Translation of the function
Let’s assume that (1, 7), (3, 10) and (9, 12) are on the graph of the function, f(x).
There is another function: g(x) = f(x - 4)
x = 5, then g(5) = f(1) = 7; It means (5, 7) is on g(x).
x = 7, then g(7) = f(3) = 10; It means (7, 10) is on g(x).
x = 13, then g(13) = f(9) = 12; It means (13, 12) is on g(x).
Let’s compare two functions:
f(x) f(x) (1, 7) (3, 10) (9, 12)
g(x) f(x – 4) (5, 7) (7, 10) (13. 12)
If we focus on position of the points on xy-plane: y
(9, 12) (13, 12)
(3, 10) (7, 10)
(1, 7) (5, 7)
After observation, it is easily seems that given all 3 points shifted 4 units to right. Graph of function
consists of points. It means all graph of f(x) shifted 4 units right.
Conclusion: f(x – a) is translation of the graph of the f(x) a units to right. After a small smart step, it is
easy to claim that f(x + a) is translation of the graph of the f(x) a units to left.
Example 10:
X-intercepts of a function, f(x) are at x = 3 and x = 7. What is the x-intercepts of the
g(x) = f(x + 2)?
Solution: If g(x) = f(x + 2), it means graph of the f(x) shift 2 units to the left. Points (3, 0) and (7, 0)
translate to (1, 0) and (5, 0).
Let’s “jump” to next translation:
Let’s assume that (3, 1), (5, 3) and (8, 5) is on the graph of the function, f(x).
There is another function: g(x) = f(x) + 1
x = 3, then g(3) = f(3) + 1 = 2; It means (3, 2) is on g(x).
x = 5, then g(5) = f(5) + 1 = 4; It means (5, 4) is on g(x).
x = 8, then g(8) = f(8) + 1 = 6; It means (8, 6) is on g(x).
Let’s compare two functions:
f(x) f(x) (3, 1) (5, 3) (8, 5)
g(x) f(x) + 1 (3, 2) (5, 4) (8, 6)
If we focus on position of the points on xy-plane:
y
(8, 6)
(5, 4) (8, 5)
(3, 2)
(5, 3)
(3, 1)
x
After observation, it is easily seems that given all 3 points shifted 1 units up. Graph of function consists
of points. It means all graph of f(x) shifted 1 unit up.
Conclusion: f(x) + n is translation of the graph of the f(x) n units up. After a small smart step, it is easy
to claim that f(x) – n is translation of the graph of the f(x) n units down.
Example 11:
Maximum value of f(x) is 7. What is the maximum value of g(x) = f(x) – 3?
Solution: If g(x) = f(x) – 3, it means graph of f(x) shift 3 units down. Max g(x) = max f(x) – 3 = 7 – 3 =
4.
Translation of a line
Example 12:
f(x) = 3x + 4 is a line. If f(x) shift 5 units left, what is the y-coordinate of y-intercept of the line?
Solution: Shifting 5 units left means: g(x) = f(x + 5) = 3(x + 5) + 4 = 3x + 15 + 4 =3x + 19;
Y –intercept of g(x) is 19.
Example 13:
f(x) = 2x + 1 is a line. If f(x) translated 7 units up, what is the x-coordinate of x-intercept of the line?
Solution: Shifting 7 units up means: g(x) = f(x) + 7 = 2x + 1 + 7 = 2x + 8. For finding x-intercept:
2x + 8 = 0, then x = -4;
Translation of Parabola (vertex form)
Graph of f(x) = x2 is called parabola.
Example 13:
f(x) = x2 is a parabola. If the graph of the function shift 3 units left and 2 units down. Estimate
equation of the final graph?
Solution: Shifting 3 units left means: g(x) = f(x + 3) = (x + 3)2;
Shifting 2 units down of g(x) means: p(x) = g(x) – 2 = (x + 3)2 – 2
Translation of simple Exponential functions
Example 14:
f(x) = 12∙2x is an exponential function. If f(x) shifts 2 units right, what is the y-intercept of the
function?
Solution: Shifting 2 units right means: g(x) = f(x – 2) =12∙ 2x -2;
Y-intercept of g(x): g(0) = 12∙2-2 = 3;
Reflection of the graph of functions
Y-reflection: We use same strategy. Let’s take a point (3, 4). Its y reflection will be (-3, 4):
y
(-3, 4) (3, 4)
After a quick look, we are able to claim that, while y-reflection sign of x-coordinate of the points will
change. Graph of the function consists of points, then y-reflection of f(x) will be f(-x).
Example 15:
f(x) = 3x + 4 is a line. Which of the following is y-reflection of the line?
A) g(x) = 3x – 4
B) g(x) = -3x – 4
C) g(x) = -3x + 4
D) g(x) = 3x + 4
Solution: Answer is C. Because y-reflection of f(x) is f(-x), then : f(-x) = -3x + 4;
X-reflection: We use same strategy. Let’s take a point (3, 4). Its x reflection will be (3, -4):
(3, 4)
x
(3, -4)
After a quick look, we are able to claim that, while x-reflection sign of y-coordinate of the points will
change. Graph of the function consists of points, then y-reflection of f(x) will be -f(x).
Example 16:
y
The graph of f(x) is given. Which of the following is the graph of g(x) = -f(x)?
A) y B) y
x x
C) y D) y
x x
Solution: Answer is D. While x-reflection ( -f(x)), sign of y-intercept must be change. A, B and C are
eliminate.
