# Connexions

You are here: Home » Content » Functions » Modulus function

### Recently Viewed

This feature requires Javascript to be enabled.

Inside Collection:

Collection by: Sunil Kumar Singh. E-mail the author

# Modulus function

Module by: Sunil Kumar Singh. E-mail the author

The modulus function returns positive value of a variable or an expression. For this reason, this function is also referred as absolute value function. In reference to modulus of an independent variable, the function results in a non-negative value of the variable, irrespective of whether independent variable is positive or negative. The intent of this expression for different values of “x” is expressed as :


| x, x≥0
|x| = |
| -x, x<0


When value of "x" is a non-negative number, then function is "x"; otherwise "-x". The negative sign in the second interval ensures that the function return a positive value when variable is negative.

There are different interpretations of modulus, depending on situations. In particular, modulus of a real variable and modulus of an expression needs to be interpreted in proper context. Modulus of real variable is equivalent to modulus of real number as variable can take real values only. On the other hand modulus of an expression needs to be treated differently. An expression in a variable is a function. The fact that modulus modifies function values changes function properties. Besides, modulus function can also be interpreted to represent distance of a point with respect to a reference point.

In order to investigate the nature of modulus function, we investigate its plot with respect to independent variable. Here, we calculate few initial values to draw the plot as :

F o r x = - 2, y = | x | = - x = - - 2 = 2 F o r x = - 2, y = | x | = - x = - - 2 = 2

F o r x = - 1, y = | x | = - x = - - 1 = 1 F o r x = - 1, y = | x | = - x = - - 1 = 1

F o r x = 0, y = | x | = x = 0 F o r x = 0, y = | x | = x = 0

F o r x = 1, y = | x | = x = 1 F o r x = 1, y = | x | = x = 1

F o r x = 2, y = | x | = x = 2 F o r x = 2, y = | x | = x = 2

The graph of the function is shown here :

The graph of modulus function is continuous having a corner at x=0. It means that graph is differentiable at all points except at x=0 (we can not draw a tangent at a corner). Since graph is symmetric about y-axis, modulus function is even function. We also see that there are pair of x values for non-zero values of y. This, in turn, means that image and pre-images are not uniquely related. As such, modulus function is not invertible.

It is clear from the graph that the domain of modulus function is "R". However, the function values are only positive values, including zero. Hence, range of modulus function is upper half of the real number set, including zero.

D o m a i n = R D o m a i n = R

R a n g e = [ 0, ) R a n g e = [ 0, )

In the nutshell, we see that modulus represents a non-negative value. Going by this interpretation, modulus of a variable can also be thought as the square root of the square of the variable. We must emphasize that an unsigned square root is a non-negative value same as modulus value. Hence,

| x | = x 2 | x | = x 2

Modulus function is a non – negative value. There are some other such non-negative expressions. Here, we enumerate them for ready reference :

• Modulus of an expression or variable : |x|
• Even powers of an expression or variable : x 2 n , where n Z x 2 n , where n Z
• Even root of an expression or variable : x 1 2 n , where n Z x 1 2 n , where n Z
• y = 1 – sinx; y = 1 – cosx; (as sinx ≤1 and cosx ≤1)

## Modulus and equality

Modulus of a variable or an expression is referred frequently in different mathematical contexts. Modulus is also widely used to denote intervals. The representation of interval, in terms of modulus, has the advantage of compactness. We, however, need to be careful in interpreting modulus. Here, we present certain important interpretations of expressions and equations, which involve modulus.

For the sake of understanding, we consider a non-negative number "2" equated to modulus of independent variable "x" like :

| x | = 2 | x | = 2

Then, the values of “x” satisfying this equation is :

x = ± 2 x = ± 2

It is intuitive to note that values of "x" satisfying above equation is actually the intersection of modulus function "y=[x]" and "y=2" plots as shown in the figure.

Further, it is easy to realize that equating a modulus function to a negative number is meaningless. The modulus expression "|x|" always evaluates to a non-negative number for all real values of "x". Observe in the figure above that line "y=-2" does not intersect modulus plot at all.

We express these results in general form, using an expression f(x) in place of "x" as :

| f(x) | = a ; a > 0 f(x) = ± a | f(x) | = a ; a > 0 f(x) = ± a

| f(x) | = a ; a = 0 f(x) = 0 | f(x) | = a ; a = 0 f(x) = 0

| f(x) | = a ; a < 0 There is no solution of this equality | f(x) | = a ; a < 0 There is no solution of this equality

### Modulus as distance

The modulus of an expression “x-a” is interpreted to represent “distance” between “x” and “a” on the real number line. For example :

| x 2 | = 5 | x 2 | = 5

This means that the variable “x” is at a distance “5” from “2”. We see here that the values of “x” satisfying this equation is :

x 2 = ± 5 x 2 = ± 5

Either

x = 2 + 5 = 7 x = 2 + 5 = 7

or,

x = 2 5 = - 3 x = 2 5 = - 3

The “x = 7” is indeed at a distance “5” from “2” and “x=-3” is indeed at a distance “5” from “2”. Similarly, modulus |x|= 3 represents distance on either side of origin.

## Modulus and inequality

Interpretation of inequality involving modulus depends on the nature of number being compared with modulus.

Case 1 : a>0

The values of x that satisfy "less than (<)" inequality lies between intervals defined between -a and a, excluding end points of the interval. On the other hand, values of x that satisfy "greater than (>)" inequality lies in two disjointed intervals.

| x | < a ; a > 0 - a < x < a | x | < a ; a > 0 - a < x < a

| x | > a ; a > 0 x < - a or x > a x ( −∞ ,a ) ( a, ) | x | > a ; a > 0 x < - a or x > a x ( −∞ ,a ) ( a, )

Important aspect of these inequalities is that they can be used to express intervals in compact form. For example, range of cosecant trigonometric function is x ( −∞ ,-1 ] [ 1, } x ( −∞ ,-1 ] [ 1, } . Equivalently, we can write this interval as |x|≥1.

We extend these results to an expression as :

| f(x) | < a ; a > 0 - a < f(x) < a | f(x) | < a ; a > 0 - a < f(x) < a

For inequality involving greater than comparison with a positive number represents union of two separate intervals.

| f(x) | > a ; a > 0 f(x) < - a or f(x) > a | f(x) | > a ; a > 0 f(x) < - a or f(x) > a

Case 2 : a<0

Modulus can not be equated to negative number as modulus always evaluates to non-negative number. Clearly, modulus of an expression or variable can not be less than a negative number. However, modulus function is always greater than negative number. Hence, we conclude that :

| x | < a ; a < 0 There is no solution of this inequality | x | < a ; a < 0 There is no solution of this inequality

| x | > a ; a < 0 This inequality is valid for all real values of x | x | > a ; a < 0 This inequality is valid for all real values of x

Extending these results to expression, we have :

| f(x) | < a ; a < 0 There is no solution of this inequality | f(x) | < a ; a < 0 There is no solution of this inequality

| f(x) | > a ; a < 0 This inequality is valid for all real values of f(x) | f(x) | > a ; a < 0 This inequality is valid for all real values of f(x)

## Example 1

Problem : Find the domain of the function given by :

f x = x | x | x f x = x | x | x

Solution : The function is in rational form. The domain of the function in the numerator is "R". We are, now, required to find the value of “x” for which denominator is real and not equal to zero. Now, expression within square root is a non-negative. However, as the function is in denominator, it should not evaluate to zero either. It means that the expression within square root is positive :

| x | x > 0 | x | x > 0

| x | > x | x | > x

If “x” is a non-negative number, then by definition, "|x| = x". This result, however, is contradictory to the inequality given above. Hence, “x” can not be non-negative. When "x" is a negative number, then the inequality holds as modulus of a real variable is always greater than negative number. It means that "x" is a negative number :

x < 0 x < 0

Thus, domain of the given function is equal to intersection of "R" and interval "x<0". It is given by :

Domain = - , 0 Domain = - , 0

## Additional properties of modulus function

Here, we enumerate some more properties of modulus of a real variable i.e. modulus of a real number.

Let x,y and z be real variables. Then :

| - x | = | x | | - x | = | x | | x - y | = 0 x = y | x - y | = 0 x = y | x + y | | x | + | y | | x + y | | x | + | y | | x - y | | | x | - | y | | | x - y | | | x | - | y | | | x y | = | x | X | y | | x y | = | x | X | y | | x y | = | x | | y | ; | y | 0 | x y | = | x | | y | ; | y | 0

Modulus |x-y| represents distance of x from y. Also, we know that sum of two sides of a triangle is greater than third side. Combining these two facts, we write a general property for modulus involving real numbers as :

| x - y | < | x - z | + | z - y | | x - y | < | x - z | + | z - y |

## Square function

There is striking similarity between modulus and square function. Both functions evaluate to non-negative values.

y = | x | ; y 0 y = | x | ; y 0

y = x 2 ; y 0 y = x 2 ; y 0

Their plots are similar. Besides, they behave almost alike to equalities and inequalities. We shall not discuss each of the cases as done for the modulus function, but with a specific number (4 or -4). We shall enumerate each of the possibilities, which can be easily understood in the background of discussion for modulus function.

1: Equality

x 2 = 4 x = ± 2 x 2 = 4 x = ± 2

x 2 = - 4 No solution x 2 = - 4 No solution

2: Inequality with non-negative number

A. Less than or less than equal to

x 2 < 4 - 2 < x < 2 x 2 < 4 - 2 < x < 2

B. Greater than or greater than equal to

x 2 > 4 x < - 2 or x > 2 ( - , - 2 ) ( 2, ) x 2 > 4 x < - 2 or x > 2 ( - , - 2 ) ( 2, )

3: Inequality with negative number

A. Less than or less than equal to

x 2 < - 4 No solution x 2 < - 4 No solution

B. Greater than or greater than equal to

x 2 > - 4 Always true x 2 > - 4 Always true

## Acknowledgment

Author wishes to thank Mr. Ritesh Shah for making suggestion to remove error in the module.

## Content actions

PDF | EPUB (?)

### What is an EPUB file?

EPUB is an electronic book format that can be read on a variety of mobile devices.

#### Collection to:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks

#### Module to:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks