Kritisood
What is the minimum value of |x +11| - |x - 7|?
A. -18
B. -4
C. 0
D. 4
E. 18
@Experts how is the answer -18? if i take x = -11 |-11+11| - |-11-7| => - |-18| => value inside the mod is <0 therefore -18 will come out when i remove the mod -(-18) = +18
could someone correct what im doing wrong?
Critical points of |x +11| - |x - 7| are -11 and 7.
When \(x < -11\), then \(x + 11 < 0\) and \(x - 7 < 0\), which means that for this range \(|x +11| = -(x + 11)\) and \(|x - 7| = -(x - 7) = 7 - x\). So, in this range \(|x +11| - |x - 7| = -(x + 11) - (7 - x) = -18\).
When \(-11 \leq x \leq 7,\) then \(x + 11 \geq 0\) and \(x - 7 \leq 0\), which means that for this range \(|x +11| = x + 11\) and \(|x - 7| = -(x - 7) = 7 - x\). So, in this range \(|x +11| - |x - 7| = x + 11 - (7 - x) = 2x + 4\). The least value for \(2x + 7\) for given range is when \(x = -11\), so the lowest value is -18.
When \(x > 7\), then \(x + 11 > 0\) and \(x - 7 > 0\), which means that for this range \(|x +11| = x + 11\) and \(|x - 7| = x - 7\). So, in this range \(|x +11| - |x - 7| = x + 11) - (x - 7) = 18\).
Answer: A.
The graph of |x +11| - |x - 7| is given below:

Quote:
@Experts how is the answer -18? if i take x = -11 |-11+11| - |-11-7| => - |-18| => value inside the mod is <0 therefore -18 will come out when i remove the mod -(-18) = +18
could someone correct what im doing wrong?
If \(x = -11\), \(|x +11| - |x - 7| = |-11 +11| - |-11 - 7| = |0| - |-18| = 0 - 18 = -18\). (|-18| is 18)
The way you are doing: \(- |-18| = -(-(-18)) = -18\).
I always find your quant explanation smooth,different from conventional ones and easy to understand. You are just brilliant.
However, I couldnt understand this explanatuon clearly. Actually i have some bad issues with Absolute Values Questions with equations as well inequalities. Can you suggest some best way to master them.
Thank you.