Thread: Functions of absolute value.

Never encountered these with |stuff| in it, not sure how to approach it? Sketch the following.....

Is it just me? But I have no idea what that question is about.

Originally Posted by Plato

Is it just me? But I have no idea what that question is about.

I think the question is asking how to graph those functions.

Originally Posted by bobchiba

Never encountered these with |stuff| in it, not sure how to approach it? Sketch the following.....

|x| is the absolute value function. It is defined as:

|x| = {x for x >= 0} and {-x for x < 0}

The graph of it is what you provided below. Until you gain a certain amount of utility in graphing it I recommend graphing these point by point to get used to it.

-Dan

Originally Posted by bobchiba

Never encountered these with |stuff| in it, not sure how to approach it? Sketch the following.....

use transformations.

the picture you have there is the graph of |x|.

for y = |x - 2|+1 you will shift that graph 1 unit up and 2 units to the right

is the second question |-x| or -|x|?

if it's |-x| it will be exactly the same as |x| the original graph.

if it's -|x|, you would just turn it upside down (that is, reflect it in the x-axis)

again, i'm just applying basic transformation rules, do you know them?


i would recommend drawing them point by point as topsquark says as well, jsut to get used to the concept of absolute value