How do you graph #y = -abs(x+10)#?

1 Answer
Apr 2, 2015

First, lets remember the absolute value operator:

#AAc in RR# (for every element #c# in the real numbers set)

#if c>=0, abs(c) = c#

#if c<0, abs(c) = -c#

When graphing an absolute value operator, there are actually #2# graphs. Because the absolute value operation behaves in #2# different ways related to its input.

So we need to find the critical point of the absolute value. This means, we need to find the exact value of #x# where the greater values will result the output as is and the smaller values will result the output as negated.

Now it is obvious that #0# is the critical point of the absolute value operation.

To find the critical point in this problem:

#x+10=0#

#x=-10#

When #x# is greater than #-10# the input will be positive. When smaller, it will be negative.

Now we are ready to graph the line.

When #x>=-10#, #y = - (x+10) = -x - 10#

When #x<-10#, #y = - (-1) * (x+10) = x + 10#

The graph will look like this:

graph{y = - abs(x+10) [-20, 10, -5, 5]}

Why there is no positive #y#? Remember the conditions while graphing the lines. (#x>=10# and #x<-10#) When you try to plug some values of #x# you will see that there is no chance for #y# to be positive.