Absolute Value - GMAT Math Study Guide

Related Study Guides Absolute Value & Inequalities

Table of Contents
1. Definitions 1. A Deeper Understanding of Absolute Value 2. Solving Equations With Absolute Values 3. Working With Multiple Absolute Values 4. Types of GMAT Problems

Definitions

Absolute Value - The value of a number without

regard to its sign. For example, the absolute value of -3, denoted |-3|, is 3. Similarly, |-2| = 2 = |2| A Deeper Understanding of Absolute Value Related Study Guides Coordinate Geometry One means to see the concept of absolute value is graphically. The following graph depicts two equations: y = x [Blue Line]

y = |x| [Red Line]

x |x| -7 7 -6 6 -5 5 -4 4 -3 3 -2 2 -1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5

The absolute value of a number is its distance from the origin. Another means to understand absolute value is as the distance from the origin. For example, at the value of x = -7, the distance from the origin, where x = 0, is the absolute value of x=-7, which is 7.

Solving Equations With Absolute Values

An equation with an absolute value term within it often has two solutions. In order to solve an absolute value equation: (1) isolate the absolute value term (2) Solve the absolute value term for two circumstances: (i) the value inside the absolute value brackets is positive (ii) the value within the absolute value brackets is negative. To summarize: 1.) Isolate the absolute value term. 2.) Set the expression opposite the absolute value as negative (i.e., multiply it by negative one). |x| + 10 = 20 Isolate the Absolute Value: |x| + 10 - 10 = 20 - 10 |x| = 10 X is Positive: x = 10 X is Negative: x = -10 [Make the expression opposite the absolute value negative] Another Example: |x + 5| + 20 = 60 Isolate the Absolute Value: |x + 5| + 20 - 20 = 60 - 20 |x + 5| = 40 X is Positive: x + 5 = 40 x + 5 - 5 = 40 - 5 x = 35 X is Negative: x + 5 = -40 [Make the expression opposite

the absolute value negative] x = -45 Another Example: |10x + 8| - 4 > 5 + 2x Isolate the Absolute Value: |10x + 8| > 9 + 2x X is Positive: 10x + 8 > 9 + 2x 8x + 8 > 9 8x > 1 x > 1/8 X is Negative: 10x + 8 < (-1)(9 + 2x) 10x + 8 < -9 - 2x 12x + 8 < -9 12x < -17 x < -17/12

Working With Multiple Absolute Values

Multiple absolute values should be dealt with by working with the innermost one and moving outwards. For example: | 3 - (| -5|) | = |3 - 5| = |-2| =2

Types of GMAT Problems

1. Solving Equations With Absolute Values Begin by isolating the absolute value. Rewrite the new equation without the absolute value brackets and solve for the variable. Rewrite the new equation without the absolute value brackets and multiply one side of the equation by -1. Solve this new equation for the variable. The solution should consist of two different answers, usually one being negative and

the other being positive (although this is not always true). Solve for x, |x+5|-10 = 0
A) B) C) D) E) x=5 or x=-15 x=2 or x=-18 x=3 or x=-17 x=6 or x=-14 x=1 or x=-17

Hide Answer Correct Answer: A Hide Explanation 1. Isolate the absolute value. |x+5|-10 = 0 |x+5| = 10; (add 10 to both sides) 2. x+5 can equal +10 or -10 due to absolute value 3. Rewrite the equation without the brackets. x+5 = 10 4. Solve for x by subtracting 5 from both sides. x = 10 - 5 x=5 5. Rewrite |x+5| = 10 without the brackets and multiply the right side by -1 since the expression in the absolute value brackets could be negative due to the effect of the absolute value. x+5 = (10)(-1) x+5 = -10 6. Solve for x by subtracting 5 from both sides. x = -10 - 5 x=-15 7. x = 5 or x = -15 How helpful was this explanation?

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2. Solving Inequalities With Absolute Values Begin by isolating the absolute value. Rewrite the new equation without the absolute value brackets and solve for the variable. Rewrite the new equation without the absolute value brackets, flip the inequality, and multiply the side that did not have the absolute value by -1. Solve this new equation for the variable. The solution will correspond to a section (or sections) of the number line. Solve for x, |3x-5|-5 < -2x
A) B) C) D) E) x>1 and x<-3 0<x<2 -2<x<2 x>2 and x<-5 x>1 and x<0

Hide Answer Correct Answer: B Hide Explanation 1. Rewrite the inequality so that the absolute value is isolated. |3x-5|-5 < -2x |3x-5| < -2x+5 2. Remove the brackets. 3x-5 < -2x+5 3. Solve for x. 3x+2x < 5+5 [added 2x to both sides; added 5 to both sides] 5x < 10 x<2 4. Rewrite |3x-5| < -2x+5 without the brackets and multiply the right side by -1. Since you are multiplying an inequality by a

negative number, you must flip the inequality sign. 3x-5 > (-2x+5)(-1) 3x-5 > 2x-5 5. Solve for x. 3x-2x > -5+5 x>0 6. Combine the two solutions to get: 0<x<2 How helpful was this explanation? Report Typo Report Content Error

Table of Contents
1. Definitions 2. Laws of Exponents 3. Solving Exponential Equations 1. Exponential Equations & the Number of Solutions 2. Techniques for Solving Exponential Equations 4. Multiplying Exponents 5. Dividing Exponents 6. Simplifying Exponents 7. Types of GMAT Problems

Definitions

Base - the number that is multiplied by itself a certain quantity of times. For example, in the expression 23, the number 2 is the base. Exponent - the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself. For example, in the expression 23, the number 3 is the exponent.

Radical - the sign used to denote the square or nth root of a number. For example, the value of "radical 4" is 2 and the value of "radical 9" is 3. Exponential Expression - an expression or term with a power or exponent that is not one. For example, x2 is an exponential expression while x is not an exponential expression. Similarly, x1/2 (called the square root of x) is an exponential expression while 2x is not an exponential expression. Exponential Equation - an equation with a term that has an exponent greater than one. For example, x3/2 + 2x + 1 is an exponential expression while 2x + 3 is not an exponential expression. Similarly, x3 = 27 is an exponential equation while x + 2 = 29 is not an exponential equation.

Exponents signify repeated self-multiplication. E.g.,: 23 = 2*2*2 Exponents are a shorthand way of representing repeated multiplication. Consider the following examples, which are all exponential equations because a term is multiplied by itself multiple times: x3 = x*x*x 8 = 2*2*2 = 23 (-2)3 = -8 = (-2)(-2)(-2)

Laws of Exponents
There are many laws of exponents that should be memorized and practiced in order to be thoroughly understood. The following exponent laws are detailed more thoroughly with examples on the exponential powers page and the radicals & roots page.

Solving Exponential Equations

Exponential Equations & the Number of Solutions One property of exponential equations that is initially confusing to some students is determining how many solutions an equation will have. 1. Exponential equations with one term and an even power will have up to 2 solutions. x4=-2 has no solutions x4=16 has solutions x=-2 and x=2

2. Exponential equations with one term and an odd power will have exactly one solution. x3=27 has one solution x=3. Notice x=-3 is not a solution as (-3)*(-3)*(-3) = -27 3. Exponential equations with multiple terms and both even and odd exponents can have many solutions. x3 - 7x + 6 = 0 has three solutions: x=1, 2, -3 An even exponent hides the sign of its roots (e.g., x2=4; x = 2 and x = -2). One of the more commonly tested properties of exponents and exponential equations is that an even exponent hides the sign of its roots. Consider the following example: x2 = 4 x = 2 OR x = -2 since (-2)(-2) = +4 Techniques for Solving Exponential Equations As noted above, an exponential equation has one or more terms with a base that is raised to a power that is not 1. While there is no formula for solving an exponential equation, the following examples provide some insight into common techniques used in finding the unknown value in an exponential equation.
Technique 1: Isolate and Raise to the Inverse Exponent

Arrange the term with an exponent on one side of the equation and the other terms on the other side of the equation. Raise both sides of the equation to the inverse exponent. 3x4 + 6 = 54 Work to isolate the x4 term by subtracting 6 from both sides and then dividing both sides by 3. 3x4 = 48 x4 = 16

In order to isolate x, since x is raised to the 4/1 power, raise both sides to the inverse power (i.e., 1/4).

Technique 2: Solve Through Factoring

Isolating an exponent often makes solving an equation easier. For a more detailed explanation of this technique, please visit the factoring study guide and the quadratic equations study guide. Arrange all similar terms on one side of the equal sign and then factor.

Divide each term by 2, which is a common factor, and then subtract the number on the right side of the equation.

Using factoring rules, simplify and solve the exponential equation.

Multiplying Exponents
The formulas above can be used to multiply together exponents in order to solve exponential equations. The most important formulas to use are the following:

In order to better understand how these formulas could be used to multiply exponents, consider the following example: 4x22x38x-4 = (23)2 4*2*8*x2x3x-4 = 26 4*2*8*x2+3-4 = 64 4*2*8*x1 = 64 64x = 64 x=1

Dividing Exponents
The aforementioned formulas are helpful in dividing exponents, especially these two exponent formulas.

In order to better understand the division of exponents, consider the following example, which is solved in two ways to provide a more thorough understanding of how to divide exponents.

Method 1

Method 2

Simplifying Exponents
Related Study Guides Simplifying Expressions The above examples provide some insight into the process of simplifying exponents. While there are no hard and fast rules for this process, asking the following questions often provides clues about how to best simplify an expression. 1. Are there terms that can be written with a common base or exponent? 2. Are there terms that can be reduced or canceled? 3. Can terms be factored so as to yield a common term or solution?

Types of GMAT Problems

1. Solving an Exponential Equation Basic exponential equations can be solved by isolating the term with the exponent. For an exponent m/n, take the n/m exponent of both sides, simplify, and solve for x. Solve for x, x5-32 = 0
A) B) C) D) E) 3 2 7 5 4

Hide Answer Correct Answer: B Hide Explanation 1. Isolate the x5 term. x5 = 32 (add 32 to both sides) 2. Exponentiate both sides by (1/5). (x5)(1/5) = (x5/5) = 32(1/5) 3. Since 32 = 25, you can simplify 32(1/5) 32(1/5) = (25)(1/5) 4. Returning to the originally simplified expression: (x5/5) = 32(1/5) x1 = 2(5/5) = 21 x=2 How helpful was this explanation?
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2. Same Base Problems When the unknown is in the exponent, it may require rewriting the equation so each side has the same base. If, on each side of the equation, there is only the same constant base with different exponents, a

new equation can be written equating the exponents from the two sides. Solve for x, (82x)2 = 64x-2
A) B) C) D) E) -3 5 -1 4 -2

Hide Answer Correct Answer: E Hide Explanation 1. You can solve this problem by using a common base of either 2 or 8 2. Solve Using a Base of 2 1. Rewrite both sides to have the same base since both sides are multiples of 2. 8 = 23 64 = 26 (82x)2 = 64x-2 ((23)2x)2 = (26)x-2 2. Simplify by using the laws of exponents. (23)2x*2 = 26*(x-2) 23*4x = 26x-12 212x = 26x-12 3. Take out the bases and equate the exponents. Solve for x: 12x = 6x-12 6x = -12 (subtract 6x from both sides) x = -2 (divide both sides by 6) 3. Solve Using a Base of 8 1. Rewrite both sides to have the same base since both sides are multiples of 8.

(82x)2 = ((81)2x)2 = 84x 64x-2 = (82)x-2 = 82x - 4 84x = 82x - 4 2. Take out the bases and equate the exponents. Solve for x: 4x = 2x - 4 2x = -4 x = -2 How helpful was this explanation?
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3. Eliminating Roots If a problem contains a square root, it is easiest to isolate the radical term and then square both sides. Also, for equations with cube roots, the same can be done, except cube both sides rather than square them.
x=6 or x=-6 x=6 x=5 or x=-5 x=4 x=4 or x=-4

A) B) C) D) E)

Hide Answer Correct Answer: A Hide Explanation 1. Isolate the radical. (add 7 to both sides) 2. Square both sides. x2+13 = 49 3. Solve for x. x2 = 36 (subtract 13 from both sides)

x=6 or x=-6 (take the square root of both sides remembering to include both the positive and negative solutions) How helpful was this explanation?
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