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an incorrect definition of an absolute value is

 

A: |x|= x for x>0, 0 for x=0, -x for x<0

 

B: |x|= x for x > or equal 0, -x for x<0

 

C: |x|= x for x>0, -x for x< or equal 0

 

D: |x|= x for x>0, -x for x<0

 

6 years ago

Answered By Leonardo F

This question is a little dubious, because letters C and D are incorrect. The absolute value function is defined like this: |x| = x for a positive x|x| = −x for a negative x (in which case −x is positive), and |0| = 0. 

Alternative C is incorrect because the absolute value of x is not - x when x is 0, it should be x when x=0.

However, alternative D is incorrect because it doesn't account 0 at all, which is a value completely defined in the domain of the function f(x)= |x|.

I would say alternative D.


6 years ago

Answered By Sophia E

I honestly feel unsure about the answer, especially because of the way answers B and C are worded. If you're a visual learner, you may want to consider the graph of  $f\left(x\right)=\left|x\right|$ƒ (x)=|x|.

A would be the correct definition since  $\left|x\right|=x$|x|=x for  $x>0$x>0 , $\left|x\right|=-x$|x|=x for  $x<0$x<0 and  $\left|0\right|=0$|0|=0 .

B and C both made me think (at least) a little longer (possibly because I'm overthinking the conditions given in the answers). I get that when you plug in 0 for any positive x, then it satisfies the condition  $x\ge0$x0. Similarly, when you plug in  $-x=0$x=0, then the answer is still 0, so then that would satisfy the condition  $x\le0$x0. Since 0 satisfies both conditions in B and C, then B and C are correct definitions.

D says that  "$\left|x\right|=x$|x|=x for   $x>0$x>0   [and] $\left|x\right|=-x$|x|=x for  $x<0$x<0." This implies that 0 is not included in the function |x|, which would therefore create a totally different function.

To answer the original question of what an incorrect definition is for an absolute value, based on my thought process, I would say D is the incorrect definition.

Hope this helps!

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