TRANSFORMATION

OF FUNCTIONS
By Binita Bhatia
Learning objectives

■ Learn the meaning of transformations

■ Identify and Graph functions using vertical or horizontal shifts
■ Identify and Graph functions using reflections about the x -axis and the y -axis.
■ Identify and Graph functions using compressions and stretches.
Transformation

■ When certain operations are performed on a given function f, then a new function is
formed and the graph of this new function is called a transformation of the graph of
f.
Relation between two function f(x) –
Vertical Translation
y=f(x) and y=f(x)±b
2 2
y=𝑥 and y=𝑥 ±2
x y=𝑥 2 y=𝑥 2 +2 y=𝑥 2 -2

-2 4 6 2
-1 1 3 -1
0 0 2 -2
y=𝑥 2
1 1 3 -1 y=𝑥 2 +2
2 4 6 2 y=𝑥 2 -2

▪ Therefore, the graph of y=𝑥 2 +2 shifted two units up.

And, the graph of y=𝑥 2 -2 shifted two units down.
Horizontal Translation
y= f(x) and y=f(x±a)

y=𝑥 2 and y=(𝑥±2)2

x y=𝑥 2 y=(𝑥 − 2)2 y=(𝑥 + 2)2

-3 9 25 1
-2 4 16 0
-1 1 9 1
0 0 4 4
1 1 1 9 y=𝑥 2
y=(𝑥 − 2)2
2 4 0 16 y=(𝑥 + 2)2
3 9 1 25
▪ Therefore, the graph of y=(𝑥 − 2)2 shifted two units to the right.
And, the graph of y=(𝑥 + 2)2 shifted two units to the left.
 x -2 -1 0 1 2

y= f(x)= 𝑥 𝑥 Error Error 0 1 2

- 𝑥 Error Error 0 -1
Vertical Reflections
- 2
−𝑥 2 1 0 Error Error

y= f(-x)
y = −𝑥 −𝑥
𝑥

Horizontal Reflections
y= -f(x)
y=- 𝑥 − 𝑥

■ y= -f(x) represents a reflection of f(x) about the x–axis.

■ y= f(-x) represents a reflection of f(x)about the y-axis
Dilations
and

■ If we multiply a function by a non-zero real number it has the effect of either

stretching or compressing the function because it causes the function value (the y
value) to be multiplied by that number.

Let's try some functions multiplied by non-zero real numbers

to see this.
Stretch and Compressed vertically by a
factor of p
y = pf(x)
y=3f(x) = 3sin(x)
x y=sinx y=3sin(x) 1
y=3sin(x)

0 0 0 0
𝜋 1 3 1
2 3
0 0 0
3 -1 -3 −1
2 3 y=sin(𝑥)
2 0 0 0 y=3 sin 𝑥
y=1 sin 𝑥
3
■ If p >1 the function gets "taller“(stretched) if p <1 the function gets "shorter.“ (compressed)
Stretch and Compressed horizontally by a
factor of q
x y=sinx y=sin(3x) 1

y = f(qx) y=sin( x)
3

𝑥 0 0 0 0
y=f( ) = f(3x) =sin(3x) 𝜋
= 0.52 0.5 1 0.174
1/3 6
𝜋
= 1.05
3
=0.866 0 0.34
3 2

𝜋 1 -1 0.5
= 1.57
2
2𝜋 3 0 0.643
= 2.09 =0.866
3 2

5𝜋 0.5 1 0.766
y =sin(x) = 2.62
6
y=sin(3x)
y=sin(1 x) = 3.14 0 0 3
=0.866
3 2

■ When q >1 the function will get "longer" (stretched) and when q < 1 the function will "squish“ (compressed)
Transformations of function f(x)
Type of Transformation Equation Result
Moves the function b units, |b| units up
Vertical Translation y=f(x)+b
(b>0) or down (b<0)
Moves the function a units, |a| units left
Horizontal Translation y=f(x−a)
(a>0) or right (a<0)
Vertical Reflection y=f(-x) Reflects the function over the y-axis

Horizontal Reflection y=-f(x) Reflects the function over the x-axis

Vertical Stretch y=pf(x) (p>0), multiply vertical scale by p

Horizontal Stretch y=f(x/q) (q>0), divide horizontal scale by q

(0<|p|<1), multiply vertical scale by p
Vertical Compression y=pf(x)

Horizontal Compression y=f(x/q) (0<|q|<1), divide horizontal scale by q

Exercise

■ Graph of y= 𝑥 3 , what is the graph of y= (𝑥 − 2)3

Horizontal translation

■ Graph of y= 𝑥 3 , what is the graph of y= (𝑥 − 2)3

■ Graph of y=g(x), what is the graph of y=g(x)-6
Vertical Translation

■ Graph of y=g(x), what is the graph of y=g(x)-6

■ Graph of y=f(x), what is the graph of y=f(-x)
Vertical Reflection

■ Graph of y=f(x), what is the graph of y=f(-x)

The point (-12, 4) is on the graph of y =
f(x). Find a point on the graph of y = g(x).

■ g(x) = f(x-2)

■ g(x)= 4f(x)

■ g(x) = f(½x)

■ g(x) = -f(x)
The point (-12, 4) is on the graph of y =
f(x). Find a point on the graph of y = g(x).

■ g(x) = f(x-2) ■ (-10, 4)

■ g(x)= 4f(x) ■ (-12, 16)

■ g(x) = f(½x) ■ (-24, 4)

■ g(x) = -f(x) ■ (-12, -4)

What did we learn…

■ How to identify transformations that have:

1. Horizontal and Vertical Translations
2. Reflections about the x-axis and y-axis
3. Stretching or Compressing of functions
Thank you.