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Algebra Problems for CAT-12

A. Modulus Function |x|

We know from our school times that |x| is always positive, but in later days of our student life we encounter a more refined definition as,
x, if x 0

|x| = 0, if x 0
x, if x 0

So it is different than earlier ones. Certainly not. But still doubts many and many a times that how is it possible |x| = -x. (i.e. negative of x) Just be cautious. |x| is always positive. But for negative x we need to multiply it with a nehative sigh to make it positive. One more inference: How many different values can be obtained by x/|x| Certainly it can be 1 or -1 only for non-zero x as the given expression (known as Signum Function, more commonly) is not defined for x = 0. Now look at some other type of problems: If x + y = 10, then what is the minimum value of |x| + |y|? If x + y = -10, then find the maximum value of |x| - |y|? If |x| + |y| = 10, then find the minimum value of (x - y)? If |x| - |y| = 10, then find the maximum value of (x + y)? I am leaving these as practice exercise for you. I am going to ask something similar of them in session tonight. So happy solving.

B. |x - a| as Distance Function
What does 2 means on a number line? You may find the question absurd. But it is not. See carefully that on number line a points name tells about it distance from Origin. Do you agree? Lets take some examples: 2 is at a distance of 2 units from origin. 111 is at a distance of 111 units from origin.
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Algebra Problems for CAT-12

What about -5? No problem -5 also tells that it is at a distance of 5 units from origin but on left side. Similarly what does x tells about? Same, distance of x from origin. One more query now: What does x 2 represent on number line? Certainly going by the same logic, it tells about the difference of distances of x and 2 from the origin. Or in other words, I can also says that (x - 2) tells about the distance between x and 2. A positive value will indicate that x lies on the right of 2 and negative indicates that x lies on the left of 2. I hope it is clear so far. Now comes the final query: What does |x - 2| represent on number line? Certainly it represents the magnitude of distance between two points x and 2 on number line. Now you must be able to see this question with a different vision and answer it easily. Find x such that |x - 2| = 5. It simply means distance between x and 2 on number line is 5. That means x lies at a distance of 5 units from 2 on either side i.e. x = 5 ahead of 2 i.e. 7 or 5 before 2 i.e. -3. One more to clarify the concept: Find the minimum value of |x - 2| + |x - 3|. Now itll clear this all properly. Given expression represents sum of distances between x and 2 AND x and 3. Or it is sum of distances of x from 2 and 3. Certainly, for the least case, x should lie between 2 and 3. And the least sum is distance between 2 and 3 i.e. 1. Well do more and better problems on this in the session.
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Algebra Problems for CAT-12

C. Some equations involving two variables

Find the number of integral solutions of the equation |x| + |y| = 10. You can simply make four equations : x + y = 10; x y = 10; -x + y = 10; -x y = 10 and plot them on co-ordinate plane to form a square. Now required number of points can easily be counted as 11 on each line but vertex points have been counted twice. So final answer will be 4(11) 4 = 4(10) = 40. What about the area of the region bounded by the curve |x| + |y| = 10? Clearly it is area of square with diagonal length of 20 i.e. 202 = 200. One more variation: Find the number of points with integral co-ordinates which satisfy |x| + |y| 10. Not necessary to apply much brain. Although there are different methods to solve this one but easiest to count the cases for |x| + |y| = 10 and |x| + |y| = 9 and |x| + |y| = 8 and so on up to |x| + |y| = 0 which comes out to be 4(10 + 9 + 8 + ... + 1) + 1 = 221. What about the number of integral points which satisfy |x - 2| + |y + 3| = 10? I am going to discuss this and such many more in the session.

I know that this handout is not complete on the topic. But it covers major part and I hope that it is of some help to you all. You are free to share it to anyone and everyone whoever might get benefitted by this. Kamal Lohia (kamallohia@yahoo.com)

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