How do you graph y=abs(x+1) using a table?

1 Answer
Dec 20, 2017

See explanation.

Explanation:

You really only need three points to graph an absolute value equation from a table: the vertex and then a point to the left and another to the right. I usually make those two points equidistant from the vertex.

To find the x-coordinate of the vertex take whatever is in the absolute value, set it equal to zero, and solve.

x+1=0\rightarrow x=-1.

So for my table I'll use x=-1, x=0, and x=-2, because 0 and -2 are both 1 unit from -1. We put them in order in the table:

x=-2\rightarrow y=|-2+1|=|-1|=1
x=-1\rightarrow y=|-1+1|=0
x=0\rightarrow y=|0+1|=1

Now plot the points and connect them with the correct shape (a V with the vertex at (-1,0)).