Ignoring the axis of symmetry

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 25 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the graph of a function is a visual representation of the relationship between the input and output values of the function. When dealing with absolute value functions, the graph can be more complex due to the presence of the absolute value term. In this article, we will explore the graph of the function $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ , where $h$ and $k$ are both positive.

What is the Absolute Value Function?

The absolute value function is a mathematical function that returns the distance of a number from zero on the number line. It is denoted by the symbol $|x|$ and is defined as:

|x| = \begin{cases} x, & \text{if } x \geq 0 \\ -x, & \text{if } x < 0 \end{cases}

The absolute value function has a V-shaped graph, with the vertex at the origin (0, 0).

The Graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$

When we add a constant $k$ to the absolute value function, the graph shifts upward by $k$ units. This is because the absolute value function is always non-negative, so adding a positive constant $k$ will only shift the graph upward.

When we subtract a constant $h$ from the input $x$ , the graph shifts to the right by $h$ units. This is because the absolute value function is symmetric about the y-axis, so subtracting a positive constant $h$ will only shift the graph to the right.

Properties of the Graph

The graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ has several properties that are worth noting:

Vertex: The vertex of the graph is at the point $(h, k)$ .
Axis of Symmetry: The axis of symmetry of the graph is the vertical line $x = h$ .
Intercepts: The graph has two x-intercepts at $x = h - k$ and $x = h + k$ .
Asymptotes: The graph has no asymptotes.

Examples of Graphs

Here are a few examples of graphs of the function $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ :

Example 1: If $h = 2$ and $k = 3$ , the graph of $f(x) = |x - 2| + 3$ is a V-shaped graph with the vertex at the point $(2, 3)$ .
Example 2: If $h = 4$ and $k = 2$ , the graph of $f(x) = |x - 4| + 2$ is a V-shaped graph with the vertex at the point $(4, 2)$ .

Conclusion

In conclusion, the graph of the function $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ is a V-shaped graph with the vertex at the point $(h, k)$ . The graph has several properties, including a vertex, axis of symmetry, intercepts, and asymptotes. By understanding these properties, we can visualize the graph of the function and make predictions about its behavior.

Applications of the Graph

The graph of the function $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ has several applications in mathematics and other fields. Some examples include:

Mathematics: The graph of the function can be used to model real-world phenomena, such as the distance between two points or the absolute value of a quantity.
Physics: The graph of the function can be used to model the motion of an object, such as the distance traveled by an object over time.
Engineering: The graph of the function can be used to design and optimize systems, such as the distance between two points in a mechanical system.

Final Thoughts

Q: What is the vertex of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ ?

A: The vertex of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ is at the point $(h, k)$ .

Q: What is the axis of symmetry of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ ?

A: The axis of symmetry of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ is the vertical line $x = h$ .

Q: What are the x-intercepts of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ ?

A: The x-intercepts of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ are at $x = h - k$ and $x = h + k$ .

Q: Does the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ have any asymptotes?

A: No, the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ does not have any asymptotes.

Q: How does the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ change when $h$ and $k$ are both positive?

A: When $h$ and $k$ are both positive, the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ is a V-shaped graph with the vertex at the point $(h, k)$ .

Q: Can the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ be used to model real-world phenomena?

A: Yes, the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ can be used to model real-world phenomena, such as the distance between two points or the absolute value of a quantity.

Q: What are some applications of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ in mathematics and other fields?

A: Some applications of the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ include:

Mathematics: The graph of the function can be used to model real-world phenomena, such as the distance between two points or the absolute value of a quantity.
Physics: The graph of the function can be used to model the motion of an object, such as the distance traveled by an object over time.
Engineering: The graph of the function can be used to design and optimize systems, such as the distance between two points in a mechanical system.

Q: How can I visualize the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ ?

A: You can visualize the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ by plotting the function on a coordinate plane. You can also use graphing software or online tools to visualize the graph.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ ?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ include:

Confusing the vertex with the x-intercepts: Make sure to identify the vertex and x-intercepts correctly.
Ignoring the axis of symmetry: Make sure to identify the axis of symmetry correctly.
Not considering the properties of the graph: Make sure to consider the properties of the graph, such as the vertex, axis of symmetry, and x-intercepts.

Q: How can I apply the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ to real-world problems?

A: You can apply the graph of $f(x) = |x - h| + k$ to real-world problems by:

Modeling distance and absolute value: Use the graph to model the distance between two points or the absolute value of a quantity.
Analyzing motion: Use the graph to analyze the motion of an object, such as the distance traveled by an object over time.
Designing and optimizing systems: Use the graph to design and optimize systems, such as the distance between two points in a mechanical system.