Bunuel
The figure below shows the graph of a certain equation in the xy-plane. Which of the following could be the equation?

(A) x = |y| – 1
(B) y = |x| – 1
(C) |y| = x – 1
(D) y = x + 1
(E) |x| = y – 1
Attachment:
2020-12-10_17-01-13.png
Let's focus on the y-intercept of the graph.

Since the point (
0,
y) lies ON the graph, we know that x =
0 and y =
y is a SOLUTION to the equation of the graph.
We also know that, since the point is beneath the x-axis, the value of
y must be NEGATIVE.
At this point, let's plug x =
0 and see what we can conclude about the value of
y(A)
0 = |y| – 1.
Add 1 to both sides to get: |y| = 1
We get TWO possible solutions:
y = 1 and
y = -1
So, the points (
0,
1) and (
0,
-1) must BOTH lie on the graph.
Since the graph has only ONE possible y-value corresponding to x =
0, answer choice A is incorrect
(B) y = |
0| – 1 = -1
Perfect, when x =
0, the corresponding
y-coordinate is NEGATIVE.
KEEP B
(C) |y| =
0 – 1
Simplify: |y| = -1
Since there are NO values of y that satisfy this equation, answer choice C is incorrect.
(D) y =
0 + 1 = 1
So, when x =
0, the corresponding
y-coordinate is POSITIVE.
Answer choice D is incorrect.
(E) |
0| = y – 1
Solve to get: y = 1
So, when x =
0, the corresponding
y-coordinate is POSITIVE.
Answer choice E is incorrect.
By the process of elimination (POE), the correct answer must be B