Algebra Examples

$f (x) = \log_{\frac{1}{2}} (| 2 - x |)$

Step 1

Set the argument in $\log_{\frac{1}{2}} (| 2 - x |)$ greater than $0$ to find where the expression is defined.

$| 2 - x | > 0$

Step 2

Solve for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Write $| 2 - x | > 0$ as a piecewise.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1

To find the interval for the first piece, find where the inside of the absolute value is non-negative.

$2 - x \geq 0$

Step 2.1.2

Solve the inequality.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.1

Subtract $2$ from both sides of the inequality.

$- x \geq - 2$

Step 2.1.2.2

Divide each term in $- x \geq - 2$ by $- 1$ and simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.2.1

Divide each term in $- x \geq - 2$ by $- 1$ . When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative value, flip the direction of the inequality sign.

$\frac{- x}{- 1} \leq \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.1.2.2.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.2.2.1

Dividing two negative values results in a positive value.

$\frac{x}{1} \leq \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.1.2.2.2.2

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x \leq \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.1.2.2.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.2.3.1

Divide $- 2$ by $- 1$ .

$x \leq 2$

Step 2.1.3

In the piece where $2 - x$ is non-negative, remove the absolute value.

$2 - x > 0$

Step 2.1.4

To find the interval for the second piece, find where the inside of the absolute value is negative.

$2 - x < 0$

Step 2.1.5

Solve the inequality.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.5.1

Subtract $2$ from both sides of the inequality.

$- x < - 2$

Step 2.1.5.2

Divide each term in $- x < - 2$ by $- 1$ and simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.5.2.1

Divide each term in $- x < - 2$ by $- 1$ . When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative value, flip the direction of the inequality sign.

$\frac{- x}{- 1} > \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.1.5.2.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.5.2.2.1

Dividing two negative values results in a positive value.

$\frac{x}{1} > \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.1.5.2.2.2

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x > \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.1.5.2.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.5.2.3.1

Divide $- 2$ by $- 1$ .

$x > 2$

Step 2.1.6

In the piece where $2 - x$ is negative, remove the absolute value and multiply by $- 1$ .

$- (2 - x) > 0$

Step 2.1.7

Write as a piecewise.

${\begin{cases} 2 - x > 0 & x \leq 2 \\ - (2 - x) > 0 & x > 2 \end{cases}$

Step 2.1.8

Simplify $- (2 - x) > 0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.8.1

Apply the distributive property.

${\begin{cases} 2 - x > 0 & x \leq 2 \\ - 1 \cdot 2 - - x > 0 & x > 2 \end{cases}$

Step 2.1.8.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

${\begin{cases} 2 - x > 0 & x \leq 2 \\ - 2 - - x > 0 & x > 2 \end{cases}$

Step 2.1.8.3

Multiply $- - x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.8.3.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $- 1$ .

${\begin{cases} 2 - x > 0 & x \leq 2 \\ - 2 + 1 x > 0 & x > 2 \end{cases}$

Step 2.1.8.3.2

Multiply $x$ by $1$ .

${\begin{cases} 2 - x > 0 & x \leq 2 \\ - 2 + x > 0 & x > 2 \end{cases}$

Step 2.2

Solve $2 - x > 0$ for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1

Subtract $2$ from both sides of the inequality.

$- x > - 2$

Step 2.2.2

Divide each term in $- x > - 2$ by $- 1$ and simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.1

Divide each term in $- x > - 2$ by $- 1$ . When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative value, flip the direction of the inequality sign.

$\frac{- x}{- 1} < \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.2.2.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.2.1

Dividing two negative values results in a positive value.

$\frac{x}{1} < \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.2.2.2.2

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x < \frac{- 2}{- 1}$

Step 2.2.2.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.3.1

Divide $- 2$ by $- 1$ .

$x < 2$

Step 2.3

Add $2$ to both sides of the inequality.

$x > 2$

Step 2.4

Find the union of the solutions.

$x < 2$ or $x > 2$

Step 3

The domain is all values of $x$ that make the expression defined.

Interval Notation:

$(- \infty, 2) \cup (2, \infty)$

Set-Builder Notation:

${x | x \neq 2}$

Step 4

The range is the set of all valid $y$ values. Use the graph to find the range.

Interval Notation:

$(- \infty, \infty)$

Set-Builder Notation:

${y | y \in ℝ}$

Step 5

Determine the domain and range.

Domain: $(- \infty, 2) \cup (2, \infty), {x | x \neq 2}$

Range: $(- \infty, \infty), {y | y \in ℝ}$

Step 6