Do Now

Make a table for 2 x 2 and draw the

graph of:

y = 2x+1 + 3
(Problem #1 from todays packet)

-10

-5

-2

-4

-6

10

Absolute Value Functions

Absolute value functions are functions
that contain absolute value in their
equations.

The most basic absolute value function is:

y = |x|

First Well Graph a Similar Equation

The line y = x
6

-5

-2

-4

-6

Lets Compare Tables

y=x
x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y = |x|
x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y = |x|

Lets See What Happens On The Graph

6

-5

-2

-4

-6

Adding a Coefficient Inside

y = |x|
x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y
3
2
1
0
1
2
3

y = |2x|
x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y = |2x|

-5

-2

-4

-6

The graph gets steeper on both sides and closer to its line of symmetry.

In Your Calculator
Lets look at:

y = |4x|
y=|

1
2

x|

y = | 2x|
y = |2x|
x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y
6
4
2
0
2
4
6

y = | 2x|
x
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3

y = | 2x|

The graph of the absolute value function

takes the shape of a V.

What are some observations that

you can make about these graphs?

1. As the coefficient of x gets larger, the graph becomes

steeper, closer to its line of symmetry.
2. As the coefficient of x gets smaller, the graph
becomes less steep, further from its line of symmetry.
3. If the coefficient of x is negative, the graph is the
same as if that coefficient were positive. Absolute value
changes negative values to positive values.

Notice that the graphs of these absolute value

functions are on or above the x-axis. Absolute
value always yields answers which are positive or zero.

In Your Calculator
Lets look at:

y = |x| + 3
y = |x| 5

Challenge
See if you can shift the graph right or left by
adding or subtracting a number from
somewhere else in the equation.

y = |x + 3|
y = |x 5|

Summary
Adding or subtracting a number outside the
absolute value shifts the graph up or down.

Adding or subtracting a number inside the

absolute value shifts the graph right or left.