GCSE :: Graph Transformations

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Dr J Frost ([email protected])
@DrFrostMaths

Last modified: 29th January 2020

RECAP :: What are Functions?
A function is something which provides a rule on how to map inputs to
outputs.
From primary school you might have seen this as a ‘number machine’.

Input Output

𝑥 𝑓 2𝑥

Input Output
Name of the function
(usually or )
?
𝑓 ( 𝑥)=2 𝑥
RECAP :: Using Functions

Let be a function where .

? We’re making the input

3, so substitute each
? instance of for 3.
?
? Don’t be upset by the fact
we’re substituting in an
algebraic expression
rather than a number. The
principle remains the
same: we replace each in
the expression with .
Transformations of Functions
Suppose Then ?

Sketch Sketch :

𝑦 𝑦

+2 2
)
(𝑥
𝑥2

𝑦=
𝑦=

𝑥 𝑥
−2

What do you notice about the relationship between the

graphs of and ?
The graph/line has translated 2 units to the left.
?
Transformations of Functions
We saw that sketching decreases the values by 2 relative to .
Can we come with rules more generally for how modifications inside and outside of the
will affect the graph?

!
Affects which axis? What we expect or opposite?
Change inside 𝑥 Opposite
Change outside 𝑦 What we expect

?
Hence describe the transformation from to:
? ??
Translation by
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥+2 ) ? (i.e. reduce values by 2)
Translation by
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥) + 3 ? (i.e. increase values by 3)
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 −1 ) Translation by ? (i.e. increase values by 1)
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) −5 Translation by
? (i.e. reduce values by 5)
SKILL #1 :: Effect on specific points
Sometimes an exam question might just ask you to determine the effect of
the graph transformation on a single point.

Change: Affects:
Inside values Opposite
Outside values What we expect

The -5 is inside the function, so

affects the values and ‘does
the opposite’, i.e. we +5 to .
3 ? -1
The value is unaffected.
Further Exam Example

Edexcel

Change: Affects:
Inside values Opposite
Outside values What we expect

?
(5, -4)

?
(-2, 2)
Stretches*
We can use exactly the same rules as before!

Change: Affects:
Inside values Opposite
Outside values What we expect

The is outside the , so affects the

values and does what we expect, i.e.
multiplies them by 2.
The values are unaffected.

3 ? 10
Stretches*

Change: Affects:
Inside values Opposite
Outside values What we expect

The is inside the , so affects the

values and does what we expect, i.e.
divides them by 2.
The values are unaffected.

1.5 ? -4
Reflections

Change: Affects:
Inside values Opposite
Outside values What we expect

Note the change is inside .

The opposite of multiplying by -1 is
dividing by -1 (i.e. the same).
So we just negate the value (i.e. if
negative make it positive, and vice
versa).

-3 ? -4
Reflections

Change: Affects:
Inside values Opposite
Outside values What we expect

This time we negate the value.

! gives a reflection in the -axis (as the

values are negated)

2 ? 4
Mini-Exercise
What effect will the following transformations have on these points?

! a ? ? ?
b ? ? ?
c ? ? ?
d ? ? ?
e ? ? ?
f ? ? ?
g ? ? ?
SKILL #2 :: Sketching curves using transformations
[Edexcel GCSE(9-1) June 2018 1H Q18
Here is a sketch of , for

Exam Tip: The markscheme will

be checking whether your
transformed curve goes
through certain key points.
Pick key points on the graph
that have nice coordinates
(e.g. ) to transform. Only then,
join these up.

On the graph, draw the curve with equation

Note the +2 is outside the sin function.

Test Your Understanding
SKILL #3 :: Describing Transforms

𝒙)
𝒉 𝑮

𝒇(
𝒚=
𝒑
𝑮𝒓𝒂

The blue graph shows the line with equation .

What is the equation of graph G, in terms of ?

The graph has moved 5 units to the left, so:

?
Quickfire Describing Transforms
Given the blue graph has equation , determine the equation of the red graph.

? 2)
𝑦= 𝑓 (𝑥−
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥?) + 2

𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 2?𝑥 ) 𝑦=𝑓 ( 1
2 ?
𝑥)+1
Exercise (on provided sheet)

The diagram shows part of the curve with equation

.The minimum point of the curve is at (2,–1)
Write down the coordinates of the minimum point of the curve
with equation
Exercise (on provided sheet)

The diagram shows part of the curve with equation

. The minimum point of the curve is at (2,–1)
Write down the coordinates of the minimum point of the
curve with equation
Exercise (on provided sheet)

The diagram shows part of the curve with equation

The coordinates of the maximum point of the curve are .
Write down the coordinates of the maximum point of the curve with equation
Exercise (on provided sheet)

4 The curve with equation has a maximum point

at .
Find the coordinates of the minimum point of
the curve with equation
Exercise (on provided sheet)

5 Here is the graph of for

In , the graph of has a maximum at the point .

Write down the coordinates of .
Exercise (on provided sheet)

6 The graph of is shown on the grid.

The graph of has a turning point at the point . Write down the coordinates of
the turning point of the graph of
Exercise (on provided sheet)

7
The diagram shows part of the curve with
equation The coordinates of the maximum
point of the curve are . The curve with
equation is transformed to give the curve with
equation
Describe the transformation.
Exercise (on provided sheet)

8 The graph of is shown on the grid.

Graph is a translation of the graph of .

Write down the equation of graph .
Exercise (on provided sheet)

9 The graph of is shown on the grid.

Graph is a reflection of the graph of .

Write down the equation of graph .
Exercise (on provided sheet)

10 This is a sketch of the curve with equation .

It passes through the origin .

The only vertex of the curve is at .

The curve with equation has been translated to give the curve .
Find in terms of .
Exercise (on provided sheet)

11 Here is the graph of

On the grid, draw the graph of
Exercise (on provided sheet)

12 Here is the graph of

On the grid, draw the graph of
Exercise (on provided sheet)

13 The coordinates of the turning point of the graph of is .

Hence describe the single transformation which maps the graph of onto the
graph of .
Exercise (on provided sheet)

Here is the graph of , where

14
Match the following graphs to the equations.

Equation Graph
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
Exercise (on provided sheet)

Here is a sketch of the curve y = a cos bx° + c,

15
0 ≤ x ≤ 360

Find the values of a, b and c.