4.5 Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Graphicall 4.5 OBJECTIVES 1. Draw the graph of an absolute value function 2. Solve an absolute value equation graphicall 3. Solve an absolute value inequalit graphicall NOTE Graph the function as Y 1 abs() Equations ma contain absolute value notation in their statements. In this section, we will look at graphicall solving statements that include absolute values. To look at a graphical approach to solving, we must first look at the graph of an absolute value function. We will start b looking at the graph of the function f(). All other graphs of absolute value functions are variations of this graph. The graph can be found using a graphing calculator (most graphing calculators use abs to represent the absolute value). We will develop the graph from a table of values. 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2 f() Plotting these ordered pairs, we see a pattern emerge. The graph is like a large V that has its verte at the origin. The slope of the line to the right of 0 is 1, and the slope of the line to the left of 0 is 1. Let us now see what happens to the graph when we add or subtract some constant inside the absolute value bars. 259
260 CHAPTER 4 GRAPHS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND FUNCTIONS Eample 1 Graphing an Absolute Value Function Graph each function. NOTE f() 3 would be entered as Y 1 abs( 3) (a) f() 3 Again, we start with a table of values. 2 5 1 4 0 3 1 2 2 1 3 0 4 1 5 2 f() Then, we plot the points associated with the set of ordered pairs. The graph of the function f() 3 is the same shape as the graph of the function f() ; it has just shifted to the right 3 units. (b) f() 1 We begin with a table of values. 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 f()
SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES GRAPHICALLY SECTION 4.5 261 Then we graph. Note that the graph of f() 1 is the same shape as the graph of the function f(), ecept that it is shifted 1 unit to the left. CHECK YOURSELF 1 Graph each function. (a) f() 2 (b) f() 3 We can summarize what we have discovered about the horizontal shift of the graph of an absolute value function. Rules and Properties: Graphing Absolute Value Functions The graph of the function f() a will be the same shape as the graph of f() ecept that the graph will be shifted a units NOTE If a is negative, a will be plus some positive number. For eample, if a 2, a ( 2) 2 to the right if a is positive to the left if a is negative We will now use these methods to solve equations that contain an absolute value epression. NOTE Algebraicall 3 4 3 4 or 3 4 7 or 1 Eample 2 Solving an Absolute Value Equation Graphicall Graphicall, find the solution set for the equation. 3 4
262 CHAPTER 4 GRAPHS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND FUNCTIONS We graph the function associated with each side of the equation. f() 3 and g() 4 f g Then, we draw a vertical line through each of the intersection points. f g We ask the question, For what values of do f and g coincide? Looking at the values of the two vertical lines, we find the solutions to the original equation. There are two values that make the statement true: 1 and 7. The solution set is 1, 7. CHECK YOURSELF 2 Graphicall find the solution set for the equation. 2 3 Eample 3 demonstrates a graphical approach to solving an absolute value inequalit. Eample 3 Solving an Absolute Value Inequalit Graphicall Graphicall solve 6 As we did in previous sections, we begin b letting each side of the inequalit represent a function. Here f() and g() 6
SOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES GRAPHICALLY SECTION 4.5 263 Now we graph both functions on the same set of aes. f g We now ask the question, For what values of is f below g? We net draw a dotted line (equalit is not included) through the points of intersection of the two graphs. f g The solution set is an value of for which the graph of f() is below the graph of g(). f g The solution set In set notation, we write 6 6. CHECK YOURSELF 3 Graphicall solve the inequalit 3
264 CHAPTER 4 GRAPHS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND FUNCTIONS CHECK YOURSELF ANSWERS 1. (a) f() 2 (b) f() 3 2. 3. { 1, 5} 3 or 3
Name 4.5 Eercises Section Date In eercises 1 to 6, graph each function. 1. f() 3 2. f() 2 ANSWERS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3. f() 3 4. f() 4 6. 7. 8. 5. f() ( 3) 6. f() ( 5) In eercises 7 to 12, solve the equations graphicall. 7. 3 8. 5 265
ANSWERS 9. 10. 11. 7 9. 2 10. 5 3 2 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 11. 2 4 12. 4 2 In eercises 13 to 16, determine the function represented b each graph. 13. 14. 15. 16. 266
ANSWERS In eercises 17 to 28, solve each inequalit graphicall. 17. 4 18. 6 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 19. 5 20. 2 21. 3 4 22. 1 5 23. 2 5 24. 2 4 267
ANSWERS 25. 26. 27. 25. 1 5 26. 4 1 28. 29. 27. 2 2 28. 4 1 29. Assessing Piston Design. Combustion engines get their power from the force eerted b burning fuel on a piston inside a chamber. The piston is forced down out of the clinder b the force of a small eplosion caused b burning fuel mied with air. The piston in turn moves a piston rod, which transfers the motion to the work of the engine. The rod is attached to a flwheel, which pushes the piston back into the clinder to begin the process all over. Cars usuall have four to eight of these clinders and pistons. It is crucial that the piston and the clinder fit well together, with just a thin film of oil separating the sides of the piston and the sides of the clinder. When these are manufactured, the measurements for each part must be accurate. But, there is alwas some error. How much error is a matter for the engineers to set and for the qualit control department to check. Suppose the diameter of the clinder is meant to be 7.6 cm, and the engineer specifies that this part must be manufactured to within 0.1 mm of that measurement. This figure is called the tolerance. As parts come off the assembl line, someone in qualit control takes samples and measures the clinders and the pistons. Given this information, complete the following. 1. Write an absolute value statement about the diameter, d c, of the clinder. 2. If the diameter of the piston is to be 7.59 cm with a tolerance of 0.1 mm, write an absolute value statement about the diameter, d p, of the piston. 3. Investigate all the possible was these two parts will fit together. If the two parts have to be within 0.1 mm of each other for the engine to run well, is there a problem with the wa the parts ma be paired together? Write our answer and use a graph to eplain. 268
4. Accurac in machining the parts is epensive, so the tolerance should be close enough to make sure the engine runs correctl, but not so close that the cost is prohibitive. If ou think a tolerance of 0.1 mm is too large, find another that ou think would work better. If it is too small, how much can it be enlarged and still have the engine run according to design? (That is, so d c d p 0.1 mm.) Write the tolerance using absolute value signs. Eplain our reasoning if ou think a tolerance of 0.1 mm is not workable. 5. After ou have decided on the appropriate tolerance for these parts, think about the qualit control engineer s job. Hazard a few educated opinions to answer these questions: How man parts should be pulled off the line and measured? How often? How man parts can reasonabl be epected to be outside the epected tolerance before the whole line is shut down and the tools corrected? Answers 1. 3. 5. 7. f() 3 3 g() 3 { 3, 3} 9. f() 2 11. f() 2 3 2 11 2 7 g() 2 3 11 {, } 2 2 6 2 g() 4 { 6, 2} 269
13. f() 2 15. f() 2 17. 19. f() f() g() 4 g() 5 { 4 4} { 5 or 5} 21. 23. f() 3 f() 2 1 7 g() 4 g() 5 { 1 7} { 3 or 7} 25. f() 1 27. f() 2 g() 5 g() 2 { 6 4} All real numbers 29. 270