Graph Transformations

There are many times when youll know very well what the graph of a
particular function looks like, and youll want to know what the graph of a
very similar function looks like. In this chapter, well discuss some ways to
draw graphs in these circumstances.

Transformations after the original function

Suppose you know what the graph of a function f (x) looks like. Suppose
d 2 R is some number that is greater than 0, and you are asked to graph the
function f (x) + d. The graph of the new function is easy to describe: just
take every point in the graph of f (x), and move it up a distance of d. That
is, if (a, b) is a point in the graph of f (x), then (a, b + d) is a point in the
graph of f (x) + d.

(9)

As an explanation for whats written above: If (a, b) is a point in the graph

of f (x), then that means f (a) = b. Hence, f (a) + d = b + d, which is to say
that (a, b + d) is a point in the graph of f (x) + d.
The chart on the next page describes how to use the graph of f (x) to create
the graph of some similar functions. Throughout the chart, d > 0, c > 1, and
(a, b) is a point in the graph of f (x).
Notice that all of the new functions in the chart dier from f (x) by some
algebraic manipulation that happens after f plays its part as a function. For
example, first you put x into the function, then f (x) is what comes out. The
function has done its job. Only after f has done its job do you add d to get
the new function f (x) + d.
67

Because all of the algebraic transformations occur after the function does
its job, all of the changes to points in the second column of the chart occur
in the second coordinate. Thus, all the changes in the graphs occur in the
vertical measurements of the graph.

New
function

How points in graph of f (x)

become points of new graph

visual eect

f (x) + d

(a, b) 7! (a, b + d)

shift up by d

f (x)

(a, b) 7! (a, b

d)

shift down by d

cf (x)

(a, b) 7! (a, cb)

stretch vertically by c

1
c f (x)

(a, b) 7! (a, 1c b)

shrink vertically by

f (x)

(a, b) 7! (a, b)

flip over the x-axis

1
c

Examples.
The graph of f (x) = x2 is a graph that we know how to draw. Its
drawn on page 59.
We can use this graph that we know and the chart above to draw f (x) + 2,
f (x) 2, 2f (x), 12 f (x), and f (x). Or to write the previous five functions
without the name of the function f , these are the five functions x2 + 2, x2 2,
2
2x2 , x2 , and x2 . These graphs are drawn on the next page.

68

69

z
Urv\Of

Z_

S!V-X

zx- (-

2.

c1l

4LLS

c3\

Transformations before the original function

We could also make simple algebraic adjustments to f (x) before the function f gets a chance to do its job. For example, f (x+d) is the function where
you first add d to a number x, and only after that do you feed a number into
the function f .
The chart below is similar to the chart on page 68. The dierence in the
chart below is that the algebraic manipulations occur before you feed a number into f , and thus all of the changes occur in the first coordinates of points
in the graph. All of the visual changes aect the horizontal measurements of
the graph.
In the chart below, just as in the previous chart, d > 0, c > 1, and (a, b) is
a point in the graph of f (x).

New
function

How points in graph of f (x)

become points of new graph

f (x + d)

(a, b) 7! (a

f (x

(a, b) 7! (a + d, b)

d)

d, b)

visual eect

shift left by d
shift right by d

f (cx)

(a, b) 7! ( 1c a, b)

shrink horizontally by

1
c

f ( 1c x)

(a, b) 7! (ca, b)

stretch horizontally by c

f ( x)

(a, b) 7! ( a, b)

flip over the y-axis

One important point of caution to keep in mind is that most of the visual
horizontal changes described in the chart above are the exact opposite of the
eect that most people anticipate after having seen the chart on page 68. To
70

get an idea for why thats true lets work through one example. Well see
why the first row of the previous chart is true, that is well see why the graph
of f (x + d) is the graph of f (x) shifted left by d:
Suppose that d > 0. If (a, b) is a point that is contained in the graph of
f (x), then f (a) = b. Hence, f ((a d) + d) = f (a) = b, which is to say that
(a d, b) is a point in the graph of f (x + d). The visual change between the
point (a, b) and the point (a d, b) is a shift to the left a distance of d.
Examples.
Beginning with the graph f (x) = x2 , we can use the chart on the
previous page to draw the graphs of f (x + 2), f (x 2), f (2x), f ( 12 x), and
f ( x). We could alternatively write these functions as (x + 2)2 , (x 2)2 ,
(2x)2 , ( x2 )2 , and ( x)2 . The graphs of these functions are drawn on the next
page.
Notice on the next page that the graph of ( x)2 is the same as the graph
of our original function x2 . Thats because when you flip the graph of x2
over the y-axis, youll get the same graph that you started with. That x2 and
( x)2 have the same graph means that they are the same function. We know
this as well from their algebra: because ( 1)2 = 1, we know that ( x)2 = x2 .

71

c3\

z)
x
(xz) 2
-2

L1x_

.ii

(2.)

etc.

Z
7
b

(x_2)2
2

zx
72

Transformations before and after the original function

As long as there is only one type of operation involved inside the function
either multiplication or addition and only one type of operation involved
73
outside of the function either multiplication or addition you can apply
the rules from the two charts on page 68 and 70 to transform the graph
4(x) of a
function.
7
Examples.
Lets look at the function 2f (x + 3). There is only
one kind of
-LI.
operation inside of the parentheses, and that operation is addition
you are
-
adding 3.
There is only one kind of operation outside of the parentheses, and that
73
73
operation is multiplication you are multiplying by 2, and you are multiplying
4(x)
4I(x43
by 1.
So to find the graph of 2f (x + 3), take the graph of f (x), shift it to the
left by a distance
of 3, stretch vertically by a factor of 2, and then flip over
7
7
the x-axis.
-LI.
(There are three transformations that
you have to perform in this problem:
-
shift left, stretch, and flip. You have to do all three, but the order in which
you do them isnt important. Youll get the same answer either way.)

4I(x43
4(x)

4(x)

2tk3)
-4

-LI.

-LI.

2tk3)
4I(x43

4I(x43
-4

2.Lt.

ole( .z-axS
73

2tk3)
-4

2tk3)
-4

2.Lt.

 The graph of 2g(3x) is obtained from the graph of g(x) by shrinking

the horizontal coordinate by 13 , and stretching the vertical coordinate by 2.
(Youd get the same answer here if you reversed the order of the transformations and stretched vertically by 2 before shrinking horizontally by 13 . The
order isnt important.)

4,

(x)

I
-4-I

-I

-t

7:
74

Exercises
For #1-10, suppose that f (x) = x8 . Match each of the numbered functions
on the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.
1.) f (x) + 2

A.) ( x)8

2.) 3f (x)

B.) 13 x8

3.) f ( x)

C.) x8

4.) f (x

D.) x8 + 2

2)

5.) 31 f (x)

E.) ( x3 )8

6.) f (3x)

F.)

7.) f (x)
8.)

x8

G.) (x

2)8

H.) (3x)8

f (x)

9.) f (x + 2)

I.) 3x8

10.) f ( x3 )

J.) (x + 2)8

For #11 and #12, suppose g(x) = x1 . Match each of the numbered functions
on the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.
11.)

4g(3x

7) + 2

12.) 6g( 2x + 5)

A.)

B.)
75

6
2x+5

4
3x 7

+2

. .

(~f

-t

I.

Exercises

c-f

Given thegraph
graph of f (x)above,
above,match
match thefollowing
followingfour
four functionswith
with
Given
Giventhe
the graphofoff (x)
f (x) above,
matchthe
the following
fourfunctions
functions with
3.3
8
their
Forgraphs.
#1-10, suppose f (x) = x . Match each of the numbered functions on
their
theirgraphs.
graphs.
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.
13.) f (x)
+
14.) f (x) 2 2
15.) f (x
+ 2)
16.) f (x 2)2)
13.)
++
2 22
14.)
15.)
16.)
13.)f (x)
f (x)
14.)f (x)
f (x) 2
15.)f (x
f (x++2)82)
16.)f (x
f (x 2)
1.)off (x)
2
x8 . Match each
the +numbered
functions on . A.) ( x)
I
I
I
I
~
I
I
ction on the right that it equals.

Exercises

Exercises

1 8
8
2.)( 3f
B.) 8of
For
#1-10,
suppose f (x) = x8 . Match each
A.)
x)(x)
3 xthe numbered functions on
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.

Exercises

1 ff8((x)
1.)
3.)
x)+ 2
B.)
x8 . Match each
of
3 xthe numbered functions on
f-tm
tion on the right that it equals.

A.)
C.) (x8x)82

f-Li

2.)
3f
C.)
2 2)
4.)
(x8(x)
A.)
(x8fx)

B.)
D.) 13xx88 + 2

1x818ff
D.)
+
2x)
3.)
((x)
5.)
B.)
3 x3

C.)
E.) x(8x3 )8 2

x 8
E.)
4.)
(x
6.)
C.)
x(83ff)(3x)
2 2)

D.)
F.) x8 x+8 2

18
F.)
5.)
f2(x) 2
7.)
D.)
x8fx+
3(x)

x 8
E.)
G.)((x
2)8
3)

G.)
2)8
x f
8f
6.)
(3x)
8.)
(x)
E.)
( (x
)
3

F.)
x8 8
H.) (3x)

7i~.

8
H.)7.)(3x)
(x)+ 2)2
F.)9.)
xff8(x

I.) 3x8 x 8
8.)
(x)
G.)10.)
(x f f(2)
3)

G.)
(x8 2)8
I.) 3x
60 60
76

i-LI-

H.)
J.) (3x)
(x +8 2)8

8
J.)
(x#11
+8 2)and
1
8
For
each
of the numbered functions
9.)
f
(x
+
2)#12, suppose g(x) = x . Match
I.) 3x
H.) (3x)

. .

1-

it-

Exercises

Given
graph
g(x)
above,
match
following
four
functions
with
7
Given
thethe
graph
of of
g(x)
above,
match
thethe
following
four
functions
with
Given
the
graph
of
g(x)
above,
match
the
following
four
functions
with
8
their
graphs.
For
#1-10, suppose f (x) = x . Match each of the numbered functions on
their
graphs.
their graphs.
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.
17.)
g(x)
18.)
g(x) 3 3
19.)
+ 3)
20.)
17.)
g(x)
+ 3+ 3
18.)
g(x)
19.)
g(xg(x
+ 3)
20.)
g(xg(x 3) 3)
17.) g(x) + 3
18.) g(x) 3
19.) g(x + 3)8
20.) g(x 3)
8
= x . Match each1.)offthe
functions on
(x) numbered
+2
. A.) ( x)
nction on the right that it equals.
7
7
8
. A.)2.)
( 3f
x)
.Lt = x8 . Match each
(x) suppose f (x)
B.) 13ofx8the numbered functions on
For
#1-10,
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.

Exercises

Exercises

Exercises

1 8
B.)3.)
xfthe
x)
3of
= x8 . Match each
numbered
functions on
1.)
f( (x)
+2
unction on the right that it equals.
x( 8 fx)
(x28(x)2)
. C.)
A.)4.)
2.) 3f

C.)
A.) x
( 8 x)82
1 8 8+ 2
D.)
B.) x
3x

D.) x1 8 18+ 2
f (x)
B.)5.)
3.)
3 x3 ( x)

x
E.)
C.) (x38)8 2

E.) ( x38)8
C.)6.)
x f f(3x)
2 2)
4.)
(x

8
F.)
D.) x8x+
2

F.) 8x81
(x)
D.)7.)
x f+
2 2
5.)
3 f (x)

x 8 2)8
G.)
E.) ((x
3)

G.) (xx 8 2)8

(x)
E.)8.)
( 3 ) ff(3x)
6.)

H.)
F.) (3x)
x8 8

H.) (3x)8
+ 2)2
F.)9.)
7.)xf8f(x(x)

I.)
G.)3x
(x8

I.) 3x
x 8
)
G.)10.)
(x f (f2)
8.)
3(x)

(0,

5-S

4/

61 61
77

2)8

s-a

J.)
+ 82)8
H.) (x
(3x)

J.) (x + 2)8
1
For
#11
each
8 of the numbered functions
H.)
(3x)
9.)
f8(xand
+ 2)#12, suppose g(x) = x . Match
I.) 3x

k (x)

Given the graph of h(x) above, match the following two functions with
Given
graph
of h(x)
above,
match
following
functions
with
Given
thethe
graph
of h(x)
above,
match
thethe
following
twotwo
functions
with
their graphs.
their
graphs.
their
graphs.
21.) h(x)
22.) h( x)8
21.)#1-10,
h(x)suppose
For
f22.)
(x)
=x)xx). Match each of the numbered functions on
21.)
h(x)
22.)
h( h(
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.

Exercises

Exercises

+ 2numbered functions on .
= x8 . Match 1.)
eachf (x)
of the
nction on the right that it equals.
.

A.) ( x)8

A.)3f( (x)
x)8
2.)

B.) 13 x8

B.)f 13( x8x)

3.)

C.) x8

C.)fx(x8
4.)

D.) x8 + 2

~HO

22)

D.)1 fx8(x)
+2
5.)
3

E.) ( x3 )8

E.) ( x3 )8
6.) f (3x)

F.)

F.) x8
7.) f (x)

G.) (x

G.) (x 2)8
8.) f (x)
H.) (3x)8
9.) f (x + 2)
I.) 3x8
10.) f ( x3 )

x8
2)8

H.) (3x)8
62

62
78

I.) 3x8
J.) (x + 2)8

.
.

Given
Given the
the graph
graph of
of fff(x)
(x) above,
above, match
match the
the following
following two
two functions
functions with
with
Given
the
graph
of
(x)
above,
match
the
following
two
functions
with
their
graphs.
their graphs.
graphs.
their
23.)
ff(x)
24.)
ff(( x)
23.)
(x)
24.)
x)
23.) f (x)
24.) f ( x)
pose f (x) = x8 . Match each of the numbered functions on
ettered function on the right that it equals.

Exercises
.

A.) ( x)8
B.) 13 x8

Exercises
C.) x

8
2
pose f (x) = x8 . Match each of the numbered functions on
ettered function on the right that it equals.
D.) x8 + 2
. A.) ( x)8

E.) (1x3 )88

B.) 3 x
8
F.) x
8
C.) x
2

G.) (x8 2)8

D.) x + 2
H.) (3x)8
E.) ( x3 )8

63
63
79

I.) 3x8
F.) x8
J.) (x + 2)8

11-/a

.
~(x)

Given the graph of g(x) above, match the following four functions with
Given
thegraph
graphofofg(x)
g(x)above,
above,match
matchthe
thefollowing
followingfour
fourfunctions
functionswith
with
Given
the
their graphs.
8
Forgraphs.
#1-10, suppose f (x) = x . Match each of the numbered functions on
their
graphs.
their
1
26.)function
g(2x)
28.) g( x2 )
the25.)
left 2g(x)
with the lettered
on the27.)
right
that it equals.
2 g(x)
1
x x)
25.)2g(x)
2g(x)
26.)12 g(x)
27.)g(2x)
g(2x)
28.)g(g(
25.)
26.)
27.)
28.)
2 g(x)
2 )2
8
8
1.)
f
(x)
+
2
.
A.)
(
x)
x . Match each of the numbered functions on
tion on the right that it equals.

Exercises

Exercises

Exercises

8
For
#1-10,
suppose f (x) = x8 . Match each
on
A.)
( 3f
x)(x)
2.)
B.) 13ofx8the numbered functions
(8, a)
2,0)
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals.

Exercises

1of8fthe
x8 . Match each
functions on
1.)
+2
B.)
3.)
f ( (x)
x)numbered
3x
tion on the right that it equals.

A.) x( 8 x)82
C.)

8
A.)
x)2(x)
C.)
x(8f 3f
2.)
4.)
(x
2)

B.) x13 x8 8+ 2
D.)

8
B.)
1+
D.)
x138x
3.)
f (x)
(2 x)
5.)
3

C.) (xx8)8 2
E.)
3

8
C.)
E.)
(xx3f8)f(3x)
4.)
(x2 2)
6.)

8 8
D.) xkji,o)
F.)
x+ 2

81
F.)
D.)
xfx8 (x)
+2
5.)
7.)
3 f (x)

Lt,

a)

a)
x 8
8
E.) ((x
G.)
3 ) 2) (3,-I)

G.)
(x
2)8
E.)
( x3 )ff8(3x)
6.)
8.)
(x)(3,.~.Lf.)

F.) (3x)
x8 8
H.)

88
H.)
(3x)
F.)
x
7.)
f
9.) f (x(x)
+ 2)2

G.)3x
(x8
I.)

I.)
3x(x8 x2)8
G.)
8.) f (f (x)
10.)
3)

64

64 80

2)8

13-K

8
H.) (x
(3x)
J.)
+ 2)8

8
J.) (x + 2)
8
8 of the numbered functions
H.)
(3x)
For9.)#11
each
f (xand
+ 2)#12, suppose g(x) = 1 . Match
I.) 3x

(3,&)
-

6(x)

IlIlilpIll

Exercises

Given the graph of h(x) above, match the following four functions with
Given the
the graph
graph ofof h(x)
h(x) above,
above, match
match
the following
following four
four functions
functions with
with
8
Given
the
For
#1-10, suppose
f (x) = x
. Match
each of the
numbered functions
on
their
graphs.
theirgraphs.
graphs.
their
the left with the lettered1 function on the right that it equals. x
29.) 3h(x)
30.) 3 h(x)
31.) h(3x)
32.) xh(
)
29.) 3h(x)
3h(x)
30.) 1 13h(x)
h(x)
31.) h(3x)
h(3x)
32.) h(
h( x3))3
8 32.)
29.)
30.)
31.)
8
3functions on
3
(x)numbered
+2
. A.) ( x)
= x . Match each1.)
of fthe
nction on the right that it equals.

Exercises

Exercises

B.) 13 x8
A.)2.)
( 3f
x)8(x)
8
For #1-10, suppose
(3,9) f (x) = x . Match each of the numbered functions on
the left with the lettered function on the right that it equals. (ctg)
1 8
f ( x)
C.) x8 82
B.)3.)
3x
8
= x . Match each 1.)
of the
functions on
f (x)numbered
+2
. A.) ( x)
TI tTTl)_.
nction on the right that it equals.
C.)4.)
x8 f (x28 2)
D.) 1x88+ 2
. A.) 2.)
( x)
3f (x)
B.)(...cf,_3)
3x
.

Exercises

D.)5.)
x8 1+f 2(x)
1 83
B.) 3.)
3 x f ( x)

E.) ( 8x3 )8
C.) x
2

E.)6.)
( x3 )f8 (3x)
C.) 4.)
x8 f (x
2 2)

F.) 8x8
D.) x + 2

F.)7.) xf8 (x) 2(113)

D.) 5.)
x8 +31 f2(x)

G.) (x
2)8
x 8
E.) ( 3 )

I III

II~I

G.)8.)
(x f2)
(x)
E.) 6.)
( x3 )8f (3x)

8
H.) (3x)
8(-3,-I)
F.) x

H.) (3x)8
9.) f (x + 2)
F.) 7.)x8f (x) 2

I.) 3x8
G.) (x 2)8

I.) 3x8
10.) f ( x3 )8
G.) 8.)
(x f2)(x)

6581

65

(3,1)
p p apelp

J.) (x +82)8
H.) (3x)

J.)For
(x #11
+ 2)8and #12, suppose g(x) = 1 . Match each of the numbered functions
x
8

N
For #33-41, match the numbered functions with their lettered graphs.
33.) x2

34.) x2 + 1

36.) (x + 1)2 + 1

37.) (x + 1)2

39.) (x

1)2

40.)

(x + 1)2

35.) (x + 1)2
1

1)2 + 1

38.) (x
41.)

B.)

C.)

D.)

E.)

F.)

I.)

H.)

G.)

((

fr fr

fr

fr

A.)

1)2

(x

fr

fr

82

Below is the graph of a function f (x).

4:

-3
-Li.

42.) What is the domain of f ?

43.) What is the range of f ?
44.) What are the x-intercepts of the graph of f ?
45.) What is the y-intercept of the graph of f ?

83

%L