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What best describes the graph of y = -|x+1| - 5

What best describes the graph of y = -|x+1| - 5-example-1
User Louis Saglio
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1 Answer

24 votes
24 votes

Answer:

Explanation:

To tackle this problem, you start with the simplest function y = |x| (the absolute value of x). This is a function that turns any negative number into a positive number while positive numbers stay positive.

For example, if x = -1, you would get y = 1.

Or if you have a x = -10, you would get y = 10.

Now let's say you have a positive number x = 5, then you'd also get a positive number y = 5.

That's why the graph of y = |x| is a V shaped graph that has the vertex at (0,0) which opens upwards. (see the attached photo1)

Now let's find out what happens when we change the function of y = |x| into y = |x+1|.

What happens is that the graph of the old function gets shifted 1 unit to the left. Thus the new vertex will be moved to (-1,0). (see the attached photo2)

Now let's see what happens when we put a negative sign to the function so it becomes y = -|x+1|.

Putting a negative sign on front of the function is equivalent by multiplying the function by -1 which makes your old positive y values turn into negative y values. That is why you'll see the new graph to be flipped (reflected) via the x-axis. Which means the V will now open downwards. (see the attached photo3)

Now let's find out what happens when we subtract 5 to the function so it becomes y = -|x+1| - 5.

Subtracting 5 to the function shifts the graph 5 units downwards. Hence the new vertex will now be placed at (-1,-5). (see the attached photo4)

Therefore the answer is the 4th choice which is:

a V shaped graph with vertex at (-1,-5), which points down.

- Ginno Pineda

What best describes the graph of y = -|x+1| - 5-example-1
What best describes the graph of y = -|x+1| - 5-example-2
What best describes the graph of y = -|x+1| - 5-example-3
What best describes the graph of y = -|x+1| - 5-example-4
User Howl
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