MHB Number Line & Intervals (Part 1)

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The discussion focuses on plotting intervals on a number line based on given inequalities involving absolute values. For the inequality |x| < 2, the correct interval is identified as (-2, 2), while for |x| > 0, the intervals are expressed as (-infinity, 0) and (0, infinity), indicating values less than and greater than zero. The participants confirm the accuracy of the math work and discuss the use of TikZ for creating diagrams. There is also a personal reflection on the enjoyment of math and its role in helping others, highlighting a commitment to improving math skills. Overall, the conversation emphasizes understanding interval notation and the utility of visual aids in mathematics.
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The set of real numbers satisfying the given inequality is one or more intervals on the number line. Show the intervals on a number line.

(A) |x| < 2

(B) |x| > 0

For (A), I must plot -2 < x < 2 on the number line. In interval notation it is written (-2, 2). Is this right?

For (B), we have the fact that x < 0 or x > 0. Does this mean there is an arrow to the left and right of zero on the number line? I do not understand why, in interval notation, we write (-infinity, 0) and (0, infinity).
 
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This is how I would draw the intervals:

a)

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=2.5]
\draw[very thick] (-2,0) -- (2,0);
\path [draw=black, fill=white, thick] (-2,0) circle (2pt);
\path [draw=black, fill=white, thick] (2,0) circle (2pt);
\draw[latex-latex] (-2.5,0) -- (2.5,0) ;
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,3pt) -- (0pt,-3pt);
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,0pt) -- (0pt,-3pt) node[below]
{$\x$};
\end{tikzpicture}

b)

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=2.5]
\path [draw=black, fill=white, thick] (0,0) circle (2pt);
\draw[latex-latex] (-2.5,0) -- (2.5,0) ;
\draw[->,thick] (0,0) -- (2.25,0);
\draw[->,thick] (0,0) -- (-2.25,0);
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,3pt) -- (0pt,-3pt);
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,0pt) -- (0pt,-3pt) node[below]
{$\x$};
\end{tikzpicture}
 
MarkFL said:
This is how I would draw the intervals:

a)

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=2.5]
\draw[very thick] (-2,0) -- (2,0);
\path [draw=black, fill=white, thick] (-2,0) circle (2pt);
\path [draw=black, fill=white, thick] (2,0) circle (2pt);
\draw[latex-latex] (-2.5,0) -- (2.5,0) ;
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,3pt) -- (0pt,-3pt);
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,0pt) -- (0pt,-3pt) node[below]
{$\x$};
\end{tikzpicture}

b)

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=2.5]
\path [draw=black, fill=white, thick] (0,0) circle (2pt);
\draw[latex-latex] (-2.5,0) -- (2.5,0) ;
\draw[->,thick] (0,0) -- (2.25,0);
\draw[->,thick] (0,0) -- (-2.25,0);
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,3pt) -- (0pt,-3pt);
\foreach \x in {-2,-1,0,1,2}
\draw[shift={(\x,0)},color=black] (0pt,0pt) -- (0pt,-3pt) node[below]
{$\x$};
\end{tikzpicture}

Cool. Is my math work correct, Mark? You must have a computer math software.
 
RTCNTC said:
Cool. Is my math work correct, Mark? You must have a computer math software.

Yes, your math is all good. (Star)

For the diagrams, I used our TikZ feature. (Yes)

Click on the images to see the code I used to generate them. :D
 
MarkFL said:
Yes, your math is all good. (Star)

For the diagrams, I used our TikZ feature. (Yes)

Click on the images to see the code I used to generate them. :D

I will check out Tikz feature. Does it also apply to cell phones?
 
RTCNTC said:
I will check out Tikz feature. Does it also apply to cell phones?
As far as I know, but I don't use any mobile devices so I can't tell you for sure. :)
 
MarkFL said:
As far as I know, but I don't use any mobile devices so I can't tell you for sure. :)
I want to thank you for being so attentive to my questions and for not passing judgement like a few others do. I joined this site to help me become a better math person. I enjoy math. I love precalculus.

Math helps me forget about the problems of life. I help elementary school students with math homework online and through in-person tutoring when time allows. I also help middle school students. It is because of websites like this one that I feel my math skills have greatly increased. I have more work to do in terms of word problems but one section at a time.
 

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