1.

4 – Absolute Value Functions

– absolute value (of a number) → the __________________________________ on a number line
▪ If a is any real number, then ___________ and __________
▪ For example, | 4 | = ________ and |– 4| = _________ because
▪ The absolute value (distance/length) will always be a _______________ number

– absolute value function → a function that contains an _________________________ within their rules
and when evaluating treat absolute value symbol like a _______________ as follow order of operations

Example 1: Evaluate each function.

a.) If given f ( x)  3 x  2  1 , find f (– 3) b.) If given h( x)  2 5 x  6 , find h (– 1)

The Absolute Function and Its Graph

f (x) = | x | Describe the shape of graph: _________

Vertex of the graph: __________
Domain of graph: ____________
Range of graph: _____________
What other function is this graph very
similar to? Explain.
_______________________________
Does absolute value function have an
inverse function? Explain.
________________________________

General Form of Absolute Function Transformations of Absolute Value Functions

General Form of
Absolute Value Function:
____________________________
Vertex: _____________
Vertical Translations:
• If k > 0, translate _____ k units
• If k < 0, translate _____ k units
Vertical Stretch/Compressions:
• If a > 1, is ________________
• If 0 < a < 1, is _____________
Horizontal Translations:
• If h > 0, translate ______ h units
• If h < 0, translate ______ h units
Note: Watch your signs!
Reflections:
• If a < 0, is __________________

© Copyrighted by Jocelyn Thammavong (Mrs. T’s Math Recipes) – 2021

Example 2: Graph and state the domain & range of each absolute value function.
a.) f (x) = |x + 4| – 5 b.) f (x) = 2 |x – 2| + 3 c.) f (x) = – |x – 6| – 2
transformations: __________ transformations: __________ transformations: __________
vertex: _________ vertex: _________ vertex: _________

D: __________ R: _________ D: __________ R: _________ D: __________ R: _________

Example 3: Write an absolute value function given a graph.

a.) b.)

© Copyrighted by Jocelyn Thammavong (Mrs. T’s Math Recipes) – 2021