Product with Absolute Value

If x is a real number, then for what values of x is the quantity (1 – |x|)(1 + x) a positive number?

  • x < 1
  • x = 1
  • x > 1
  • x < -1
  • x < -1 or -1 < x << 1


Show/Hide Solution

Case 1. (1 – |x|)(1 + x) > 0 if (1 – |x|) > 0 and (1 + x) > 0

(1 – |x|) > 0 and (1 + x) > 0
1 > |x| and x > -1
-1 < x < 1 and x > -1
yields -1 < x < 1 OR

Case 2. (1 – |x|) < 0 and (1 + x) < 0

(1 – |x|) < 0 and (1 + x) < 0
|x| > 1 and x < -1
(x < -1 or x > 1) and x < -1
which yields x < -1

Together these yield x < -1 or -1 < x < 1. The answer is (e).

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