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)#).