# Confused . y=x-|x|

1. Feb 19, 2008

### mikebc

confused ..... y=x-|x|

The problem is to graph this equation y=x-|x|.

From what I understand of absolute values, this x would be positive. If it is positive then y=0 and there would be no points to graph. Is there something that I am missing? The question is worth 4 points, so I can't see the answer just being 0. Thanks for any suggestions.

2. Feb 19, 2008

### D H

Staff Emeritus
What happens when x is negative?

3. Feb 19, 2008

### dranseth

What I was taught to do when dealing with absolute value, is to rewrite the equation so that the absolute value is isolated, then find the 2 equations.

so you'll have:
x=x-y
y=o

and also:
x=-x+y
2x=y

4. Feb 19, 2008

### mikebc

The absolute value of -x would be x. But I remember with inequalities there are 2 possible answers with absolute value (-,+). From what you are explaining it sounds like that is what you are saying to do, use both possible values. Then I would graph by beginning with y at 0 and continue by substituting values into 2x=y? That seems to make sense to me. Thank you both for your help!

5. Feb 19, 2008

### K.J.Healey

Also just try plugging in some numbers:
For 2 -> Y = 2 - |2| = 0
For -2 - > Y = -2 -|-2| = -2 -2 = -4
see?
So for negatives you have Y = 2X, X<0

6. Feb 19, 2008

### symbolipoint

Solve or graph y = x - |x|.

If x>0, then y = x - x, meaning y=0.

If x<0, then y = x - (-x) [ notice those are parentheses, not absolute value notation symbols ], meaning y = x + x = 2x.

7. Feb 19, 2008

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Surely you didn't mean to say that! x itself can be any number. |x| is always positive (or 0- don't forget that!

Why did you switch to x=? If x$\ge 0$ y= x- x= 0. The graph is just the x axis from x= 0 to the right.

If x< 0, don't forget that. Then y= x- (-x)= 2x.

No, no, no! |-x|= |x| which may be eigther x or -x depending upon what x is.

Draw the graph of y= 2x, to the left of x= 0. To the right, the graph is just y= 0, the x-axis.

8. Feb 19, 2008

### dranseth

I rearranged the formula to isolate the absolute value.

9. Feb 19, 2008

### mikebc

Wow, you guys couldn't have made it any more clear for me. Thanks alot!