Absolute Value

Graphing

Example 2

Graph y = - IxI.

Step 1. Determine the vertex of the equation.

The (h, k) of the equation, (0, 0), will be the vertex of the graph.

Step 2. Determine the a-value of the equation.

Since the a-value of the equation is -1, the slope of the line to the right of the vertex is -1 and the slope of the line to the left of the vertex is +1.

Step 3. Make a graph of the equation.

GraphingAbsValEx2

*Note: the graph is a reflection over the x -axis of the graph of y = | x |, this is because of the (-) sign before the | x |. All of the y-values will be negative.