his is a step by step tutorial on how to graph functions with absolute value. Properties of the graph of these functions such as domain, range, x and y intercepts are also discussed. Free graph paper is available.
Example 1: f is a function given by
f (x) = |x - 2|
Find the x and y intercepts of the graph of f.
Find the domain and range of f.
Sketch the graph of f.
Solution to Example 1
a - The y intercept is given by
(0 , f(0)) = (0 ,|-2|) = (0 , 2)
The x coordinate of the x intercepts is equal to the solution of the equation
|x - 2| = 0
which is
x = 2
The x intercepts is at the point (2 , 0)
b - The domain of f is the set of all real numbers
Since |x - 2| is either positive or zero for x = 2; the range of f is given by the interval [0 , +infinity).
c - To sketch the graph of f(x) = |x - 2|, we first sketch the graph of y = x - 2 and then take the absolute value of y.
The graph of y = x - 2 is a line with x intercept (2 , 0) and y intercept (0 , -2). (see graph below)
We next use the definition of the absolute value to graph f(x) = |x - 2| = | y |.
If y >= 0 then | y | = y , if y <0 then | y | = -y.
For values of x for which y is positive, the graph of | y | is the same
as that of y = x - 2. For values of x for which y is negative, the graph
of | y | is a reflection on the x axis of the graph of y. The graph of y
= x - 2 above has y negative on the interval (-infinity , 2) and it is
this part of the graph that has to be reflected on the x axis. (see
graph below).
Check
that the range is given by the interval [0 , +infinity), the domain is
the set of all real numbers, the y intercept is at (0 , 2) and the x
intercept at (2, 0).
Example 2: f is a function given by
f (x) = |(x - 2)2 - 4|
Find the x and y intercepts of the graph of f.
Find the domain and range of f.
Sketch the graph of f.
Solution to Example 2
a - The y intercept is given by
(0 , f(0)) = (0 ,(-2)2 - 4) = (0 , 0)
The x coordinates of the x intercepts are equal to the solutions of the equation
|(x - 2)2 - 4| = 0
which is solved
(x - 2)2 = 4
Which gives the solutions
x = 0 and x = 4
The x intercepts is at the point (0 , 0) and (4 , 0)
b - The domain of f is the set of all real numbers
Since |(x - 2)2 - 4| is either positive or zero for x = 4 and x = 0; the range of f is given by the interval [0 , +infinity).
c - To sketch the graph of f(x) = |(x - 2)2 - 4|, we first sketch the graph of y = (x - 2)2 - 4 and then take the absolute value of y.
The graph of y = (x - 2)2 - 4 is a parabola with vertex at (2,-4), x intercepts (0 , 0) and (4 , 0) and a y intercept (0 , 0). (see graph below)
The graph of f is given by reflecting on the x axis part of the graph of y = (x - 2)2 - 4 for which y is negative. (see graph below).
More references and links to graphing, graphs and absolute value functions.
