How Do You Write an Absolute Value Inequality from a Word Problem?

How Do You Write an Absolute Value Inequality from a Word Problem?

Note:

Sometimes the hardest part of a word problem is figuring out how to turn the words into math. This tutorial let's you see the steps to take in order to do just that! You'll see how to take a word problem and dissect it to turn it into an absolute value inequality.

Keywords:

  • problem
  • word problem
  • word
  • translate words to algebra
  • inequality
  • absolute value
  • write inequality
  • absolute value inequality

Background Tutorials

  • Find a percent of a quantity as a rate per 100 (e.g., 30% of a quantity means 30/100 times the quantity); solve problems involving finding the whole, given a part and the percent.

      • How Do You Turn a Percent into a Decimal?How Do You Turn a Percent into a Decimal?

      How Do You Turn a Percent into a Decimal?

      Percents and Decimals are just tools that let us represent numbers, and that is why percents can be converted into decimals, and decimals can be converted into percents. In this tutorial you'll see how quickly you can convert percents into decimals!

  • Interpret statements of inequality as statements about the relative position of two numbers on a number line diagram.

      • What's an Inequality?What's an Inequality?

      What's an Inequality?

      Inequalities come up all the time when you're working algebra problems. In this tutorial you'll learn what an inequality is, and you'll see all the common inequality symbols that you're likely to see :)

  • Understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from 0 on the number line; interpret absolute value as magnitude for a positive or negative quantity in a real-world situation.

      • What Does Absolute Value Mean?What Does Absolute Value Mean?

      What Does Absolute Value Mean?

      In this tutorial you'll see how you can think of absolute value in a very intuitive way. Let us know if you have any questions about it!

  • Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Represent constraints by equations or inequalities, and by systems of equations and/or inequalities, and interpret solutions as viable or nonviable options in a modeling context.

      • What Are Some Words We Use To Write Inequalities?What Are Some Words We Use To Write Inequalities?

      What Are Some Words We Use To Write Inequalities?

      Knowing the definition for a compound inequality is one thing, but being able to identify one in a word problem or phrase can be an entirely different challenge. Arm yourself by learning some of the common phrases used to describe a compound inequality and an absolute value inequality.

Further Exploration

  • Solve word problems leading to inequalities of the form px + q > r or px + q < r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers. Graph the solution set of the inequality and interpret it in the context of the problem.

  • Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems. Include equations arising from linear and quadratic functions, and simple rational and exponential functions.

  • Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations with coefficients represented by letters.