2-6: Special Functions

Direct Variation: A linear function in the

form y = kx, where k

0
Constant: A linear function in the form
y=b
Identity: A linear function in the form y = x
Absolute Value: A function in the form
y = |mx + b| + c (m 0)
Greatest Integer: A function in the
form y = [x]

Direct Variation Function: A linear

function in the form y = kx, where k 0.
y
6
4

y=2x

2
2
4
6

Constant Function: A linear function in

the form y = b.y
6
4

y=3

2
2
4
6

Identity Function: A linear function in the

form y = x.
y
6
4

y=x

2
2
4
6

Absolute Value Function: A function in the

form y = |mx + b| + c (m 0)
y

Example #1

6
4
2

y=|x - 2|-1
2

2
4
6

The vertex, or
minimum point, is
(2, -1).

Absolute Value Function: A function of the

form y = |mx + b| +c (m 0)
y

Example #2

The vertex, or
maximum point, is
(-1, 0).

4
2

2
2
4
6

y = -|x + 1|

Absolute Value Functions

Graph y = |x| - 3 by completing the t-table:
y
6

xy
2
1
0
1
2

4
2

2
2
4
6

Absolute Value Functions

Graph y = |x| - 3 by completing the t-table:
y

xy
2y =|-2| -3= -1
1y =|-1| -3= -2
0y =|0| -3= -3
1y =|1| -3= -2
2y =|2| -3= -1

6
4
2

2
2
4

The vertex, or minimum point, is

(0, -3).

Greatest Integer Function: A function in the

form y = [x]
Note: [x] means the greatest integeryless than or equal to x. For example,
the largest integer less than or 6equal to -3.5 is -4.
4
2

y=[x]
2

2
4
6

Greatest Integer Function: A function in

the form y = [x]
Graph y= [x] + 2 by completing the t-table:
x
xy

3y=
3 [-3]+2=-1

2.75y=
2.75 [-2.75]+2=-1
2.5y=
2.5 [-2.5]+2=-1
2.25y=
2.25
[-2.25]+2=-1
2y=
2
[-2]+2 =0
1.75y=
1.75 [-1.75]+2=0
1.5
-1.5
y= [-1.5]+2=0
-1.25 y= [-1.25]+2=0
-1
y= [-1]+2=1
0
y= [0]+2=2
1
y= [1]+2=3

6
4
2
6

2
4
6