When setting up the spreadsheet to explore "c", assign a set value for "a", "b" and "d". Form several different columns: The first column contains values for "x". The following columns calculate the corresponding "y" values for the equation. Each column represents the equation with a different "c" value. Create a graph of the corresponding functions.

What affect do the different "c" values have on the function?

Set a=1, b=1 d=0. This forms the simplest of the equation for evaluation.

When a = b = 1 and d = 0, the resulting function is y = |x+c|.
In the second column of the spreadsheet set c = 0 recreating the base function y = |x| .In the third column of the spreadsheet set c = 1 forming the base function y = |x+1|.
In the following columns assign several different values to "c". Include negative values for investigation also.


What do you notice about the table of values?

 

This time the table of values differs from the previous tables. Notice that "c" and "-c" do not produce corresponding "x" and "y" values. Adding "c" consistently increases the corresponding "y" value slightly. Adding "-c" consistently decreases the corresponding "y" value slightly.


What affect does this have on the graph of the function?

The value of "c" changes the "x" intercept" of the function. Positive values for "c" move the intercept in a negative direction to the left. Negative values for "c" move the intercept in a positive direction to the right. This movement is the reason for the change in the table of values.

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