Graph each equation

Question

y=|x+4|-2

Answer 1

Hello, Meeka

 

You know that a graph of an absolute value equation will look like a big letter V.  The vertex of this parabola will be at (-4,-2).  Now, what you need to do first is create a function table.  You do this by choosing various values for x and plugging these values into the inequality. So, I am going to choose, -6, -5, -4, -3, -2 as my v values.  Remember, you can choose any x values you want.  The only problem is that you might not get a graph that looks like a V.   

 

Again, I will use -6,-5,-4,-3,-2 for x since I already know that this will look like a nice V.

 

|-6+4| -2 = 0    (-6,0)

|-5+4| -2 = -1   (-5,-1)

|-4+4|-2 = -2.   (-4, -2)

|-3+4| -2 = -1    (-3, -1)

|-2+4| -2 = 0     (-2, 0)

 

All I am doing is adding the numbers inside the absolute value symbol, and since we know that absolute value cannot be negative, what ever answer you get for the absolute value portion of the function must be positive. Example |-6 +4|= |-2| = 2.

 

Now, Meeka, all you have to do is plot the points on the coordinate plane.  Let me say it again, if you choose values for x that are close the the vertex of the absolute value graph, then you will get a nice letter V. If not, you might get something that looks like a check mark or just a line.  If you get those, you have to keep choosing different values for x.

 

Good luck.

D.Y. T