Kunkel’s Math 140 (Precalculus College Algebra) Notes

U1-7 : Transformations of Functions

Corresponding Textbook Sections: 3.5
o Toolbox Function Review
o Translations (or Shifts)
o Dilations (or Stretches/Shrinks)
o Reflections
o Transforming Functions

Toolbox Function Review

1. Linear or Identity

Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥
Range: (−∞, ∞)

2. Square Root

Domain: [0, ∞)
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = √𝑥𝑥
Range: [0, ∞)

3. Squaring

Domain: (−∞, ∞)
2
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥
Range: [0, ∞)

4. Cube Root

Domain: (−∞, ∞)
3
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = √𝑥𝑥
Range: (−∞, ∞)

5. Cubing

Domain: (−∞, ∞)
3
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥
Range: (−∞, ∞)

Unit 1-7, Page 1

 6. Absolute Value

Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = |𝑥𝑥|
Range: [0, ∞)

7. Reciprocal

Domain: (−∞, 0) ∪ (0, ∞)

1
Eqn: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥
Range: (−∞, 0) ∪ (0, ∞)

Calculator Reminders:
 Absolute Value: ‘MATH’ > ‘NUM’ : abs
3
 Cube Root: ‘MATH’ : √
 Fraction Template: ‘ALPHA’ ‘𝑦𝑦 =’ :

Translations (or Shifts)

A translation to a graph moves the entire graph vertically (up or down) and/or horizontally (left
or right).

Vertical Shifts:
Moves the entire graph up or down by a certain amount.
Add or Subtract on the OUTSIDE

Horizontal Shifts:
Moves the entire graph left or right by a certain amount.
Add or Subtract on the INSIDE

Example: State the parent function. Describe the transformation.

1. 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 3) + 2

2. 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 + 4)2 − 5

Unit 1-7, Page 2

Dilations (or Stretches/Shrinks)
A dilation to a graph either stretches farther from the axis or shrinks closer to the axis in either
the vertical (𝑥𝑥-axis reference) direction or the horizontal (𝑦𝑦-axis reference) direction.

Vertical Dilation:
Moves away or toward the 𝑥𝑥-axis.
• Large numbers stretch away
Factor is bigger than 1 and OUTSIDE
• Small numbers shrink towards
Factor is smaller than 1 and OUTSIDE

Horizontal Dilation:
Moves away or toward the 𝑦𝑦-axis.
• Large numbers shrink toward
Factor is bigger than 1 and INSIDE
• Small numbers stretch away
Factor is smaller than 1 and INSIDE

Example: State the parent function. Describe the transformation.

1
1. 𝑦𝑦 = 3 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)

2. 𝑦𝑦 = √5𝑥𝑥

3. 𝑦𝑦 = 2(𝑥𝑥 − 4)3 + 3

4. 𝑦𝑦 = 2 𝑓𝑓(3𝑥𝑥) + 1

Unit 1-7, Page 3

Reflections
A reflection to a graph creates a new mirrored image across a mirror line (either the 𝑥𝑥-axis or
the 𝑦𝑦-axis)

Vertical Reflection:
Flip the original image up-side-down
• Negative sign is on the OUTSIDE
𝑥𝑥-axis Reflection (or across/about the 𝑥𝑥-axis)

Horizontal Reflection:
Flips the original image sideways (mirror image)
• Negative sign is on the INSIDE
𝑦𝑦-axis Reflection (or across/about the 𝑦𝑦-axis)

Example: State the parent function. Describe the transformation.

1. 𝑦𝑦 = −𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + 2)

2. 𝑦𝑦 = −2 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 5) + 1

3. 𝑦𝑦 = √−𝑥𝑥 + 3

4. 𝑦𝑦 = −3(𝑥𝑥 + 1)2 − 2

Unit 1-7, Page 4

Transforming Functions
Traditionally, there is an inherent order to which you perform the transformations. (This order
mimics ‘Order of Operations’ if all transformations are present.)
1. Translate Left or Right
2. Horizontal Stretch or Shrink
3. Horizontal Reflect (flip sideways)
4. Vertical Stretch or Shrink
5. Vertical Reflect (flip up-side-down)
6. Translate Up or Down

Process Method for Finding a New Location (original point to new point):
• Find a New 𝒙𝒙-value: Set the INSIDE equal to the original 𝑥𝑥 and solve. (The
solving will do the traditional 1, 2, 3 in that order)
• Find a New 𝒚𝒚-value: Replace the function activity with the original 𝑦𝑦 and
simplify. (The solving will do the traditional 4, 5, 6 in that order)

Examples: Given a general transformation and a point to move, find the new point.
1. 𝑦𝑦 = −3 𝑓𝑓(2𝑥𝑥 + 1) + 5 and point (3, −7)

2. 𝑦𝑦 = 5 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 1) + 2 and point (1, −4)

1
3. 𝑦𝑦 = 2 𝑓𝑓(−𝑥𝑥 − 3) + 1 and graph

Point New 𝒙𝒙 New 𝒚𝒚

Unit 1-7, Page 5

 U1-7 : Homework Problems
Circle the Transformations which take place on the general function.

1. 𝑦𝑦 = 3𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 2) + 4 2. 𝑦𝑦 = −𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + 3)

Left Right Up Down Left Right Up Down

Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦 Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Stretch Shrink Stretch Shrink

1 4. 𝑦𝑦 = −4𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + 6) − 5
3. 𝑦𝑦 = 2 𝑓𝑓(−𝑥𝑥) + 8

Left Right Up Down

Left Right Up Down
Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Stretch Shrink
Stretch Shrink

Identify the parent function and Circle the Transformations which take place.

5. 𝑦𝑦 = −3𝑥𝑥 − 8 6. 𝑦𝑦 = −2|𝑥𝑥 + 6| − 1

Parent: _________________ Parent: _________________

Left Right Up Down Left Right Up Down

Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦 Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Stretch Shrink Stretch Shrink

1
7. 𝑦𝑦 = 4√−𝑥𝑥 + 7 8. 𝑦𝑦 = 3 (𝑥𝑥 − 1)3 − 5

Parent: _________________ Parent: _________________

Left Right Up Down Left Right Up Down

Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦 Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Stretch Shrink Stretch Shrink

Unit 1-7, Page 6

Write a General Equation with the Transformations described.

9. Shift Up 7 10. Shift Up 4

Shift Left 3 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Stretch by 2

11. Shrink by 1/3 12. Shift Down 3

Shift Down 5 Shift Right 6
Shift Left 2 Stretch by 8

Given the Parent Function, write an equation with the Transformation described.

13. Parent: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 2 14. Parent: 𝑦𝑦 = √𝑥𝑥

3

Stretch by 7 Shift Up 2
Shift Up 2 Shift Left 8
Shift Right 4 Stretch by 3

15. Parent: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 16. Parent: 𝑦𝑦 = |𝑥𝑥|

Shift Down 3 Shift Up 6

Stretch by 9 Reflect-𝑥𝑥
Shift Right 5

17. Parent: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 3 18. Parent: 𝑦𝑦 = √𝑥𝑥

Reflect-𝑥𝑥 Reflect-𝑦𝑦
Shift Left 6 Shrink by 2/5
Shrink by 1/4 Shift Up 2

Unit 1-7, Page 7

Use the given general transformation to relocate each point.

19. 𝑦𝑦 = −𝑓𝑓(2𝑥𝑥) + 3 20. 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 7) + 1 21. 𝑦𝑦 = −𝑓𝑓(−𝑥𝑥) − 4

(6, 2) → (−2, 4) → (−8, 1) →

22. 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + 2) 23. 𝑦𝑦 = −3𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) − 1 24. 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑓𝑓(5𝑥𝑥) − 3

(4, 3) → (9, −6) → (0, −1) →

Use the general transformation to relocate the given graphs. Plot its points and sketch the graph on the
same set of axis.

25. 𝑦𝑦 = −𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + 1) + 2 26. 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(2𝑥𝑥) − 3

27. 𝑦𝑦 = −𝑓𝑓(−𝑥𝑥) 28. 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 + 3) + 2

Unit 1-7, Page 8

Unit 1-7, Page 9