Mathematics Revision Notes: Modulus Function
Comprehensive Quick-Reference & Study Sheet
1. Definition & Basic Concept
The Modulus Function (or Absolute Value Function) maps any real number to its non-negative magnitude or
distance from zero on the real number line.
Piecewise Definition:
f(x) = |x| = { x, if x ≥ 0
{ −x, if x < 0
• Domain: All real numbers, x ∈ ℝ or (−∞, ∞)
• Range: All non-negative real numbers, [0, ∞)
• Geometrical Interpretation: |x − a| represents the distance between points x and a on the real line.
2. Fundamental Properties
Property Mathematical Expression Notes / Conditions
Non-Negativity |x| ≥ 0 Equality holds |x| = 0 ⇔ x = 0
Symmetry |-x| = |x| Modulus ignores sign
Square Relation |x|² = x² and √(x²) = |x| Crucial for solving algebraic expressions
Multiplicative |xy| = |x| · |y| Modulus distributes over multiplication
Division |x / y| = |x| / |y| Valid for y ≠ 0
3. Key Modulus Inequalities
These rules are fundamental for solving modulus inequalities in algebra and calculus:
1. Less Than Inequality (where a > 0): |x| ≤ a ⇒ −a ≤ x ≤ a (i.e., x ∈ [−a, a])
2. Greater Than Inequality (where a > 0): |x| ≥ a ⇒ x ≤ −a or x ≥ a (i.e., x ∈ (−∞, −a] ∪ [a, ∞))
3. Bounded Inequality: a ≤ |x| ≤ b ⇒ x ∈ [−b, −a] ∪ [a, b]
4. Triangle Inequalities
• |x + y| ≤ |x| + |y| (Equality holds when xy ≥ 0, i.e., same sign)
• |x − y| ≥ ||x| − |y||
• |x + y| = |x| + |y| ⇔ xy ≥ 0
• |x − y| = |x| + |y| ⇔ xy ≤ 0
5. Graph of the Modulus Function
Graph Features: y = |x| Shifted Modulus: y = |x - h| + k
• Shape: Symmetric V-shaped curve centered at origin • Vertex: Shifted to (h, k).
(0, 0). • Critical Point (Corner): Occurs at x = h (where inside
• Symmetry: Symmetric about the Y-axis (Even of mod is 0).
function).
• Slope for x > h: +1
• Vertex: (0,0), which is a point of minimum value.
• Slope for x < h: −1
• Differentiability: Continuous everywhere, but not
differentiable at x = 0 due to the sharp corner (sharp
turn).
6. Method of Critical Points (For Multiple Moduli)
To break expressions containing multiple moduli like f(x) = |x − 1| + |x − 3|:
• Step 1: Find critical points by setting each modulus term to zero (x = 1, 3).
• Step 2: Divide the real line into intervals based on critical points: (−∞, 1), [1, 3), and [3, ∞).
• Step 3: Evaluate the sign of each term inside the modulus in each interval to rewrite as a piecewise
function without moduli.
Mathematics Revision Notes • Topic: Modulus Function