. Sketch the graphs
2. Find the points of intersections
3. Ascertain where one graph is above the other and write the inequality accordingly

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