The inequality $-1 \leq x \leq 5$ can be represented as an absolute value inequality by first observing the midpoint of the interval $[-1, 5]$. The midpoint is:

$\frac{-1 + 5}{2} = 2$

This means that the interval is symmetric around $x = 2$, with a total length of $6$. The absolute value inequality that describes all values of $x$ within 3 units (half of the total length) of $2$ is:

$|x - 2| \leq 3$

This inequality describes all values of $x$ that are at most 3 units away from 2, which matches the range $[-1, 5]$.

Would you like a more detailed explanation or have any further questions?

Here are some related questions you might find useful:

1. How can you solve absolute value inequalities?
2. What is the geometric interpretation of an absolute value inequality?
3. How would you solve $|x - a| \leq b$ for specific values of $a$ and $b$?
4. How does an absolute value inequality differ from a regular inequality?
5. Can absolute value inequalities have no solution?

Tip: When solving absolute value inequalities, consider splitting the inequality into two cases based on the definition of absolute value.