Absolute Value Function (How to Graph)

Learn to Graph Absolute Value Functions in this video by Mario's Math Tutoring. We discuss how to graph the parent function as well as transformations such as stretching, compressing, reflecting and shifting absolute value functions. We discuss the more general form of the equation of an absolute value function and go through 3 examples.

0:29 What is the Absolute Value Function
1:00 How to Graph Parent Function for Absolute Value Function
1:50 More General Form of the Absolute Value Function
1:55 Discussion of Transformations of Absolute Value Function
2:41 Graph y=-2|x-1|+4
4:12 Graph y=(1/3)|x+2| - 1
5:24 How to Find the Domain and Range of Absolute Value Graphs

Related Videos:

Shifting, Stretching, Reflecting Parent Functions

Learn Algebra 1 Lesson by Lesson in my "Learn Algebra 1" video course for sale. 87 Lessons teaching you step by step Algebra 1. Check out the 13 free lessons(1 from each chapter)

Looking to raise your math score on the ACT and new SAT?
Check out my Huge ACT Math Video Course and my Huge SAT Math Video Course for sale at

For online 1-to-1 tutoring or more information about me see my website at:

* Organized List of My Video Lessons to Help You Raise Your Scores & Pass Your Class. Videos Arranged by Math Subject as well as by Chapter/Topic. (Bookmark the Link Below)

[abigailelliott]

Thank you so much!! I was having such a hard time with this. My teacher didn't even explain it, she just gave us notes to look at.

[gatchahumandisabled]

Sitting here watching this and you just told us that the absolute value is always positive but I put a negative for an absolute value. My teacher also gave us the homework to graph and explain how translations of these functions are, and never showed us how to graph which really frustrated me. I learned parabola from another video and then I ran into this one for absolute value. Helps me a ton!

[saltyk]

Thanks so much this helped a lot! I have a question - When would you do a horizontal stretch/compression?

[lluvizakuiper]

i was studying for a midterm and didnt get how you stretch vertically or compress and now i understand thankss😁

[mavr]

I stopped crying because of you, thank you

[angelinam]

teaching me more in 3 minutes than my teacher has these past 3 weeks

[mahmut]

Thank too much for your efforts!
I wanna know something is there a specific playlist for SAT Math because there are many videos and playlists and have many videos and i just want the videos of SAT only 😄

[alexisvrse]

disapointed that it cut off on exmple 2

[donaldtrumpet]

f(x) = |x|
Just means, |x|
The f(x), is just stating what the function of x is.
e.g: Orange is the Function when you get a number 3. So, when ever you have/encounter a number 3, it is associated with the color Orange.

I would write this, f(3)= Orange, or f(Orange) = 3.
When you see, f(x)=|x|, it's stating that there is a function for x, and that the function is that x may be negative or positive.

In another example, f(x) = x+2
I stated that there is a function of x, or simply that x has a function, and that the function is 'whenever/wherever there is an x, it must be added 2.

|x| means that, for whatever x is/may be, its absolute value is to be taken/used.

So, when x equals 3, it must be equal to its absolute value. If x were -3, the absolute value would/needs to be used.

That's all it is.
'f(x)=' simply means 'the function of x is as follows', and '|x|' just represents what the function is.

[colemanlewis]

If the x is multiplied by a number, for example 4x instead of x, how does it affect the graph?

[stevejoe]

Towards the end, why go down 2 and right one. I understand all movements besides a...

[hdajqey]

hyo why cant Mr T teach us like this so that i dont need to watch youtube to learn!