MHF4U

UNIT #1: POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

HOMEWORK LIST

SECTION Page Numbers Questions

Prerequisite p. 2 -3 #1ace, 2cde, 3bce, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8ace, 9, 10b, 11b, 12
Skills
1.1 p. 11 - 14 #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9(in class)
1.2 p. 26 – 29 #1, 2, 3, 4abcf, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11(in class), 12
1.3 p. 39 - 41 #1bc, 2ab, 3, 5, 6ac, 7abd, 9(don’t graph), 11a, 12ab, 14*
1.4 p. 49 - 52 #1acd, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7abc, 8ac, 9, 10, 12, 14*
Review p. 74 – 77 #1 – 11, 12(don’t graph), 13, 14, 15
p. 79 #8abd

Note: Questions with an asterix * are extra questions that are optional for the daily
homework. However, they are potential “extended-type” questions that could be
included on a unit test.

Corrections to Answers in the Textbook

Prerequisite Skills #7b y = -1/2(x – 3)2 or y = -1/2x2 + 3x – 9/2
1.1 #3d (ii) positive (iii) R: {y  R l y  0} (v) quadrant 2 to quadrant 1
1.3 #6a The y-intercept on the graph is (0, 72). This will give the answer in the textbook.
#6c The a value is -3
1.4 #10a (i) y = -x4 + 3 R: {y  R l y  3} vertex is (0, 3)
Review p.74 #1c The equation is supposed to be h(x) = 3 x + 2x instead of h(x) = 3x + 2x
#15a (i) y = 3/5[-1/2(x + 4)]4 + 1
 PREREQUISITE SKILLS

Function Notation

To represent functions, we use notations such as f(x) and g(x).

ex. Linear function: y = 2x + 1

In function notation: f(x) = 2x + 1

The notation f(x) is read “f of x” or “f at x”. It means that the expression that follows
contains x as a variable.

For example: f(3) means substitute 3 for every x in the expression and solve for y, or f(3).

ex. Quadratic function : f(x) = x2 – 4x + 7

f(3) = (3)2 – 4(3) + 7

= 9 – 12 + 7

=4

 when x = 3, y = 4 or  f(3) = 4

Examples: Determine each value for the function f(x) = x2 – 4x + 1

a) f(0) b) f(-2) c) f(1/2)

d) f(3x) e) -2f(2x)
Slope and y-intercept of a line

The equation of a line, written in the form y = mx + b , has m = slope and b = y-intercept.

Examples: Determine the slope and y-intercept of the following lines.

a) y = 3x - 1 b) 2x – 7y = 14 c) y + 2 = 7(x – 1)

Equation of a Line

 To write the equation of a line, you need the SLOPE and the Y-intercept.
 Recall: The Slope Formula
𝑦2− 𝑦1
Given 2 points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the slope is given by: m =
𝑥2 −𝑥1

Examples: Determine the equation of the line that satisfies each set of conditions.

a) Slope is -1 and the y-intercept is 7.

b) Slope is 2 and it passes through the point (1, -4).

c) Line passes through the points (-2, 0) and (2, 4).

Finite Differences

 Finite differences can be used to determine whether a function is linear, quadratic or

neither.
 Finite differences can ONLY be used if the x-values in the table are
increasing/decreasing by the same amount.
 If the 1st differences are constant, the function is linear.
 If the 2nd difference are constant, the function is quadratic.

Examples: Use finite differences to determine whether the functions below are linear,
quadratic or neither.

a)
x y

-2 9

-1 7
0 5
1 3
2 1

b)

x y

1 4
2 1
3 0
4 1
5 4

Domain and Range

 The domain of a function is the set of all first coordinates (x-values) of the relation.

 The range of a function is the set of all second coordinates (y-values) of the function.

range

domain
 Examples:

1. Given the following relations, state the domain and range.

a) b) c)
y y y
  

  

  

  

  

  

x x x

                                      

  

  

  

  

  

  

d) {(1, 2), (3, 4), (4, 6), (7, 10)} e) 

y f) 
y

 

 

 







x
x

            
            



















2. Given the equations of the following functions, state their domain and range.
a) y = x – 5 b) y = x2 + 7 c) y = -2(x + 4)2 + 3

1
d) y = √1 − 4𝑥 e) y =
x2
Quadratic Functions

There are 3 forms used to model quadratic functions.

FORM MODEL PROPERTIES EXAMPLE

y = ax2+ bx + c  If a > 0, the parabola opens 2
y = 3x – 4x + 7
where a,b & c up and has a minimum. a = 3 and 3 > 0, so the
Standard Form are constants  If a < 0, the parabola opens parabola opens up and
and a≠0 down and has a maximum. has a minimum.
 c’ is the y-intercept 7 is the y-intercept.
y = a(x – r)(x – s)  If a > 0, the parabola opens y = -2(x + 4)(x – 3)
where a, r & s up and has a minimum. a= -2 and -2 < 0, so the
are constants  If a < 0, the parabola opens parabola opens down and
Factored Form and a≠0. down and has a maximum. has a maximum.
 Values for r and s are the x- The x-intercepts are at -
intercepts or zeros. 4 and 3.

y = a(x – h)2 + k  If a > 0, the parabola opens y = 0.5(x-3)2 + 5

where a, h and k up and has a minimum. a = 0.5 and 0.5 > 0 so the
are constants  If a < 0, the parabola opens parabola opens up and
Vertex Form
and a≠0. down and has a maximum. has a minimum.
 (h, k) is the vertex The vertex is at (3,5).

Examples: Determine the equation of a quadratic function that satisfies each set of conditions.

a) x – intercepts at -2 and 6, y-intercept at 24.

b) x – intercepts at -1 and passing through the point (-2, 6)

c) Vertex at ( -4, 7) and passing through the point ( 1, 12)

Factoring Polynomials

* Always look for a greatest common factor (GCF) first!

Ex. 8x3 + 6x2 = 2x2(4x + 3)

* If the expression is a binomial, look for a Difference of Squares.

Ex. x2 – 25 = (x + 5)(x – 5)

* If the expression is a trinomial in the form ax  bx  c , look for the Sum and Product.
2

Ex. x2 + 9x + 20 = (x + 4)(x + 5) Ex. 2x2 – 5x – 3 = (2x + 1)(x – 3)

* Remember to factor fully where possible.

Ex. 3x2 – 48 = 3(x2 – 16) Ex. 2x3 – 14x2 + 24x = 2x(x2 – 7x + 12)

= 3(x + 4)(x – 4) = 2x(x – 3)(x – 4)

Examples: Factor fully.

a) 3a4b2 – 6a2b3 + 12ab4 b) 36x2 – 49 c) 9a2 – 9

d) x2 – 5x - 14 e) 2a 2  3a  2

f) 10y 2  5y 3  5y 4 g) 6c 2  22c  40
Recall:

To find the x-intercepts given a quadratic equation in STANDARD FORM, set y = 0 and …

1- FACTOR and SOLVE OR 2 – QUADRATIC FORMULA

−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

To find the x-intercepts from VERTEX FORM:

Set y = 0, then isolate the equation for x

To find the vertex given an equation in STANDARD FORM:

1- Find the x-intercepts. Add them up and divide by 2 to find the x-coordinate of the
vertex. Sub the x-coordinate into the equation and find the corresponding
y-coordinate.
OR
2- Complete the square to rewrite the equation in Vertex form.

Examples: Determine the x-intercepts, the vertex, the direction of opening and the domain
and range of each quadratic function. Sketch a graph of the function.

a) y = 2(x – 2) (x + 5)
b) y = 3(x – 5)2 – 9

c) y = -3x2 + 17x + 6

d) y = 2x2 - 12x + 7
Transformations

Translations
 A transformation that results in a shift of the original figure without changing its shape.

Vertical Translation of c units: y

g(x) = f(x) + c


c›0
The graph of the function g(x) = f(x) + c.


o when c is positive, the translation is



f(x)
UP by c units.


o when c is negative, the translation is



DOWN by c units.


g(x) = f(x) + c
x

             



c ‹ 0










Horizontal Translation of d units:

y
y







The graph of the function g(x) = f(x – d). 



o when d  0, the translation is to 



the RIGHT by d units. 



o when d  0, the translation is to  

the LEFT by d units.

x
x

                       

 

 

g(x) = f(x-d) f(x) g(x) = f(x-d)

 

d‹0 d›0









Reflections
 a transformation in which a figure is reflected over a reflection line.

Reflection in the X – Axis/ Vertical Reflection:

o The graph of g(x) = -f(x).

Reflection in the Y – Axis/ Horizontal Reflection:

 The graph of g(x) = f(-x).

Stretches and Compressions

Vertical Stretch or Compression:

y

The graph of the function g(x) = af(x), a › 0. 

g(x)=af(x)
 when a  1, there is a 

a›1
VERTICAL STRETCH by a factor of a. 

f(x)
 when 0  a  1, there is a 

VERTICAL COMPRESSION by a factor of a. 

g(x)=af(x)


 Points on the x-axis are invariant.

x

            0‹a‹1
 











Horizontal Expansion or Compression: 


g(x)=f(kx)
The graph of the function g(x) = f(kx), k › 0. 

 k › 1
𝟏
 when    1, there is an EXPANSION  f(x)
𝒌
by a factor of 1/k. 

𝟏
 when 0     1, there is a COMPRESSION 
g(x)=f(kx)
𝒌 x

by a factor of 1/k.              

 0‹k‹1










Examples: Identify each transformation of the function y = f(x).

a) y = 2 f(x) + 1

b) y = -1/3 f(x - 2)
 c) y = f(-3x)

d) y = -2 f(3x + 3) - 4

Examples: Write an equation for the transformed function of each base function. State the
domain and range of each.

a) f(x) = x2, is reflected in the x-axis, stretched vertically by a factor of 3, translated

to the left 6 units and down 5 units.

b) 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 , is compressed horizontally by a factor of 1/2, stretched vertically by a

factor of 3, reflected in the y- axis, and translated right 4 units.
MHF4U 1.1 POWER FUNCTIONS

A power function is the simplest type of polynomial function and has the form f(x) = axn where x is
a variable and a is a real number and n is a whole number. It is a single-term polynomial function.

A polynomial expression is an expression of the form

𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 + ⋯ + 𝑎3 𝑥 3 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥 1 + 𝑎0

 n is a whole number
 x is a variable
 the coefficients a0, a1, a2, …..are real numbers
 the Degree of the expression is n, the exponent of the greatest power of x
 an , is the coefficient of the greatest power of x, is the leading coefficient
 a0, the term without a variable, is the constant term

A polynomial function has the form

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 + ⋯ + 𝑎3 𝑥 3 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥 1 + 𝑎0

Some Power Functions have special names that are associated with their degree

Power Function Degree Name

y=a 0 Constant
y = ax 1 Linear
y = ax2 2 Quadratic
y = ax3 3 Cubic
y = ax4 4 Quartic
y = ax5 5 Quintic
y = ax6 6 Sextic/Hexic
y = ax7 7 Septic/Heptic
y = ax8 8 Octic
y = ax9 9 Nonic
y = ax10 10 Decic

Example 1 – Determine which functions are polynomials. Justify your answer. State the
degree and the leading coefficient of each polynomial function.

a) g(x) = cos x b) f(x) = 3x4

c) f(x) = x5 – 3x3 + 7x2 – x + 1 d) h(x) = 4x

Investigate Power Functions

Graph the following using a graphing calculator or winplot.

y = x, y = x3, y = x5, y = x7, y = -x3 and y = x2, y = x4, y = x6, y = -x4

Power functions have similar characteristics depending on whether their degree is even or odd.

* Odd-degree Power Functions: Graphs that extend from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1 if the
leading coefficient is positive, and from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4 if the leading coefficient
is negative. The higher the exponent the closer the curve gets to the y-axis.

* Even-degree Power Functions: Graphs that make a U shape. Graphs extend from quadrant 2
to quadrant 1 if the leading coefficient is positive, and from quadrant 3 to quadrant 4 if the
leading coefficient is negative. The higher the exponent, the U shape gets closer to the y-axis.

Example 2 – Write each function in the appropriate row of the second column of the table. Give
reasons for your choices.

y= 2x y= 5x6 y = -3x2 y = x7 y = -2/5x9 y = -4x5 y = x10 y = -0.5x8

End behaviour Functions Reasons

Extends from quadrant
3 to quadrant 1

Extends from quadrant

2 to quadrant 4

Extends from quadrant

2 to quadrant 1

Extends from quadrant

3 to quadrant 4

End Behavior: The end behavior of the graph of a function is the behavior of the y-values as x
increases (that is, as x approaches positive infinity, x → ∞) and as x decreases (that is, as x
approaches negative infinity, x → −∞).
Line Symmetry

 A graph as line symmetry if there is a line x = a that divides the graph into 2 equal parts such
that one part is a reflection of the other in the line x = a.
y


x=a

        



Even-degree POWER FUNCTIONS have a line of symmetry in the y-axis, x = 0.



Point Symmetry

 A graph has point symmetry about a point (a, b) if each part of the graph on one side of (a, b)
can be rotated 180˚ to coincide with part of the graph on the other side of (a, b).
y

        











Odd-degree POWER FUNCTIONS have a point of symmetry about the origin, (0, 0).
 Example 3 – For each of the following functions, state the domain and range, describe the
end behavior and identify any symmetry.
y

a) y
b) 




 




         




x

        








c) y

        









Interval Notation
 Used to express a set of numbers.
 Intervals that are infinite are ∞ and -∞.
 Square brackets indicate the end value is included, round brackets indicate the end value is
not included.
 A round bracket is used with the ∞ symbol.
* Sets of real numbers may be expressed in a number of ways.
a) Inequality b) Interval Notation c) Graphically (number line)

Ex: -2 < x ≤ 4 Ex: x ∈ (-2, 4] Ex:

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
-4 -2 0 2 4

All possible intervals for real numbers a and b, where a  b:

Bracket Inequality Number line In words: “The set of all real numbers x such
Interval that…”
a<x<b x is greater than a and less than b
(a, b] x is
[a, b) x is
a≤x≤b x is
[a, ∞) x is
x≤a x is
x>a x is
(-∞, a) x is
(-∞, ∞) x is

4
Example 4 – The volume of a helium balloon is given by the function 𝑉(𝑟) = 𝜋𝑟 3 , where r is the
3
radius of the balloon, in meters and r ∈ [0, 5].

a) Graph V(r). y

r V(r)


0
1
2 

3
4




b) State the domain and range in this situation.



     

c) Describe the similarities and differences between the graph of V(r) and the graph of y
= x 3.
MHF4U 1.2 CHARACTERISITCS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

KEY FEATURES OF GRAPHS OF ALL POLYNOMIAL FUNCIONS

Local Minimum and Maximum Points:

Let’s look at the graph of the polynomial function defined by y = x4 + 3x3 - 9x2 - 23x - 12.

In general, polynomial function graphs consist of a smooth curve with a series of hills and valleys.
The hills and valleys are called turning points. Each turning point corresponds to a local maximum
or local minimum point.

** The maximum possible number of local min/max points is one less than the degree of the
polynomial.

Example: The polynomial above has degree 4 and has two local minimums and one local maximum,
for a total of three. This is the maximum possible number of local minimum and
maximum points for a polynomial of this degree.

Zeros (or x-intercepts) of polynomial functions:

A zero of a polynomial function is an x value for which y = 0. At these x values, its graph cuts or
touches the x axis.

** The maximum number of zeros of any polynomial is the same as its degree.

Even-degree polynomials may not have any zeros.

y



Example: The polynomial function y = x4 + 3x3 - 9x2 - 23x – 12,




x

has only three zeros, at x = -4, -1 and 3. This is one less than
                       



the maximum of four zeros that a polynomial of degree four







can have. This polynomial intersects the x-axis 



at -4 and 3, but only touches the x-axis at x = -1. 
















Finite Differences:

For a polynomial of degree n, where n is a positive integer, the nth differences

 are equal (or constant)
 have the same sign as the leading coefficient
 are equal to an!, where a is the leading coefficient,  nth differences = a  n!
c = an!

Factorial (!) means: n! = n x (n -1) x (n – 2) x (n – 3) x … x 1

Look for the PRB button on your calculator to find the ! button.
Or on a graphing calculator, look under MATH, then PRB.

Example: Each table of values represents a polynomial function. Use finite differences to
determine…
i) the degree of the polynomial function
ii) the sign of the leading coefficient
iii) the value of the leading coefficient
a) b)

x y  x y 
0 4 1 1

1 -1 2 5

2 -12 3 14

3 -29 4 30

4 -52 5 55

5 -81 6 91

6 -116 7 140

7 -157 8 204

8 -204 9 285

i) i)

ii) ii)
iii) iii)
KEY FEATURES OF GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCIONS WITH ODD DEGREE

 Odd-degree polynomials have at least one zero, up to a maximum of n x-intercepts, where n is

the degree of the function.
 The domain is {x  R} and the range is {y  R}.
y

 They have no absolute maximum point and no absolute 

minimum point. 

 They may have point symmetry. 

Positive Leading Coefficient          

x

 Graph extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1.



OR “as x  -∞, y  -∞” and “as x  ∞, y  ∞” 



Negative Leading Coefficient



 Graph extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4. 

OR “as x  -∞, y  ∞” and “as x  ∞, y  -∞”

KEY FEATURES OF GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCIONS WITH EVEN DEGREE

 Even-degree polynomials may have no zeros or up to a maximum of n x-intercepts, where n is the

degree of the function.
 The domain is {x  R}. y

 They may have line symmetry.









Positive Leading Coefficient




x

                       

 Graph extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1. 

OR “as x  -∞, y  ∞” and “as x  ∞, y  ∞”







 The range is {y  R, y  a}, where a is the absolute minimum 

value of the function.





 It will have at least one minimum point. 





Negative Leading Coefficient 

 Graph extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 4.

OR “as x  -∞, y  -∞” and “as x  ∞, y  -∞”

 The range is {y  R, y  a}, where a is the absolute maximum value of the function.
 It will have at least one maximum point.
Example- Determine the key features of the graph of each polynomial. Use these key features
to match each function with its graph. State the number of x-intercepts, the number of
maximum and minimum points and the number of local maximum and minimum points for the
graph of each function.
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 4 + 10𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 - 4
c) ℎ(𝑥) = −2𝑥 5 + 5𝑥 3 − 𝑥 d) 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥 6 − 16𝑥 2 + 3

y y

 

 

 

 

x x

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 y
 y





















x
x
          
          























MHF4U 1.3 EQUATIONS & GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

 The graph of a polynomial function can be sketched using the x-intercepts, the degree of the
function, and the sign of the leading coefficient.

 The x-intercepts of the graph of a polynomial function are the roots of the corresponding
polynomial equation.

 When a polynomial function is in factored form, the zeros can be easily determined from the
factors. When a factor is repeated n times, the corresponding zero has order n.
Example: The function f(x) = (x -1)2 (x + 3) has zeros at 1 and -3. However since the factor
(x – 1) is repeated twice, x = 1 is a zero of order 2.

 The graph of a polynomial function changes sign (y coordinates change sign) only at zeros of odd
order. At zeros of even order, the graph touches but does not cross the x-axis.
Example: The function f(x) = (x -1)2 (x + 3) has zeros at 1 and -3. However since the factor
(x – 1) is repeated twice, x = 1 is a zero of order 2 and the graph would touch the x-axis at this
point, but not cross it.
 y



 x = 1 has order 2

Sign of the function does not
change (function does not


x =- 3 has order 1 

cross the x-axis)

Sign of the function changes 

(function crosses the x-axis) x

          















* The higher the order number, the flatter the graph will be near the x-axis.


y = x^2 y
y = x^4
y = x^6
y = x^8


       


Example 1: For the following graphs of a polynomial functions, determine

a) the least possible degree and sign of the leading coefficient

b) the x-intercepts and the factors of the function. (Include order in you r answer)
c) the intervals where the function is positive and the intervals where it is negative
d) an equation for the polynomial function that corresponds to the graph

i)
y ii)
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-1
-2
-3
Example 2: Sketch a graph of the following polynomial functions defined by

a) y = -2(x + 1)2(x – 2)

Degree Leading Coefficient End Behavior Zeros Y-intercept

b) y = (x – 1)2(x + 2) (x + 4)

Degree Leading Coefficient End Behavior Zeros Y-intercept

y y

x x
EVEN FUNCTIONS:

 An even-degree polynomial function is an even function if the exponent of each term is even.
An even function satisfies the property f(-x) = f(x) for all x in its domain and is symmetric
about the y-axis. Examples: f(x) = 3x4 + 2x2 and f(x) = -2x6 + x4 – 5x2




The function f(x) = 2x6- x4 + 3x2 - 8 is
an even function.


          











* When a constant is added to an even function, the function remains even.

Examples of other even functions that are not polynomial functions:

f(x) = cosx f(x) = x

ODD FUNCTIONS:

 An odd-degree polynomial function is an odd function if the exponent of each term is odd.
An odd function satisfies the property f(-x) = -f(x) for all x in its domain and is rotationally
symmetric about the origin. Examples: f(x) = 2x3 – 4x and f(x) = x7 + 6x5 – x





 The function f(x) = 2x5 - x3 + 3x

 is an odd function.


          

















* When a constant is added to an odd function, the function is no longer odd. This is because
f(-x)  -f(x)

Examples of other odd functions that are not polynomial functions:

1
f(x) = sinx f(x) 
x

Example 3: Without graphing, determine if each polynomial function has line symmetry in the y-
axis, point symmetry about the origin, or neither. Verify your response.

a) f(x) = -5x4 + 3x2 – 4 b) g(x) = x(2x + 3)(x - 2)

MHF4U 1.4 TRANSFORMATIONS

 The graph of a function of the form y = af[k(x – d)]n + c is obtained by applying

transformations to the power function y = xn, where n is a non-negative integer, η  Ν.
 The parameters a, k, d, and c correspond to the following transformations:
 a corresponds to a vertical stretch (if a > 1) or compression (if 0 < a < 1) by a factor
of a and, if a < 0, a reflection in the x-axis.
 k corresponds to a horizontal stretch (if 0 < k < 1) or compression (if k > 1) by a factor
1
of and, if k < 0, a reflection in the y-axis.
k
 c corresponds to a vertical translation up (if c > 0) or down ( if c < 0)

 d corresponds to a horizontal translation to the left (if d < 0) or right (if d > 0)

An accurate sketch of the transformed graph is obtained by applying the transformations

represented by a and k before the transformations represented by c and d.

EVEN-DEGREE POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

When n is even, the graphs of the polynomial functions of the form y = a[k(x – d)]n + c are
even-degree polynomial functions and have a vertex at (d, c). The axis of symmetry is x = d.
 For a > 0, the graph opens upward, so the graph extends from Q2 to Q1. The vertex is the
minimum point on the graph and c is the minimum value. The range is {y   , y  c}.
 For a < 0, the graph opens downward, so the graph extends from Q3 to Q4. The vertex is the
maximum point on the graph and c is the maximum value. The range is {y   , y  c}.

y y
 

 

 


a>0 , minimum 


vertex (3,4) 

 a < 0, maximum 



vertex (3, 4) 





x

x
                       
                        
 

 

 

 

 

 

 










ODD-DEGREE POWER FUNCTIONS

When n is odd, the graphs of the polynomial functions of the form y = a[k(x – d)]n + c are
odd-degree polynomial functions and have point symmetry at (d, c). When n is odd in a power
function, a vertical reflection (reflection in x-axis) coincides with a horizontal reflection (reflection
in y-axis).
Example 1: Given a base function of y = x4,

a) State the parameters and the corresponding transformations required to obtain the graph
4
1 
of y  2 (x  4)  1 .
3 

4
1 
b) Sketch the graph of y  2 (x  4)  1 .
3 

c) State the domain, range, vertex, and equation of the axis of symmetry for the
transformed function.
Example 2: Given a base function of y = x3,

a) State the parameters and the corresponding transformations required to obtain the graph
of y  3 2(x  1)3  5 .

b) Sketch the graph of y  3 2(x  1)3  5 .











       











c) State the point of symmetry and the domain and range for the transformed function.
Example 3: Describe the transformations that must be applied to the graph of each power
function, f(x), to obtain the transformed function. Then, write the corresponding equation of
the transformed function. State the domain and range for each transformed function, and
state the vertex and equation of the axis of symmetry for any even-degree functions and the
point of symmetry for any odd-degree functions.
4  1 
a) f(x) = x5, y = -1/2f(3x – 6) b) g(x) = x6, y  g  (x  5)  1
3  3 

Example 4: Transformations are applied to the power function y = x3 to obtain the given f(x)
graph. Determine an equation for the transformed function, f(x). State its domain and range.

y = x3
y
f(x)


       









Example 5: The function f(x) = x4 is reflected in the x-axis, stretched vertically by a factor of
3.5, compressed horizontally by a factor of 2/3, translated 6 units to the right and 7 units
down. Write an equation representing the transformed function. Then state the domain and
range, the vertex, and the equation of the axis of symmetry.