3.4.2

Transformations of Graphs

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Translations

Translations are when we move a graph without changing its shape.

Vertical translation

Vertical translation

  • Moves a function up or down. For y = f(x):
    • y = f(x) + a moves the graph up by a
    • y = f(x) - a moves the graph down by a
Horizontal translation

Horizontal translation

  • Moves a function left or right. For y = f(x):
    • y = f(x + a) moves the graph left by a
    • y = f(x - a) moves the graph right by a

Reflections

Reflection in the x axis

Reflection in the x axis

  • For a function y = f(x):
    • y = -f(x) gives a reflection in the x axis
Reflection in the y axis

Reflection in the y axis

  • For a function y = f(x):
    • y = f(-x) gives a reflection in the y axis
Invariant points

Invariant points

  • Invariant points are points that don’t change in a transformation (e.g reflection).
  • (0, 1.5) is the invariant point shown in the above reflection.

Stretches and Compressions

Graphs of functions can be stretched or compressed in either the horizontal or vertical direction.

Vertical stretches and compressions

Vertical stretches and compressions

  • Given a function f(x), a new function g(x) = af(x), where a is a constant, is a vertical stretch or vertical compression of the function f(x).
    • If a > 1, then the graph will be stretched.
    • If 0 < a < 1, then the graph will be compressed.
Horizontal stretches and compressions

Horizontal stretches and compressions

  • Given a function f(x), a new function g(x) = f(bx), where b is a constant, is a horizontal stretch or horizontal compression of the function f(x).
    • If b > 1, then the graph will be compressed by 1b\frac{1}{b}.
    • If 0 < b < 1, then the graph will be stretched by 1b\frac{1}{b}.
Jump to other topics
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