Graphs of Absolute Value Equations

Key Questions

  • What is the shape of an absolute value graph?

    The shape of a graph with an absolute value would look something similar to a "V".

    graph{abs(x) [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

    This graph has a slope of 1 on the right of the y=axis and -1 on the left of the y-axis

    Ben Mai · 1 · Nov 13 2014
  • How do you find a vertex by looking at an absolute value equation?

    y = a abs(x-h)+k has vertex (h, k)

    y = 3 abs(x-1)+5 has vertex (1, 5)

    Jim H · 1 · Apr 23 2015
  • How do you create a table of values for an absolute value equation?

    A table of values is simply a pairing between an input and an output. Absolute value equations can range from very complex to relatively simple -- there are also many theorems and postulates that dictate the behavior of absolute value equations in various circumstances.

    In its purest form, absolute value makes all numbers positive. For instance, y = |x| would result in the positive form of x being the output, whether x is positive or negative. For instance, if x is -5, it would be 5 when it comes out of that equation. Create a table of values like you normally would, but compute values enclosed in absolute value markers as positive.

    Another common form of absolute value equations can be found in a form similar to |a-3| = 5

    Thus:

    |a-3| = 5 would have a values -2 < x < 8

    From there, you can create a table from the values of a.

    If you can update your question with more detail, I may be able to answer it better.

    Chaoyi Z. · 1 · Feb 12 2015
  • How do you graph absolute value equations on a coordinate plane?

    Let's start with a simple one y=|x+2|

    If x> -2, x+2 is positive, so y=|x+2|=x+2
    If x<-2, x+2 is negative, but will be 'turned around' by the abslote signs, so in this domain y=|x+2|=-x-2

    These two semi-graphs meet at (-2,0)
    graph{|x+2| [-10.5, 9.5, -1.08, 8.915]}

    MeneerNask · 1 · Mar 19 2015

Questions

Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value