Q. Which graph represents the function \(h(x) = 5.5\lvert x\rvert\)?
Answer
\(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\)
The vertex is at \((0,0)\).
For \(x\ge 0\), the function becomes \(h(x)=5.5x\).
For \(x\le 0\), the function becomes \(h(x)=-5.5x\).
The graph is a V-shape centered at the origin. The right side has slope \(5.5\), and the left side has slope \(-5.5\). This graph is steeper than \(y=\lvert x\rvert\).
Detailed Explanation
- Write the given function and recognize its basic type.We are given the function
\[
h(x)=5.5|x|.
\]
This is an absolute value function (a V-shaped graph) multiplied by the constant 5.5.What to do: Identify this as a vertical scaling of the basic absolute value function f(x)=|x|.
- Express h(x) as a piecewise linear function to see each branch.Recall that |x| can be written piecewise. Therefore
\[
h(x)=5.5|x|=\begin{cases}
5.5x & \text{if } x\ge 0,\\[6pt]
-5.5x & \text{if } x<0.
\end{cases}
\]What to do: Use the piecewise form to identify the two straight-line branches of the graph: one for x≥0 and one for x<0.
- Find the vertex (the corner point) of the V.Because there is no horizontal or vertical shift, the vertex is at the origin. Evaluate:
\[
h(0)=5.5|0|=0.
\]
So the vertex is at (0,0).What to do: Mark the point (0,0) as the vertex of the graph.
- Determine slopes of the two linear arms.From the piecewise form, the right-hand branch (x≥0) is the line y=5.5x, so its slope is 5.5. The left-hand branch (x<0) is the line y=-5.5x, so its slope is -5.5. Both lines pass through the origin.
What to do: Draw two rays from the origin: one going up to the right with slope 5.5 and one going up to the left with slope -5.5.
- Plot a few key points to fix the shape and steepness.Compute values:
\[
h(1)=5.5,\quad h(2)=11,\quad h(-1)=5.5,\quad h(-2)=11.
\]
So the graph passes through (1,5.5), (2,11), (-1,5.5), and (-2,11).What to do: Use these points to verify the correct steepness: the arms are much steeper than the basic y=|x| graph (which would pass through (1,1)).
- State domain, range, intercepts, and transformation from the parent function.Domain: all real numbers, written as (-∞,∞). Range: y≥0, written as [0,∞). The only x- and y-intercept is (0,0). This graph is a vertical stretch of f(x)=|x| by factor 5.5 (no reflection, no shifts).
What to do: Confirm the correct graph shows domain all reals, range starting at 0, and arms steeper by factor 5.5 compared with y=|x|.
- Final identification of the correct graph.The correct graph is the V-shaped absolute value graph with vertex at (0,0), arms given by the lines y=5.5x for x≥0 and y=-5.5x for x<0, passing through (1,5.5) and (-1,5.5). It is a vertical stretch of y=|x| by factor 5.5, so choose the graph whose arms are much steeper than y=|x| and that passes through the points listed.
What to do: From the multiple-choice graphs, select the one that matches these criteria: vertex at the origin, V-shape, slopes ±5.5, and points (±1,5.5).
Graph
Algebra FAQs
What is the general shape of the graph of \(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\)?
What are the piecewise formulas for \(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\)?
What are the domain and range of \(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\)?
Where are the \(x\)- and \(y\)-intercepts?
How does the factor 5.5 affect the graph compared to \(y=\lvert x\rvert\)?
Is \(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\) symmetric? If so, about what?
How do I quickly sketch \(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\) by hand?
Is \(h(x)=5.5\lvert x\rvert\) a linear function?.
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