2.

5 Absolute Value
Functions and Graphs

Graphing Absolute Value Functions

 Absolute Value Functions
An absolute value function is a function with
an absolute value as part of the equation

f(x) = |mx + b|
Graphs of absolute value equations have two
special properties:
a) a vertex
b) they look like angles
Absolute Value Functions

Vertex point where the

graph changes direction
 Finding the Vertex
For an equation y = |mx + b| + c,

vertex = -b , c
m
Example: Find the vertex of y = |4x + 2| - 3
 Finding the Vertex
For an equation y = |mx + b| + c,

vertex = -b , c
m
Example: Find the vertex of y = |4x + 2| - 3
Answer: = -2 , -3
4
= -1 , -3
2
 Absolute Value Functions
Steps to graphing an absolute value
function

1. Find the vertex

2. Write two linear equations and find slope
3. Use slope to plot points, connect the
dots
 Absolute Value Functions
Example 1:
Graph y = |3x + 12|.
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex
y = |3x + 12|
m= -b = c=
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex
y = |3x + 12|
m=3 -b = -12 c=0
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex
y = |3x + 12|

m=3 -b = -12 c=0

vertex = -b , c
m

vertex = -12 , 0
3

vertex = (-4, 0)
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex
vertex = (-4, 0)
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 2: Write two linear equations and
find slope.

y = |3x + 12|
Positive Negative
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 2: Write two linear equations and
find slope.

y = |3x + 12|

Positive Negative
y = 3x + 12 y = -3x 12

m1 = m2 =
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-4, 0)

m1 = 3

m2 = -3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-4, 0)

m1 = 3

m2 = -3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-4, 0)

m1 = 3

m2 = -3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-4, 0)

m1 = 3

m2 = -3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-4, 0)

m1 = 3

m2 = -3
 Absolute Value Functions
Example 2:
Graph y = |3x + 6| - 2
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex
y = |3x + 6| - 2
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex
y = |3x + 6| - 2

m = 3 -b = -6 c = -2

vertex = (-6/3, -2)

= (-2, -2)
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 1: Find the vertex

vertex = (-2, -2)

 Absolute Value Functions
Step 2: Write two linear equations and
find slope
y = |3x + 6| - 2

Positive Negative
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 2: Write two linear equations and
find slope
y = |3x + 6| - 2

Positive Negative
y + 2 = 3x + 6 y + 2 = -3x 6
y = 3x + 4 y = -3x 8
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 2: Write two linear equations and
find slope
y = |3x + 6| - 2

Positive Negative
y + 2 = 3x + 6 y + 2 = -3x 6
y = 3x + 4 y = -3x 8

m = 3 m = -3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-2, -2)

m1 = -3

m2 = 3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-2, -2)

m1 = -3

m2 = 3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-2, -2)

m1 = -3

m2 = 3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-2, -2)

m1 = -3

m2 = 3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-2, -2)

m1 = -3

m2 = 3
 Absolute Value Functions
Step 3: Use the slope to plot points

vertex = (-2, -2)

m1 = -3

m2 = 3