This is a little difficult...

Graph the Function
y=3 less than the absolute value of x+2

Obviously you cannot show me this on a graph, but I just need help with solving the equation...
Thanks!!!

http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1447261918

To graph the function y = 3 less than the absolute value of x + 2, we can start by examining the equation. The absolute value function can be represented as |x|.

Step 1: First, consider the equation without the 3 subtraction: y = |x + 2|. This represents the absolute value of x + 2.

Step 2: Now, we need to shift the entire graph downward by 3 units since it is "3 less than" the absolute value. So the transformed equation becomes y = |x + 2| - 3.

Step 3: To plot the equation on a graph, we can create a table of values by choosing different values for x and calculating the corresponding values of y.

Let's choose a few values for x and calculate the corresponding y-values:
If x = -5, then y = |(-5) + 2| - 3 = 3 - 3 = 0.
If x = -2, then y = |(-2) + 2| - 3 = 0 - 3 = -3.
If x = 0, then y = |0 + 2| - 3 = 2 - 3 = -1.
If x = 2, then y = |2 + 2| - 3 = 4 - 3 = 1.
If x = 5, then y = |5 + 2| - 3 = 7 - 3 = 4.

Step 4: Plot the points (-5, 0), (-2, -3), (0, -1), (2, 1), and (5, 4) on the graph.

Step 5: Finally, connect the plotted points with a smooth curve. Since the absolute value function is symmetrical, the resulting graph will have a V-shape, with the vertex at (-2, -3) and the arms extending upward and downward.

That's it! You have successfully graphed the function y = 3 less than the absolute value of x + 2.

To graph the function y = 3 less than the absolute value of x + 2, we can start by understanding the behavior of the absolute value function.

The absolute value function, denoted as |x|, gives the distance of a number, x, from zero on a number line. This function always results in a non-negative value.

In the given function, y = 3 less than the absolute value of x + 2, we need to subtract 3 from the absolute value of x + 2. Let's break down the steps to solve this equation:

Step 1: Set up the equation: y = |x + 2| - 3.

Step 2: Replace y with 0 since we want to find the x-intercepts of the graph.

0 = |x + 2| - 3.

Step 3: Isolate the absolute value expression by adding 3 to both sides of the equation.

3 = |x + 2|.

Step 4: Break down the equation into two cases: positive and negative values.

Case 1: (x + 2) ≥ 0

In this case, the absolute value of (x + 2) will be the number itself.

3 = x + 2.

Solve for x:

x = 1.

Case 2: (x + 2) < 0

In this case, the absolute value of (x + 2) will be -(x + 2).

3 = -(x + 2).

Solve for x:

x = -5.

Step 5: Now that we have found the x-intercepts, we can plot these points on a graph.

The x-intercepts are x = 1 and x = -5.

The graph of the equation y = 3 less than the absolute value of x + 2 would have x-intercepts at x = 1 and x = -5. Since we don't have a specific y-value, we cannot determine any other points on the graph. However, we can still understand the behavior of the graph:

- The graph will be a 'V' shape, centered at x = -2.
- The vertex of the graph is at (-2, -3), which is 3 units down from the x-axis.

Note: Without a specific y-value, we cannot fully graph the function or provide a precise shape, but we can identify the key points and general characteristics of the graph.