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# Absolute Value Inequalities

## Inequalities with solution sets 'between' and 'above or below' certain values

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Practice Absolute Value Inequalities
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Algebraic Solutions to Absolute Value Inequalities

A ball is fired from the cannon during the Independence Day celebrations. It is fired directly into the air with an initial velocity of 150 ft/sec. The speed of the cannon ball can be calculated using the formula , where is the speed measure in ft/sec and is the time in seconds. Calculate the times when the speed is less than 86 ft/sec.

### Watch This

Khan Academy Absolute Value Inequalities

### Guidance

You have learned that a linear inequality is of the form , or . Linear inequalities, unlike linear equations, have more than one solution. They have a solution set. For example, if you look at the linear inequality . You know that is equal to 5, therefore the solution set could be any number greater than 2.

Recall that when solving absolute value linear equations, you have to solve for the two related equations. Remember that for , you had to solve for and . The same is true for linear inequalities. If you have an absolute value linear inequality, you would need to solve for the two related linear inequalities.

The table below shows the four types of absolute value linear inequalities and the two related inequalities required to be solved for each one.

Absolute Value Inequality
Inequality 1
Inequality 2

Remember the rules to algebraically solve for the variable remain the same as you have used before.

#### Example A

Solve for the absolute value inequality .

Solution: Set up and solve two inequalities:

Solution:

#### Example B

Solve for the absolute value inequality .

Solution: Set up and solve two inequalities:

Solution: or

#### Example C

Solve for the absolute value inequality .

Solution: First, isolate the absolute value part of the inequality:

Now, set up and solve the two inequalities:

Solution: or .

#### Concept Problem Revisited

A ball is fired from the cannon during the Independence Day celebrations. It is fired directly into the air with an initial velocity of 150 ft/sec. The speed of the cannon ball can be calculated using the formula , where is the speed measure in ft/sec and is the time in seconds. Calculate the times when the speed is less than 86 ft/sec.

Therefore when , the speed is greater than 86 ft/sec.

### Vocabulary

Absolute Value Linear Inequality
Absolute Value Linear inequalities can have one of four forms: , or . Absolute value linear inequalities have two related inequalities. For example for , the two related inequalities are and .
Linear Inequality
Linear inequalities can have one of four forms: , or . In other words, the left side no longer equals the right side, it is less than, greater than, less than or equal to, or greater than or equal to.

### Guided Practice

Solve each inequality:

1.

2.

3.

1.

Solution: or .

2.

Solution:

3. First, isolate the absolute value part of the inequality:

Now, set up and solve the two inequalities:

Solution:

### Practice

Solve each of the following absolute value linear inequalities:

### Answers for Explore More Problems

To view the Explore More answers, open this PDF file and look for section 2.14.

### Vocabulary Language: English

Absolute Value Linear inequalities

Absolute Value Linear inequalities

Absolute value linear inequalities can have one of four forms $|ax + b| > c, |ax + b| < c, |ax + b| \ge c$, or $|ax + b| \le c$. Absolute value linear inequalities have two related inequalities. For example for $|ax+b|>c$, the two related inequalities are $ax + b > c$ and $ax + b < -c$.
Linear Inequality

Linear Inequality

Linear inequalities are inequalities that can be written in one of the following four forms: $ax + b > c, ax + b < c, ax + b \ge c$, or $ax + b \le c$.