Concept understanding — Absolute Value: Equations and Inequalities
Definition.∣x∣=x if x≥0, and ∣x∣=−x if x<0 -- the distance of x from 0 on the number line. Consequently ∣x∣≥0 always, and ∣x∣=∣−x∣.
Solving equations.∣u∣=r (with r≥0) splits into u=r or u=−r; if r<0 there is no solution, since an absolute value can never be negative. ∣u∣=∣v∣ splits into u=v or u=−v.
Solving inequalities -- the two master rules:
∣x∣<r⟺−r<x<r,∣x∣>r⟺x<−r or x>r,
proved by splitting into the cases x≥0 and x<0. Shifted forms: ∣x−a∣≤r⟺x∈[a−r,a+r]; ∣x−a∣≥r⟺x∈(−∞,a−r]∪[a+r,∞).
Algebraic identities.∣xy∣=∣x∣∣y∣; yx=∣y∣∣x∣ (y=0); the triangle inequality∣x+y∣≤∣x∣+∣y∣; and if ∣y+x∣=∣x−y∣ then xy=0. …