Final answer:
The value of a in the standard form of the absolute value function f(x) = 3|x| is 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The standard form of an absolute value function is f(x) = a|x - h| + k, where (h, k) is the vertex of the graph and a determines the steepness of the V shape.
In the given function f(x) = 3|x|, we can rewrite it as f(x) = 3|x - 0| + 0, where h = 0 and k = 0. Therefore, the value of a is 3.
So, the correct option is Option 4: 3.