Absolute Value

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SAT Math › Absolute Value

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following sentences is represented by the equation

The absolute value of the sum of a number and seven is three less than the number.

The absolute value of the sum of a number and seven is three greater than the number.

The sum of three and the absolute value of the sum of a number is three greater than the number.

The sum of three and the absolute value of the sum of a number is three less than the number.

None of the other responses are correct.

Explanation

is the absolute value of , which in turn is the sum of a number and seven and a number. Therefore, can be written as "the absolute value of the sum of a number and seven". Since it is equal to , it is three less than the number, so the equation that corresponds to the sentence is

"The absolute value of the sum of a number and seven is three less than the number."

2

Let and both be negative numbers such that and . What is ?

Explanation

We need to solve the two equations |2a – 3| = 5 and |3 – 4b| = 11, in order to determine the possible values of a and b. When solving equations involving absolute values, we must remember to consider both the positive and negative cases. For example, if |x| = 4, then x can be either 4 or –4.

Let's look at |2a – 3| = 5. The two equations we need to solve are 2a – 3 = 5 and 2a – 3 = –5.

2a – 3 = 5 or 2a – 3 = –5

Add 3 to both sides.

2a = 8 or 2a = –2

Divide by 2.

a = 4 or a = –1

Therefore, the two possible values for a are 4 and –1. However, the problem states that both a and b are negative. Thus, a must equal –1.

Let's now find the values of b.

3 – 4b = 11 or 3 – 4b = –11

Subtract 3 from both sides.

–4b = 8 or –4b = –14

Divide by –4.

b = –2 or b = 7/2

Since b must also be negative, b must equal –2.

We have determined that a is –1 and b is –2. The original question asks us to find |b – a|.

|b – a| = |–2 – (–1)| = | –2 + 1 | = |–1| = 1.

The answer is 1.

3

Let and both be negative numbers such that and . What is ?

Explanation

We need to solve the two equations |2a – 3| = 5 and |3 – 4b| = 11, in order to determine the possible values of a and b. When solving equations involving absolute values, we must remember to consider both the positive and negative cases. For example, if |x| = 4, then x can be either 4 or –4.

Let's look at |2a – 3| = 5. The two equations we need to solve are 2a – 3 = 5 and 2a – 3 = –5.

2a – 3 = 5 or 2a – 3 = –5

Add 3 to both sides.

2a = 8 or 2a = –2

Divide by 2.

a = 4 or a = –1

Therefore, the two possible values for a are 4 and –1. However, the problem states that both a and b are negative. Thus, a must equal –1.

Let's now find the values of b.

3 – 4b = 11 or 3 – 4b = –11

Subtract 3 from both sides.

–4b = 8 or –4b = –14

Divide by –4.

b = –2 or b = 7/2

Since b must also be negative, b must equal –2.

We have determined that a is –1 and b is –2. The original question asks us to find |b – a|.

|b – a| = |–2 – (–1)| = | –2 + 1 | = |–1| = 1.

The answer is 1.

4

Which of the following sentences is represented by the equation

The absolute value of the sum of a number and seven is three less than the number.

The absolute value of the sum of a number and seven is three greater than the number.

The sum of three and the absolute value of the sum of a number is three greater than the number.

The sum of three and the absolute value of the sum of a number is three less than the number.

None of the other responses are correct.

Explanation

is the absolute value of , which in turn is the sum of a number and seven and a number. Therefore, can be written as "the absolute value of the sum of a number and seven". Since it is equal to , it is three less than the number, so the equation that corresponds to the sentence is

"The absolute value of the sum of a number and seven is three less than the number."

5

Evaluate for :

Explanation

Substitute 0.6 for :

6

Evaluate for :

Explanation

Substitute 0.6 for :

7

If , what is the value of ?

Explanation

Substitute – 4 in for x. Remember that when a negative number is raised to the third power, it is negative. - = – 64. – 64 – 36 = – 100. Since you are asked to take the absolute value of – 100 the final value of f(-4) = 100. The absolute value of any number is positive.

8

If , what is the value of ?

Explanation

Substitute – 4 in for x. Remember that when a negative number is raised to the third power, it is negative. - = – 64. – 64 – 36 = – 100. Since you are asked to take the absolute value of – 100 the final value of f(-4) = 100. The absolute value of any number is positive.

9

Define an operation as follows:

For all real numbers ,

Evaluate: .

The expression is undefined.

None of the other responses is correct.

Explanation

, or, equivalently,

10

Define an operation as follows:

For all real numbers ,

Evaluate: .

The expression is undefined.

None of the other responses is correct.

Explanation

, or, equivalently,

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