Inequalities with Absolute Values - Examples, Exercises and Solutions

Inequality

When you come across signs like < < or ,> > , and even or ,you will know it is an inequality.
Inequalities define ranges of possible values rather than single solutions, whether one value is less than, greater than, or equal to another, helping to describe situations where quantities can vary within certain limits. Therefore, The result of the inequality will be a certain range of values that you will have to find.

An important rule to keep in mind: when you double or divide both sides of the operation, the sign of the inequality is reversed!

Absolute Value Inequality

Absolute value inequality is an inequality that involves the absolute value of a variable or expression. The absolute value represents the distance of a number from zero on the number line, always as a non-negative quantity. In inequalities, this means solving for a range of values that satisfy the given condition, either greater than or less than a certain value, regardless of sign. Absolute value inequalities often split into two cases, one considering the positive side and the other the negative, providing two sets of possible solutions.

Number line visualizations of absolute value equations and inequalities, including |x| = 2, |x| ≥ 2, |x| ≤ 2, |x| > 2, and |x| < 2, with open and closed circles to represent boundary inclusion.

We can solve absolute value inequalities in 2 2 ways:

The geometric method
  • We will draw a number line, and mark the point from which we are interested in the distance to X X .
  • Then we find the points whose distance from the relevant point is exactly the distance mentioned in the condition.
  • Now, let's pay attention to the condition: > > or < < And we will find the results.
The algebraic method
  • Step 1: Divide into two cases:
    • Case 1: Assume the expression inside the absolute value is positive.
    • Case 2: Assume the expression inside the absolute value is negative.
  • Step 2: Return to the original inequality:
    • Case 1: Remove the absolute value and solve.
    • Case 2: Remove the negative sign, solve the inequality.
  • Step 3: Find the common domain for both cases.
  • Step 4: Use a number line to mark valid ranges.
  • Step 5: Determine all values of X X that satisfy the inequality.

Suggested Topics to Practice in Advance

  1. Absolute Value
  2. Numerical Value
  3. Absolute Value
  4. Absolute Value Inequalities

Practice Inequalities with Absolute Values

Examples with solutions for Inequalities with Absolute Values

Exercise #1

Find the absolute value inequality representation for:

x+35 |x + 3| \leq 5

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x+35 |x + 3| \leq 5 , we first consider the definition of absolute value inequality AB |A| \leq B , which is equivalent to BAB -B \leq A \leq B .

Applying this definition, we have:

5x+35 -5 \leq x + 3 \leq 5

Next, we isolate x by subtracting 3 from all parts of the inequality:

53x+3353 -5 - 3 \leq x + 3 - 3 \leq 5 - 3

This simplifies to:

8x2 -8 \leq x \leq 2

Answer

8x2 -8 \leq x \leq 2

Exercise #2

Given:

x35 |x-3| \leq 5

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x35 |x-3| \leq 5 , we need to consider the definition of absolute value inequalities. The inequality ab |a| \leq b translates to bab -b \leq a \leq b .

Applying this to our expression x35 |x-3| \leq 5 , we have:

5x35 -5 \leq x-3 \leq 5 .

We add 3 to all parts of the inequality to isolate x x :

5+3x3+35+3 -5 + 3 \leq x - 3 + 3 \leq 5 + 3

This simplifies to 2x8 -2 \leq x \leq 8 .

Answer

2x8 -2 \leq x \leq 8

Exercise #3

Given:

2x+1>7 |2x + 1| > 7

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality 2x+1>7 |2x + 1| > 7 , we split it into two separate inequalities:

2x+1>7 2x + 1 > 7 or 2x+1<7 2x + 1 < -7 .

For the first inequality 2x+1>7 2x + 1 > 7 , subtract 1 from both sides:

2x>6 2x > 6

Divide by 2:

x>3 x > 3

For the second inequality 2x+1<7 2x + 1 < -7 , subtract 1 from both sides:

2x<8 2x < -8

Divide by 2:

x<4 x < -4

Therefore, the solution is x>3 x > 3 or x<4 x < -4 .

Answer

x > 3 or x < -4

Exercise #4

Given:

\left|2x + 1\right| > 3

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve \left| 2x + 1 \right| > 3 , consider the two cases for the absolute value: 2x + 1 > 3 and 2x + 1 < -3 .

1. Solving 2x + 1 > 3 :

2x + 1 > 3

Subtract 1 from both sides:

2x > 2

Divide both sides by 2:

x > 1

2. Solving 2x + 1 < -3 :

2x + 1 < -3

Subtract 1 from both sides:

2x < -4

Divide both sides by 2:

x < -2

Thus, the solution is x < -2 \text{ or } x > 1 .

Answer

x < -2 \text{ or } x > 1

Exercise #5

Given:

3x24 |3x - 2| \geq 4

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality 3x24 |3x - 2| \geq 4 , we separate it into:

3x24 3x - 2 \geq 4 or 3x24 3x - 2 \leq -4 .

For 3x24 3x - 2 \geq 4 , add 2 to both sides:

3x6 3x \geq 6

Divide by 3:

x2 x \geq 2

For 3x24 3x - 2 \leq -4 , add 2 to both sides:

3x2 3x \leq -2

Divide by 3:

x23 x \leq -\frac{2}{3}

Therefore, the solution is x2 x \geq 2 or x23 x \leq -\frac{2}{3} .

Answer

x2 x \geq 2 or x23 x \leq -\frac{2}{3}

Exercise #6

Solve the inequality:

|2x - 5| > 7

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve |2x - 5| > 7 , we consider the definition of absolute value inequality |A| > B , which means A > B or A < -B .

Thus, 2x - 5 > 7 or 2x - 5 < -7 .

Let's solve these inequalities separately:

1. 2x - 5 > 7

Add 5 to both sides:

2x > 12

Divide by 2:

x > 6

2. 2x - 5 < -7

Add 5 to both sides:

2x < -2

Divide by 2:

x < -1

Therefore, the solution is x < -1 \text{ or } x > 6 .

Answer

x < -1 \text{ or } x > 6

Exercise #7

Given:

x+5<2 |x+5| < 2

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x+5<2 |x+5| < 2 , apply the property of absolute values which states that a<b |a| < b translates to b<a<b -b < a < b .

Therefore, 2<x+5<2 -2 < x+5 < 2 .

Subtract 5 from all parts of the inequality to isolate x x :

25<x+55<25 -2 - 5 < x+5 - 5 < 2 - 5

This simplifies to 7<x<3 -7 < x < -3 .

Answer

-7 < x < -3

Exercise #8

Given:

5x+37 \left|5x + 3\right| \leq 7

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve 5x+37 \left| 5x + 3 \right| \leq 7 , consider both cases:5x+37 5x + 3 \leq 7 and 5x+37 5x + 3 \geq -7 .

1. Solving 5x+37 5x + 3 \leq 7 :

5x+37 5x + 3 \leq 7

Subtract 3 from both sides:

5x4 5x \leq 4

Divide both sides by 5:

x0.8 x \leq 0.8

2. Solving 5x+37 5x + 3 \geq -7 :

5x+37 5x + 3 \geq -7

Subtract 3 from both sides:

5x10 5x \geq -10

Divide both sides by 5:

x2 x \geq -2

Combining both results, we find 2x0.8 -2 \leq x \leq 0.8 .

Answer

2x0.8 -2 \leq x \leq 0.8

Exercise #9

Given:

3x45 \left|3x - 4\right| \leq 5

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve 3x45 \left| 3x - 4 \right| \leq 5 , we should consider two scenarios for the absolute value: 3x45 3x - 4 \leq 5 and 3x45 3x - 4 \geq -5 .

1. Solving 3x45 3x - 4 \leq 5 :

3x45 3x - 4 \leq 5

Add 4 to both sides:

3x9 3x \leq 9

Divide both sides by 3:

x3 x \leq 3

2. Solving 3x45 3x - 4 \geq -5 :

3x45 3x - 4 \geq -5

Add 4 to both sides:

3x1 3x \geq -1

Divide both sides by 3:

x13 x \geq -\frac{1}{3}

Combining both results, we have 13x3 -\frac{1}{3} \leq x \leq 3 , which is the correct answer.

Answer

13x3 -\frac{1}{3} \leq x \leq 3

Exercise #10

Given:

\left|x+2\right|<3

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x+2<3|x + 2| < 3, we will apply the property of absolute values by rewriting it without the absolute value sign as follows:

Step 1: Transform the absolute value inequality
Using the rule A<B|A| < B implies B<A<B-B < A < B, we write

3<x+2<3-3 < x + 2 < 3.

Step 2: Solve this compound inequality. We do this by isolating xx as follows:

  • Subtract 2 from all parts: 32<x+22<32-3 - 2 < x + 2 - 2 < 3 - 2.
  • This simplifies to: 5<x<1-5 < x < 1.

Thus, the inequality x+2<3|x + 2| < 3 is solved as 5<x<1-5 < x < 1.

The correct solution is contained in choice 3: 5<x<1-5 < x < 1.

Answer

-5 < x < 1

Exercise #11

Given:

\left|x-4\right|<8

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x4<8 |x - 4| < 8 , we will break it down into two separate inequalities.

  • First, recognize that x4<8 |x - 4| < 8 means the expression x4 x - 4 can vary between -8 and 8 without violating the inequality constraint.
  • This gives us two inequalities to solve: 8<x4 -8 < x - 4 and x4<8 x - 4 < 8 .

Let's solve each inequality:
1. For 8<x4 -8 < x - 4 :
- Add 4 to both sides to isolate x x :
8+4<x4<x -8 + 4 < x \rightarrow -4 < x 2. For x4<8 x - 4 < 8 :
- Add 4 to both sides to isolate x x :
x<8+4x<12 x < 8 + 4 \rightarrow x < 12

By combining these results, we obtain the solution:
4<x<12 -4 < x < 12

Therefore, the range of x x that satisfies the inequality x4<8 |x - 4| < 8 is 4<x<12 -4 < x < 12 .

Hence, the correct statement from the given choices is 4<x<12\boxed{-4 < x < 12}.

Answer

-4 < x < 12

Exercise #12

Given:

\left|x+4\right|>13

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x+4>13 \left|x + 4\right| > 13 , we use the property of absolute values, which says that for a>b \left|a\right| > b , it implies a>b a > b or a<b a < -b .

Applying this to our problem, we have:

  • x+4>13 x + 4 > 13 or x+4<13 x + 4 < -13 .

Now, let's solve each inequality separately:

First inequality: x+4>13 x + 4 > 13

Subtract 4 from both sides to isolate x x :

x>134 x > 13 - 4

x>9 x > 9

Second inequality: x+4<13 x + 4 < -13

Subtract 4 from both sides to isolate x x :

x<134 x < -13 - 4

x<17 x < -17

Therefore, the solution to the inequality x+4>13 \left|x + 4\right| > 13 is x>9 x > 9 or x<17 x < -17 .

The correct answer choice is:

  • x>9 x > 9 or x<17 x < -17 .

Answer

x>9 or x<-17

Exercise #13

Given:

\left|x-5\right|>11

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality x5>11\left|x-5\right| > 11, we first apply the property of absolute values:

  • If A>B\left|A\right| > B, then A>BA > B or A<BA < -B.

Therefore, for x5>11\left|x-5\right| > 11, we have two cases to consider:

  • Case 1: x5>11x-5 > 11
  • Case 2: x5<11x-5 < -11

Let's solve each case separately:

Case 1: x5>11x-5 > 11

Add 5 to both sides to isolate xx:
x>11+5x > 11 + 5

This simplifies to:

x>16x > 16

Case 2: x5<11x-5 < -11

Add 5 to both sides to isolate xx:
x<11+5x < -11 + 5

This simplifies to:

x<6x < -6

Thus, the solution to the inequality is:

x>16x > 16 or x<6x < -6

Comparing this result with the given answer choices, the correct one is:

x>16 o x<-6

Therefore, the solution to the problem is x>16x > 16 or x<6x < -6.

Answer

x>16 or x<-6

Exercise #14

Given:

\left|x-5\right|>-11

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

The absolute value expression \left| x - 5 \right| > -11 inherently suggests that for any real number x x , the inequality holds.

Since the absolute value of any expression is always non-negative and 11-11 is negative, the condition \left| x - 5 \right| > -11 is always satisfied regardless of the choice of x x .

Thus, there is no specific limitation or exceptional circumstance that confines x x to any particular subset of the real numbers.

This implies that no particular statement about x x being greater, less, or constrained to a specific domain can be justified. Therefore, the notion of any statement being "necessarily true" in the conventional sense of constraining x x does not apply.

The correct answer, therefore, is: all x x .

Answer

all x x

Exercise #15

Given:

\left|2x-4\right|<8

Which of the following statements is necessarily true?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the absolute value inequality 2x4<8 |2x - 4| < 8 , we begin by removing the absolute value expression. This gives us a compound inequality:

8<2x4<8-8 < 2x - 4 < 8.

We will solve this compound inequality by handling each part separately:

  • Start with the left inequality: 8<2x4-8 < 2x - 4.
    • Add 4 to both sides to isolate the term with x x : 8+4<2x-8 + 4 < 2x.
    • Simplify: 4<2x-4 < 2x.
    • Finally, divide both sides by 2: 2<x-2 < x.
  • Now, solve the right inequality: 2x4<82x - 4 < 8.
    • Add 4 to both sides to isolate the term with x x : 2x4+4<8+42x - 4 + 4 < 8 + 4.
    • Simplify: 2x<122x < 12.
    • Finally, divide both sides by 2: x<6x < 6.

Combining the two solutions from the parts, we find:

2<x<6-2 < x < 6.

The solution indicates that x x must be greater than -2 and less than 6. This form matches answer choice 4. Therefore, the correct solution is:

2<x<6-2 < x < 6.

Answer

-2 < x < 6