What type of symmetry does the function y=1/|x| have?

pumicayf

pumicayf

Open question

2022-08-26

Even or Odd symmetry
What type of symmetry does the function y = 1 | x | have? Specify the intervals over which the function is increasing and the intervals where it is decreasing.

Answer & Explanation

hrikalegt15

hrikalegt15

Beginner2022-08-27Added 11 answers

Step 1
Plotting the function is a good way to guess at where the function is going to be increasing or decreasing. Then you can think about why.
Step 2
As you increase x, what is going to happen to 1 | x | ? What happens when x approaches (but does not equal!) 0?
Rocco Juarez

Rocco Juarez

Beginner2022-08-28Added 8 answers

Step 1
Let f ( x ) = y
Let's look at the function, f ( x ) = 1 x . Now, a function is even if: f ( x ) = f ( x ) and a function is odd if:
f ( x ) = f ( x )
Step 2
We therefore can see that this function is an odd function, since;
f ( x ) = 1 x = 1 x = f ( x )
Now, the absolute value is defined as | x | = x 2
With this in mind, let's look at your function;
f ( x ) = 1 | x |
Now what happens when we look at f ( x )?
f ( x ) = 1 | x | = 1 ( x ) 2 = 1 x 2 = 1 | x | = f ( x )
Thus, f ( x ) = 1 | x | is an even function, symmetric about the y-axis.

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