Modulus Function
A modulus function gives the magnitude of a number irrespective of its sign. It is
also called the absolute value function.
|x| = + x
The value of the modulus function is always positive.
Properties of Modulus Function
Property 1: The modulus function always gives a non-negative number as output
for all real values of x. Thus, the modulus function is never equal to a negative
number.
|x| = a; a > 0 ⇒ x = ± a ;
|x| = a; a = 0 ⇒ x = 0 ;
|x| = a; a < 0 ⇒ There doesn't exist such x
Property 2:
|f(x)| < a and a > 0 ⇒ −a < f(x) < a
Case 1: (If a > 0): Inequality for a positive number
|f(x)| > a and a > 0 ⇒ f(x) < -a (or) f(x) > a
|f(x)| < a and a < 0 ⇒ there is no solution for this.
Case 2: (If a < 0): Inequality for a negative number
|f(x)| > a and a < 0 ⇒ this is valid for all real values of f(x).
Property 3: If x,y are real numbers, then
|-x| = |x|
|x − y| = 0 ⇔ x = y.
|x + y| = |x| + |y| if xy ≥ 0
|x − y| = |x| − |y| if xy ≤ 0
|xy| = |x| .|y|
|x/y| = |x|/|y|, y not equal to zero.