Graphing Absolute Value Equations

Before graphing Y=a|x-h|+k, you have to know the importance of each variable:

• a: tells whether the graph opens up or down; if the coefficient in front of the a is negative then the graph opens down and if it's positive then it opens up.
• h: tells whether the graph moves left or right; if the h is negative then the graph moves to the right and if it's positive then it moves to the left
• k: tells whether the graph moves up or down

*The vertex of the graph is (h,k)
* If there is a negative in front of the absolute value then the graph   will be reflected over the x-axis
*Y=|x+h| moves "h" units to the left
*Y=|x-h| moves "h" units to the right
*Y=|x|+k moves "k" units to the left.
*Y=|x|-k moves "k" units to the right