Use Absolute Value Functions and

Transformations
Objectives:
1.To graph an absolute value function by
performing transformations on the parent
2.To apply transformations to graphing any
function
Building the Absolute Value Function

The absolute value

function is defined by 4

f (x) = |x|.
2

The graph of the absolute

value function is similar -5 5

to the linear parent -2

function, except it must

always be positive.
-4
Building the Absolute Value Function

The absolute value

function is defined by 4

f (x) = |x|.
2

So we just take the

negative portion of the -5 5

graph and reflect it -2

across the x-axis

making that part
-4

positive.
Building the Absolute Value Function

The absolute value

function is defined by 4

f (x) = |x|.
2

This is the absolute value

parent function.
function -5 5

fx = x -2

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Parent Function

• V-shape
• It is symmetric about the y-axis
• The vertex is the minimum point on the
graph
Translation
A translation is a
transformation that
shifts a graph
horizontally or
vertically, but doesn’t
change the overall
shape or orientation.
Translation
The graph of
y = |x – h| + k
is the graph of y = |x|
translated h
horizontal units and y
vertical units.
• The new vertex is at
(h, k)
Stretching and Shrinking
The graph of y = a|x| is graph of y = |x|
vertically stretched or shrunk depending on
the |a|.

The value of a acts like the slope.

Reflection
The graph of y = a|x| is graph of y = |x|
reflected across the x-axis when a < 0.
4 4

fx = - x

2 2

-5 5 -5 5

fx = x -2 -2

-4 -4
Multiple Transformations
• In general, the graph of an absolute value
function of the form a bx  bc  d can involve
translations, reflections, stretches or
compressions.
• To graph an absolute value function, start
by identifying the vertex.  c , d 
 
b 
Graphing Absolute Value Functions

Graphing : a bx  bc  d
c 
1.Plot the vertex  b , d  . (inside the absolute value
symbols the sign means opposite things)

2.Use the a value as slope to plot more

points. Remember you have to do positive and negative slope to
get points on both sides of the V

3.Connect the dots in a V-shape.

Exercise 2

Graph the following functions without making

a table and identify its domain and range.
1. y = |x – 2| + 3 This graph will go right 2 and up 3 so from
the origin go right 2 and up 3. This is the vertex (2, 3). Now from that
point use the positive and negative slope (a = 1 here) to get more
points.
4

-5 5

fx = x -2

-4
Exercise 2
Graph the following functions without making
a table and identify its symmetry.
1.y = (1/2)|x| This function does not have an
“h” or “k” so the vertex is (0, 0). Since a =
½ the slope is ½. Go up 1 and right 2 then
up one and left 2. 4

-5 5

fx = x -2

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Exercise 2
Graph the following functions without making
a table. Identify its line of symmetry and
domain and range.
1.f (x) = -3|x + 1| – 2 This graph will go left 1 and down two
so the vertex will be (-1, -2). Since “a” is negative the graph will open
down. Since the value of “a” is 3 the slope will be 3 and -3 (just
remember to go down.) 4

-5 5

fx = x -2

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