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33 Function Transformations

The document discusses different types of transformations that can be performed on function graphs, including vertical and horizontal shifting, stretching and compressing, and reflections. Vertical shifting is done by adding a constant to the function, horizontal shifting is done by adding a constant inside the function, stretching and compressing is done by multiplying the function or input by a constant, and reflections involve multiplying the entire function or input by -1.

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52 views

33 Function Transformations

The document discusses different types of transformations that can be performed on function graphs, including vertical and horizontal shifting, stretching and compressing, and reflections. Vertical shifting is done by adding a constant to the function, horizontal shifting is done by adding a constant inside the function, stretching and compressing is done by multiplying the function or input by a constant, and reflections involve multiplying the entire function or input by -1.

Uploaded by

api-299265916
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Function Transformations

Just like Transformations in Geometry, we can move and resize the graphs of functions
Let us start with a function, in this case it is

f(x) = x2, but it could be anything:

f(x) = x2
Here are some simple things we can do to move or scale it on the graph:

We can move it up or down by adding a constant to the y-value:

g(x) = x2 + C
Note: to move the line down, we use a negative value for C.

C > 0 moves it up

C < 0 moves it down

We can move it left or right by adding a constant to the x-value:

g(x) = (x+C)2
Adding C moves the function to the left (the negative direction).
Why? Well imagine you will inherit a fortune when your age=25. If you change that
to(age+4) = 25 then you would get it when you are 21. Adding 4 made it happen earlier.

C > 0 moves it left

C < 0 moves it right

An easy way to remember what happens to the graph when we add a constant:

add to y, go high
add to x, go left
BUT we must add C wherever x appears in the function (we are substituting x+C for x).

Example: the function v(x) = x3 - x2 + 4x


To move C spaces to the left, add C to x wherever x appears:

w(x) = (x + C)3 - (x + C)2 + 4(x + C)

We can stretch or compress it in the y-direction by multiplying the whole


function by a constant.

g(x) = 0.35(x2)

C > 1 stretches it

0 < C < 1 compresses it

We can stretch or compress it in the x-direction by multiplying x by a constant.

g(x) = (2x)2

C > 1 compresses it

0 < C < 1 stretches it

Note that (unlike for the y-direction), bigger values cause more compression.

We can flip it upside down by multiplying the whole function by 1:

g(x) = (x2)
This is also called reflection about the x-axis (the axis where y=0)
We can combine a negative value with a scaling:
Example: multiplying by 2 will flip it upside down AND stretch it in the y-direction.

We can flip it left-right by multiplying the x-value by 1:

g(x) = (x)2
2

It really does flip it left and right! But you can't see it, because x is symmetrical about
the y-axis. So here is another example using (x):

g(x) = (x)
This is also called reflection about the y-axis (the axis where x=0)

Summary
y = f(x) + C

y = f(x + C)

C > 0 moves it up

C < 0 moves it down

C > 0 moves it left

y = Cf(x)

y = f(Cx)

C < 0 moves it right

C > 1 stretches it in the y-direction

0 < C < 1 compresses it

C > 1 compresses it in the xdirection

0 < C < 1 stretches it

y = f(x)

Reflects it about x-axis

y = f(x)

Reflects it about y-axis

Examples
Example: the function g(x) = 1/x
Here are some things we can do:
Move 2 spaces up:

h(x) = 1/x + 2

Move 3 spaces down:

h(x) = 1/x 3

Move 4 spaces to the right:

h(x) = 1/(x4) graph

Move 5 spaces to the left:

h(x) = 1/(x+5)

Stretch it by 2 in the y-direction:

h(x) = 2/x

Compress it by 3 in the x-direction: h(x) = 1/(3x)


Flip it upside down:

h(x) = 1/x

Example: the function v(x) = x3 4x


Here are some things we can do:
Move 2 spaces up:

w(x) = x3 4x + 2

Move 3 spaces down:

w(x) = x3 4x 3

Move 4 spaces to the right:

w(x) = (x4)3 4(x4)

Move 5 spaces to the left:

w(x) = (x+5)3 4(x+5) graph

Stretch it by 2 in the y-direction:

w(x) = 2(x3 4x) = 2x3 8x

Compress it by 3 in the x-direction: w(x) = (3x)3 4(3x) = 27x3 12x


Flip it upside down:

w(x) = x3 + 4x

All In One ... !


We can do all transformation in one go using this:

a is vertical stretch/compression

|a| > 1 stretches

|a| < 1 compresses

a < 0 flips the graph upside down

b is horizontal stretch/compression

|b| > 1 compresses

|b| < 1 stretches

b < 0 flips the graph left-right

c is horizontal shift

c < 0 shifts to the right

c > 0 shifts to the left

d is vertical shift

d > 0 shifts upward

d < 0 shifts downward

Example: 2(x+1)+1
a=2, c=1, d=1
So it takes the square root function, and then

Stretches it by 2 in the y-direction

Shifts it left 1, and

Shifts it up 1

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