Mathematics
Thomas Matthews
David Houinato
April 14, 2025
Modulus (Absolute Value) Investigation
For this mathematics report, I will be investigating the effect when a modulus is used on the graphing
equation f(x) = x^2 - a and the differences between the original and the one with the modulus f(x) = | x^2 -
a |. I will investigate this and the effect of the modulus on the graphing equation of a quadratic function,
or parabola, f(x) = |ax^2 + bx + c|. And the difference it has from the normal quadratic function equation:
f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c. I will be using the graphing calculator Desmos to provide an image representation of
the equation.
The modulus function is such that any value within the modulus |x| is turned positive. Meaning |-x| = x
and |x| = x.
I will commence with the equation f(x) = x^2 - a. I will replace a with 1 and keep the x positive. making
the equation f(x) = x^2 - 1 this. In Fig. 1 we see that the graph looks like a normal parabola with its vertex
at y = -1, which is determined by a (-1). And its roots sit at 1 and -1. This is because if you expand the
equation f(x) = x^2 - 1 and make it equal to 0, you will get. 0 = (x+1)(x-1). And the possibilities for x are
1 and -1, which are the x-coordinates for the roots.
Fig 1 (f(x) = x^2 - 1) Fig 1.2 ( f(x) = |x^2 - 1| )
Now when the modulus is added to that equation ranging from the x^2 to the constant (a); f(x) = |x^2 - 1|.
Keeping the x positive means the modulus will only affect the (a), which determines the y of the vertex
point, meaning the vertex would go to positive 1 as seen in Figure 1.2. The roots are kept the same while
the rest of the line below the roots reflects up. This is interesting as you think the equation would become
f(x) = x^2 + 1. This is not the case, as that equation looks like Figure 1.3. Meaning the modulus is only
affecting the constant after the expansion of the equation due to the roots being the same. This would
mean the expansion would have to be the same as f(x) = x^2 - 1 with the roots still being -1, 0, and 1, 0.
This is the same situation when the a becomes 2 and 4. As shown in Fig. 1.4 (a = 2) and Fig. 1.5 (a = 4).
Fig 1.3 ( f(x) = x^2 + 1 ) Fig 1.4 ( f(x) = x^2 - 2 )
Fig 1.5
Now I will investigate the changes in the graph when I make the coefficient negative (f(x) =
|-x^2 - a|). I will keep my original the same with 1 representing the equation f(x) = |-x^2 - 1| is shown in
Fig 2. This is interesting as it looks identical to Fig 1.3 (f(x) = x^2 + 1 ). This is because when you
expand f(x) = -|x^2 - 1| and make it equal to 0, you get 0 = -(x^2+1), which has no possibility of equating
to 0, meaning that the equation has no roots and the vertex is at 0, 1. f(x) = |-x^2 - 1| = f(x) = x^2 + 1.
This follows the modulus rules, as all values are positive now.
Fig 2 (f(x) = |-x^2 - 1|) Fig 2.2 ( f(x) = -x^2 - 1)
If you remove the modulus and make the equation f(x) = -x^2 - 1, it would be reflected downward as
shown in Fig 2.2. This is not possible with the modulus, as the coefficient of x being negative or positive
determines whether the parabola is facing upwards or downwards. And since the modulus does not allow
for negative values, it will stay facing upwards.
The value of the x also determines how much the parabola stretches, so if the value is higher, it will get
steeper. As shown in the difference between Fig. 2.3 (coefficient = 2) and 2.4 (coefficient = 4). With the
knowledge that the modulus makes all values positive, it means that any parabola wouldn’t expand past
1/∞ or won't go into the negatives.
Fig 2.3 ( y=2x^2 -1) Fig 2.4 (y=4x^2 -1)
Now I will investigate the changes when the modulus is in the equation f(x) = ax^2 + bx - c. First I will
substitute a, b, and c with 1 and graph it. Shown in Figure 3, the line has a y-intercept of -1, which is
determined by the value (c). Its vertex is located at (-0.5, -1.25) vertex is found by turning the equation
into vertex form (y = a(x-h)^2 + k). Where -h is the x coordinate and k is the y coordinate of the location.
By completing the square, we can transform the equation from f(x) = x^2 + x - 1 into f(x)= (x+½)^2 ² -
5/4, making the coordinate of the vertex (-½, -5/4) = -½ = -0.5 and -5/4 = -1.25. As well as paired with
roots that are located at (-1.61803, 0) and (0.61803, 0), respectively.
Fig 3 (f(x) = x^2 + x + 1) Fig 3.2 (f(x)=|x^2 + 1x - 1|
Fig. 3.2 is what the graph looks like when you apply the modulus on the equation. The equation reflects
up past the root points with the new vertex now being (-0.5, 1.25). When graphing an equation with a y =
and using the rule of the absolute value. The absolute value ensures that anything that would be -y
becomes positive y, and the x-axis isn't affected unless using an x = equation, meaning the -1.25 y-axis
becomes a positive 1.25. This is the same situation in Fig. 3.3 with the equation f(x)=|x^2 + 1x - 2|.
Where the vertex is at (-0.5, 2.25), whereas the original equation without the modulus has a vertex located
at (-0.5, 2.25), as shown in Fig. 3.4.
Fig 3.3 (f(x)=|x^2 + 1x - 2|) Fig 3.4 (f(x)=x^2 + 1x - 2)
To conclude my investigation. The modulus function alters the graph significantly by ensuring all
y-values are positive; this transformation results in the reflection of any portion of a line below the x-axis.
creating a mirror image above the axis.
For equations in the form f(x) = |x^2 - a| The modulus affects the vertex, altering its y-coordinate to the
opposite positive value while keeping the roots the same. When the coefficient of x² is negative (e.g., f(x)
= |-x^2 - a|), the parabola faces upwards, and the graph is identical to f(x) = x^2 + a, as the modulus
makes all values positive.
In quadratic functions like f(x) = |ax^2 + bx + c|, the modulus reflects the part of the graph below the
x-axis, changing the y-coordinate of the vertex to its opposite positive value and forming a new vertex
above the x-axis.
All in all, the modulus function transforms graphs by forcing non-negative y-values, making reflections
and changes in the shape and position of features like the vertices and the intercepts.