Modulus Function

A modulus function gives the magnitude of a number irrespective of its sign. It is also called the absolute value function. In mathematics, the modulus of a real number x is given by the modulus function, denoted by |x|. It gives the non-negative value of x. The modulus or absolute value of a number is also considered as the distance of the number from the origin or zero.

In this article, we will learn about the modulus function definition and its properties, its domain and range, and how to apply this function. Also, we will see how to graph modulus function.

The modulus function, which is also called the absolute value function gives the magnitude or absolute value of a number irrespective of the number being positive or negative. It always gives a non-negative value of any number or variable. The parent modulus function is denoted as y = |x| or f(x) = |x|, where f: R → [0,∞) and x ∈ R.

|x| is the modulus of x, where x is a real number. If x is non-negative then f(x) will be of the same value x. If x is negative, then f(x) will be the magnitude of x, that is, f(x) = -x if x is negative. Let us sum up the modulus function formula below.

The value of the modulus function is always non-negative. If f(x) is a modulus function, then we have:

• If x is positive, then f(x) = x
• If x = 0, then f(x) = 0
• If x < 0, then f(x) = -x

This means if the value of x is greater than or equal to 0, then the modulus function takes the actual value, but if x is less than 0 then the function takes minus of the actual value 'x'.

We can apply the modulus function f(x) = |x| to any real number. i.e., its input can be any real number and hence its domain is the set of all real numbers (ℝ). The output of the modulus function is always a of non-negative real number and hence its range is [0,∞). Thus,

• The domain of the modulus function is ℝ
• The range of the modulus function is [0,∞).

Note that the domain of a modulus function f(x) = a|x - h| + k is still ℝ but its range varies on the values of 'a' and 'k'. Its range is

• y ≥ k, if a > 0
• y ≤ k, if a < 0

Now, that we know the modulus function formula, let us consider a few examples to understand its application. The steps to calculate the modulus function are given below:

Example: Consider the modulus function f(x) = |x|.

• If x = − 3, then y = f(x) = f(−3) = −(−3) = 3, here x is less than 0.
• If x = 3, then y = f(x) = f(3) = 3, here x is greater than 0
• If x = 0, then y = f(x) = f(0) = 0, here x is equal to 0

Note that f(-3) = f(3) here. In other words, |3| = |-3| = 3.

Now let us see how to plot the graph for a modulus function. Let us consider x to be a variable, taking values from -5 to 5. Calculating modulus for the positive values of 'x', the line plotted in the graph is 'y = x' and for the negative values of 'x', the line plotted in the graph is 'y = -x'.

☛ Note: The modulus function is NOT one-one function as it fails the horizontal line test.

Now, that we have the formula for the modulus function and the graph of the modulus function, let us now explore the properties of the modulus function:

• Property 1: The modulus function always gives a non-negative number as output for all real values of x. Thus, the modulus function is never equal to a negative number.

  |x| = a; a > 0 ⇒ x = ± a ;
  |x| = a; a = 0 ⇒ x = 0 ;
  |x| = a; a < 0 ⇒ There doesn't exist such x

• Property 2:
  • Case 1: (If a > 0): Inequality for a positive number
    |f(x)| < a and a > 0 ⇒ −a < f(x) < a
    |f(x)| > a and a > 0 ⇒ f(x) < -a (or) f(x) > a
  • Case 2: (If a < 0): Inequality for a negative number
    |f(x)| < a and a < 0 ⇒ there is no solution for this.
    |f(x)| > a and a < 0 ⇒ this is valid for all real values of f(x).
• Property 3: If x,y are real numbers, then
  • |-x| = |x|
  • |x − y| = 0 ⇔ x = y
  • |x + y| ≤ |x| + |y|
  • |x − y| ≥ ||x| − |y||
  • |xy| = |x| |y|
  • |x/y| = |x|/|y|, y not equal to zero.

☛ Note: Here, the property 2 helps in solving the absolute value inequalities.

Since we know that a modulus function f(x) = |x| is equal to x if x > 0 and -x if x < 0, therefore the derivative of modulus function is 1 if x > 0 and -1 if x < 0. The derivative of the modulus function is NOT defined for x = 0. Hence the derivative of modulus function can be written as d(|x|)/dx = x/|x|, for all values of x and x ≠ 0.

Using the formula of the modulus function and integration formulas, the integral of the modulus function is (1/2)x² + C if x ≥ 0, and its integral is -(1/2)x² + C if x < 0. Hence the integration of the modulus function can be clubbed as:

• ∫|x| dx = (1/2)x² + C if x ≥ 0
• ∫|x| dx = -(1/2)x² + C if x < 0

Important Notes on Modulus Function

• The modulus function is also called the absolute value function and it represents the absolute value of a number. It is denoted by f(x) = |x|.
• The domain of modulus functions is the set of all real numbers.
• The range of modulus functions is the set of all real numbers greater than or equal to 0.
• The vertex of the modulus graph y = |x| is (0,0).
• The vertex of the modulus function y = a |x - h| + k is (h, k).

☛ Related Topics:

• Modulus of Complex Number
• Absolute Value Calculator
• Mod Calculator

What is the Definition of Modulus Function?

The modulus function gives the magnitude or absolute value of a number irrespective of the number is positive or negative. The modulus function is denoted as y = |x| or f(x) = |x|, where f: ℝ → [0,∞) and x ∈ ℝ. This is also called the absolute value function.

What is the Domain and Range of the Modulus Function?

The domain of the modulus function is ℝ (where ℝ refers to the set of all real numbers) and the range of the modulus function is the set of non-negative real numbers which is denoted as [0,∞).

What is the Integration of Modulus Function?

The integration of the modulus function depends on the value of x. It is:

• ∫|x| dx = (1/2)x² + C if x ≥ 0; = -(1/2)x² + C if x < 0

How to Differentiate Modulus Function?

We have f(x) = |x| is equal to x if x > 0 and -x if x < 0, hence, the derivative of modulus function is 1 if x > 0 and -1 if x < 0. The derivative of the modulus function is not defined for x = 0. To summarize, the derivative of modulus function |x| is x/|x|, where x not equal to 0.

Is Modulus Function Always Positive?

The modulus of a positive number is positive. The modulus of a negative number is obtained by ignoring the minus sign. Thus, the modulus function is always positive.

What is the Equation of Modulus Function?

The general form of the parent function of the modulus function is f(x) = |x|. Its vertex is at (0, 0). After transformations, it may look like g(x) = a |x - h| + k, whose vertex is (h, k).

Why Modulus Function is Not Differentiable?

Modulus function |x| is not differentiable at x = 0 as the graph of Mod(x) has a sharp point at x = 0. Also, the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit of the derivative are not equal at x = 0.

How do you Graph Modulus Function?

Take some positive and negative values of x. Also, take x = 0. Frame a table with two columns x and y with all the random x-values that we have chosen. Calculate the modulus of every number and fill in the column of y. Then just plot all the ordered pairs (x, y) and join them by lines. We will get a 'V' - shaped graph and it is the graph of the modulus function.