How to Find the Vertex and Axis of Symmetry for Absolute Value Graphs

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This instructional video provides a clear, step-by-step tutorial on how to determine the vertex and axis of symmetry for absolute value functions. The narrator demonstrates both algebraic and graphical methods, starting with basic examples and progressing to more complex equations. Viewers learn the fundamental technique of setting the expression inside the absolute value bars to zero to find the axis of symmetry, and then substituting that value back into the equation to find the vertex's y-coordinate. The video explores key themes in Algebra and pre-calculus, specifically focusing on the properties of absolute value graphs. It covers the general shape of these functions (the "V" shape), how to determine if the graph opens upward or downward based on the sign of the leading coefficient, and the relationship between the algebraic equation and its visual representation on a coordinate plane. The tutorial concludes by generalizing these concepts into the standard vertex form equation. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for scaffolding lessons on functions and transformations. It is particularly useful for visual learners who benefit from seeing the connection between algebraic manipulation and graphical outcomes. Teachers can use this video to introduce the topic, reinforce homework concepts, or help students self-remediate when struggling with function transformations. The clear handwriting and paced explanation make it easy to pause and practice alongside the narrator.