SOLUTION: Hello! I'm a ninth grader who needs help with graphing functions with absolute value. For instance, the first problem in my Algebra II/Trigonometry homework is: f(x) = |x| I

Algebra ->  Absolute-value -> SOLUTION: Hello! I'm a ninth grader who needs help with graphing functions with absolute value. For instance, the first problem in my Algebra II/Trigonometry homework is: f(x) = |x| I      Log On


   

Question 359211: Hello! I'm a ninth grader who needs help with graphing functions with absolute value. For instance, the first problem in my Algebra II/Trigonometry homework is:
f(x) = |x|
I already understand what a function is, as well as the absolute value, it's just my teacher didn't explain very thoroughly on how to graph them. I'd be very grateful if you were able to give me a step-by-step explanation on how to graph this problem. Thank you so much in advance for voluntarily helping students like me.
Sincerely,
sunshine2739
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
abs%28x%29=x when x%3E=0
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graph%28300%2C300%2C-10%2C10%2C-10%2C10%2Cx%29
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abs%28x%29=-x when x%3C0
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graph%28300%2C300%2C-10%2C10%2C-10%2C10%2C-x%29
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Now put those two together,
f%28x%29=abs%28x%29
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graph%28300%2C300%2C-10%2C10%2C-10%2C10%2Cabs%28x%29%29
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The key is the argument (inside the absolute value brackets).
Make sure you understand how to find up the limits.
So if the function is,
abs%282x%2B4%29=%282x%2B4%29 when 2x%2B4%3E=0
abs%282x%2B4%29=2x%2B4 when 2x%3E=4
abs%282x%2B4%29=2x%2B4 when x%3E=2
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abs%282x%2B4%29=-%282x%2B4%29 when 2x%2B4%3C0
abs%282x%2B4%29=-2x-4 when x%3C2
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graph%28300%2C300%2C-10%2C10%2C-10%2C10%2Cabs%282x-4%29%29