3.4.2
Transformations of Graphs
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Translations
Translations are when we move a graph without changing its shape.
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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
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
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
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Reflection in the x axis
- For a function y = f(x):
- y = -f(x) gives a reflection in the x axis
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Reflection in the y axis
- For a function y = f(x):
- y = f(-x) gives a reflection in the y axis
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
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
- 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
- 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 .
- If 0 < b < 1, then the graph will be stretched by .
1Numbers
1.1Integers
1.3Decimals
1.4Powers & Roots
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1.7Ratio & Proportion
2Equations, Formulae & Identities
2.1Algebraic Manipulation
2.2Expressions & Formulae
2.3Linear Equations
2.4Quadratic Equations
2.5Proportion
3Sequences, Functions & Graphs
3.1Sequences
3.3Graphs
3.4Common Graphs
4Geometry
4.1Angles, Lines & Triangles
4.2Polygons
4.5Circle Properties
4.6Trigonometry & Pythagoras’ theorem
4.7Mensuration of 2D Shapes
4.83D Shapes & Volume
5Vectors & Transformation Geometry
6Statistics & Probability
6.1Statistical Measures
6.2Graphical Representation of Data
Jump to other topics
1Numbers
1.1Integers
1.3Decimals
1.4Powers & Roots
1.5Set Language & Notation
1.6Percentages
1.7Ratio & Proportion
2Equations, Formulae & Identities
2.1Algebraic Manipulation
2.2Expressions & Formulae
2.3Linear Equations
2.4Quadratic Equations
2.5Proportion
3Sequences, Functions & Graphs
3.1Sequences
3.3Graphs
3.4Common Graphs
4Geometry
4.1Angles, Lines & Triangles
4.2Polygons
4.5Circle Properties
4.6Trigonometry & Pythagoras’ theorem
4.7Mensuration of 2D Shapes
4.83D Shapes & Volume
5Vectors & Transformation Geometry
6Statistics & Probability
6.1Statistical Measures
6.2Graphical Representation of Data
Practice questions on Transformations of Graphs
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- 4If y = f(x), where will y = f(x-3) appear on the same graph?Multiple choice
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