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3.3 Graph Transformations

This document discusses graph transformations including translation, reflection, and stretching of graphs. It provides examples of translating graphs by adding or subtracting values inside and outside parentheses, reflects graphs across the x-axis and y-axis, and stretches graphs by multiplying the function by a scale factor inside and outside parentheses. Self-check questions with examples of applying these transformations are also included.

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27 views11 pages

3.3 Graph Transformations

This document discusses graph transformations including translation, reflection, and stretching of graphs. It provides examples of translating graphs by adding or subtracting values inside and outside parentheses, reflects graphs across the x-axis and y-axis, and stretches graphs by multiplying the function by a scale factor inside and outside parentheses. Self-check questions with examples of applying these transformations are also included.

Uploaded by

sh.upasana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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iGCSE Mathematics | X801

Topic 3I
Graph
Transformations

Unit Three:
Sequences,
Functions
& Graphs
Objectives
By the end of this section you will be able to:

Translate, reflect and stretch graphs.

A graph can be stretched, reflected or translated (moved) to give a


new graph.

Translation
When a graph is translated the shape of the graph stays the same,
it just moves.

If y = f(x) is the original graph:

f(x) + a moves the graph in the y direction. If a is positive


the graph moves up. If a is negative then the graph
moves down.

f(x + a) moves the graph in the x direction. If a is positive the


graph moves to the left. If a is negative then the graph
moves to the right.

The second one is a bit tricky to get your head around.

Instinctively, when you see +a you want the graph to move to the
right, so the trick here is if a is inside the brackets always do the
opposite to what you want to do.
Examples
Describe the transformation shown by f(x) + 2

As the +2 is outside the brackets, the graph will move in


the y direction. The graph f(x) moves 2 units up.

Describe the transformation shown by f(x)-3

As the -3 is outside the brackets, the graph will move in the y


direction. The graph f(x) moves 3 units down.

Describe the transformation shown by f(x+7)

As the +7 is inside the brackets, the graph will move in the x


direction Instinctively we want the graph to move to the right
as it is +7 but as it is inside the brackets we must do exactly
the opposite of what we want. So the graph will move 7 units
to the left.

Describe the transformation shown by f(x-4)

As the -4 is inside the brackets, the graph will move in


the x direction.
Examples
The graph below shows f(x) = sinx

-360° -180° 180° 360°

-1

a) Draw f(x – 45).

As it is inside the brackets, the graph will move 45 units


to the right:
45° 135° 225° 315°

-360° -180° 180° 360°

-1
f(x – 45)

b) Draw f(x) – 1.

Example continues
As it is outside the brackets, the graph will move down 1 unit:

-360° -180° 180° 360°

-1

f(x) – 1

Reflections
Graphs can be reflected in the x axis or the y axis.

If y = f(x) is the original graph:

y = – f(x) if there is a minus sign in front of f(x) then the graph is
reflected in the x axis.

y = f(-x) if there is a minus sign inside the bracket f(-x) then the
graph is reflected in the y axis.

If a point doesn’t change during the transformation we call it an


invariant point.
Example
The diagram shows the graph of y = sin(x – 45°) for
-180° ≤ x ≤180°.

y = sin(x – 45°)
1

-180° -90° 90° 180°

-1

Draw the following graphs:

y = sin(x – 45°)
a) y = sin(-x – 45°) 1

y = sin(-x – 45°) is a

reflection in the y axis.
-180° -90° 90° 180°

-1 y = sin(-x – 45°)

y = sin(x – 45°)
a) y = -sin(x – 45°) 1

y = -sin(x – 45°) is a

reflection in the x axis.
-180° -90° 90° 180°

-1
y = -sin(x – 45°)
Stretches
Graphs of fuctions can be stretched in the direction parallel to the
x or y axis.

If y = f(x) is the original graph:

y = af(x) is the stretch by a scale factor of a in the y direction.


If a is negative then the graph is reflected in the x axis
as well.
1
y = f(ax) is the stretch by a scale factor of a
in the x direction.
If a is negative then the graph is reflected in the y axis
as well.

Again the second one is a bit tricky. As mentioned before,


instinctively when you see f(ax), you want the graph to stretch
by a scale factor of a in the x direction, so again as a is inside the
1
brackets we do the oppsite and stretch it by a scale factor of .
a

Example
The graph below shows f(x) = sinx

-360° -180° 180° 360°

-1

Example continues
a) Draw f(2x).

As it is inside the brackets we stretch the graph in the


1
x direction by a scale factor of .
2

f(2x) = sin(2x)

1 y = sin2x

-360° -180° 180° 360°

-1

b) Draw 2f(x).

As it is outside of the bracket we stretch the graph in the


y direction by a scale factor of 2.

2f(x) = 2sin(x)

2
y = 2sinx

-360° -180° 180° 360°

-2
Self-Check Question 1
Each of these functions is a translation of the function
y = x2. For each function, describe the translation and sketch
the graphs.

a) y = x2 + 1 b) y = x2 + 5
c) y = x2 – 2 d) y = (x – 4)2
e) y = (x + 1)2 f) y = (x + 1)2 – 2

Self-Check Question 2
Sketch the graphs of each of the following pairs of functions.
Use a single set of axes for each pair of graphs.
a) y = sinx, y = -sinx b) y = cosx, y = -cosx
1 1
c) y = x2, y = -x2 d) y = x , y = – x

Self-Check Question 3
The graph below shows the function y = f(x). The graph of each
of the following functions is a stretch of the graph of y = f(x).
In each case, describe the stretch and sketch the graph.
1
a) y = f(3x) b) y = f(5x) c) y = f( x)
2
1
d) y = f( x) e) y = 3f(x) f) y = 1.5f(x)
4
1 1
g) y = f(x) h) y = f(x)
3 10

Question continues
y = f(x) 6

-6 -4 -2 2 4 6
-2

-4

-6

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