Lesson 6.

4
Transformations of Exponential
and Logarithmic Functions
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Warm-Up

Describe the transformation of f represented by g.

f(x) = x2, g(x) = x2 + 3

f(x) = x3, g(x) = (x + 2)3 5

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Learning Target:
Describe and graph transformations of exponential and logarithmic
functions.

Success Criteria:
• I can describe transformations of exponential and logarithmic functions.
• I can graph transformations of exponential and logarithmic functions.
• I can write functions that represent transformations of exponential and
logarithmic functions.

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 Explore It! Identifying Transformations
Work with a partner. You can transform graphs of exponential and
logarithmic functions in the same way you transformed graphs of
functions previously. Each graph shown is a transformation of the
parent function
f(x) = ex or f(x) = ln x.
In parts (a)–(f), match each graph with one of the functions in the list
A. g(x) = ex + 2 − 3
at the left. Explain your reasoning. Then describe the transformation
B. g(x) = −ex + 2 + 1
of f represented by g.

C. g(x) = −ex − 2 + 3
D. g(x) = ex − 2 − 1 a. b. c.
E. g(x) = ln(x + 2)
F. g(x) = ln(x − 2)
G. g(x) = 2 + ln x
H. g(x) = 2 + ln(−x)

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 Explore It! Identifying Transformations
Work with a partner. In parts (a)–(f), match each graph with one of
A. g(x) = ex + 2 − 3 the functions in the list at the left. Explain your reasoning. Then
B. g(x) = −ex + 2 + 1
describe the transformation of f represented by g.

C. g(x) = −ex − 2 + 3
D. g(x) = ex − 2 − 1
d. e. f.

E. g(x) = ln(x + 2)
F. g(x) = ln(x − 2)
G. g(x) = 2 + ln x
H. g(x) = 2 + ln(−x)

MAKE A

graph of f(x) = ex. Write a rule for h. Then graph each function.
CONNECTION g. The graph of h is a translation 4 units right and 1 unit up of the
How can you use the
asymptotes to match
the functions and
graphs?

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Transforming Graphs of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
You can transform graphs of exponential and logarithmic functions in the same way

of the graph of f(x) = 4x are shown below.

you transformed graphs of functions in previous chapters. Examples of transformations

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KEY
IDEAS
Transformation f(x) Notation Examples
g(x) = 4x − 3
f(x − h)
g(x) = 4x + 2
Horizontal Translation 3 units right
Graph shifts left or right. 2 units left
g(x) = 4x + 5
f(x) + k
g(x) = 4x − 1
Vertical Translation 5 units up
Graph shifts up or down. 1 unit down
g(x) = 4−x
−f(x) g(x) = −4x
Reflection f(−x) in the y-axis
Graph flips over a line. in the x-axis

g(x) = 42x
Horizontal Stretch or Shrink shrink by a factor of
Graph stretches away from
g(x) = 4x/2
f(ax) stretch by a factor of 2
or shrinks toward y-axis
by a factor of .

g(x) = 3(4x)
Vertical Stretch or Shrink
a • f(x)
stretch by a factor of 3
Graph stretches away from
or shrinks toward x-axis g(x) = (4x) shrink by a factor of
by a factor of a.

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 Example 1 Translating an Exponential Function
x x
Describe the transformation of f(x) represented by g(x) 4. Then graph
each function.

SOLUTION
x
Notice that the function is of the form g(x) k.
Rewrite the function to identify k.
x
Notice in the graph that g(x) (4)
the vertical translation
also shifted the asymptote g f
range of g is y > 4.
4 units down, so the k
Because k 4, the graph of g
is a translation 4 units down of
the graph of f.

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Describe the transformation of f represented by g. Then graph each function.

2. f(x) = , g(x) =
1. f(x) = 3 , g(x) = 3 + 2
x x

3. f(x) = 0.5x, g(x) = 0.5x + 1 − 6 4. f(x) = 2x, g(x) = 2x − 3 + 1

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 Example 2 Translating a Natural Base Exponential Function

Describe the transformation of f(x) ex represented by g(x) ex 3

2. Then
graph each function.

SOLUTION

Notice that the function is of the form

g(x) ex h k. Rewrite the function to
identify h and k.
Notice in the graph that g(x) ex (3)
2 g
the vertical translation f
also shifted the
asymptote 2 units up, h k

of g is y > 2.
so the range

Because h = −3 and k = 2, the graph

of g is a translation 3 units left and
2 units up of the graph of f.

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 Example 3 Transforming Exponential Functions
Describe the transformation of f(x) represented by g(x) 4. Graph each
function. Determine when g is positive, negative, increasing, or decreasing.
Then describe the end behavior of g.

SOLUTION
Notice that the function is of the form g(x) k, where a
2 and k 4.
So, the graph of g is a horizontal shrink by a factor of ,
and a translation 4 units up of the graph of f.

Positive and Negative: The x-intercept is 1. The

function is positive when x 1 and negative when x 1.
USE Increasing and Decreasing: The function decreases
STRUCTURE
over its entire domain, all real numbers.
Show how to rewrite g
to identify the percent
rate of change. End Behavior: The graph has a horizontal asymptote of y 4. From the
graph, you can see that y as x and y as x .
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Describe the transformation of f represented by g. Then graph each function.

5. f(x) = ex, g(x) = ex − 3

6. f(x) = e−x, g(x) = e−x − 5

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7. Describe the transformation of f(x) = 0.4x represented by g(x) = 0.4−2x − 1. Graph each
function. Determine when g is positive, negative, increasing, or decreasing. Then
describe the end behavior of g.

8. Given the function f(x) = abx − h + k, describe the effects of a, h, and k on the graph of
the function.

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KEY
Examples of transformations of the graph of f(x) = log x are shown below.
IDEAS
Transformation f(x) Notation Examples
g(x) = log(x − 4)
f(x − h)
g(x) = log(x + 7)
Horizontal Translation 4 units right
Graph shifts left or right. 7 units left
g(x) = log x + 3
f(x) + k
g(x) = log x − 1
Vertical Translation 3 units up
Graph shifts up or down. 1 unit down
g(x) = log(−x)
−f(x) g(x) = −log x
Reflection f(−x) in the y-axis
Graph flips over a line. in the x-axis

g(x) = log(4x)
Horizontal Stretch or Shrink shrink by a factor of
Graph stretches away from or
g(x) = log
f(ax) stretch by a factor of 3
shrinks toward y-axis
by a factor of .

g(x) = 5 log x
Vertical Stretch or Shrink
a • f(x)
stretch by a factor of 5
Graph stretches away from or
shrinks toward x-axis by a g(x) = log x shrink by a factor of
factor of a.

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Example 4 Transforming Logarithmic Functions
Describe the transformation of f(x) log 1/2
x represented by g(x) log (x 1/2
4).
Graph each function. Determine when g is positive, negative, increasing, or
decreasing. Then describe the end behavior of g.
SOLUTION
Notice that the function is of the form g(x) log (x1/2 h),
where a 2 and h 4.
So, the graph of g is a horizontal translation 4 units left
and a vertical stretch by a factor of 2 of the graph of f.
Positive and Negative: The x-intercept is 3. The function is
positive when x 3 and negative when x 3.

Increasing and Decreasing: The graph has an asymptote of x 4.

The function decreases over its entire domain, x 4.

End Behavior: From the graph, you can see that y as x and y as x .

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Describe the transformation of f represented by g. Graph each function. Determine
when g is positive, negative, increasing, or decreasing. Then describe the end
behavior of g.

9. f(x) = log2 x, g(x) = −3 log2 x

10. f(x) = log1/4 x, g(x) = log1/4(4x) − 5

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Example 5 Describing a Transformation

Describe the transformation from the graph of f to the graph of g.

SOLUTION

The function g(x) f(x h) indicates that the graph

of g is a horizontal translation of the graph of f.
The graphs of f and g show that for any input,
g(x) f(x 3). For example, f(1) 0 and g(4) 0. So,
g(x) f(x 3) and h 3.

The graph of g is a translation 3 units right of

the graph of f.

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Example 6 Representing a Transformation
The graph of an exponential function f is shown. The graph of g is a
vertical shrink by a factor of of the graph of f. Graph g.
SOLUTION
Because the graph of g is a vertical shrink by a factor of of the graph of f,
the graph of g consists of the points (x, f(x)).
Step 1 Use the graph of f to make a table of values for the ordered pairs (x, f(x)).
x f(x) f(x)

2 6

1 5
0 3 1
1 1

Step 2 Plot the ordered pairs.

Step 3 Draw a smooth curve through the points.
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11. The table approximates two exponential
x 1 0 1 2
functions f and g. Describe the
transformation from the graph of f to the f (x) 3.82 3.50 2.64 0.31
a • g(x) 11.46 10.50
graph of g.
7.92 0.93

12. The table approximates a logarithmic function f. x 0 2 4 6

The graph of g is a translation 3 units up of the
graph of f. Create a table of values for g. f (x) 2.39 2.79 3.08 3.30

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 Example 7 Writing a Transformed Exponential Function

Let the graph of g be a reflection in the x-axis followed by a translation 4

units right of the graph of f(x) 2x. Write a rule for g.
SOLUTION

Step 1 First write a function h that represents the reflection of f.

Check
h(x) f(x) Multiply the output by 1.

2x Substitute 2x for f(x).

Step 2 Then write a function g that represents the translation of h.

g(x) h (x 4) Subtract 4 from the input.

2x 4 Replace x with x 4 in h(x).

The transformed function is g(x) 2x 4.

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 Example 8 Writing a Transformed Logarithmic Function

Let the graph of g be a translation 2 units up followed by a vertical stretch by

a factor of 2 of the graph of f(x) log1/3 x. Write a rule for g.
SOLUTION

Step 1 First write a function h that represents the translation of f.

Check
h(x) f(x) 2 Add 2 to the output.
log1/3 x 2 Substitute log1/3 x for f(x).

Step 2 Then write a function g that represents the vertical stretch of h.

g(x) 2 h(x) Multiply the output by 2.
2 (log1/3 x 2) Substitute log1/3 x 2 for h(x).
2 log1/3 x 4 Distributive Property

The transformed function is g(x) 2 log1/3 x 4.

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 2 units up of the graph of f(x) = e−x. Write a rule for g.
13. Let the graph of g be a horizontal stretch by a factor of 3, followed by a translation

graph of f(x) = log x. Write a rule for g.

14. Let the graph of g be a reflection in the y-axis, followed by a translation 4 units left of the

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 In-Class
Mini-Assessment
Practice

Describe the transformation of f represented by g.

Then graph each function.
1. f(x) = ex, g(x) = ex − 4 + 2
2. f(x) = 3x, g(x) = 30.5x + 1
3. f(x) = log x, g(x) = −log(7x)

3 units right of the graph of f(x) = 9x. Write a rule for g.

4. Let the graph of g be a reflection in the y-axis, followed by a translation

shrink by a factor of 0.5 of the graph of f(x) = log7/9 x. Write a rule for g.
5. Let the graph of g be a translation 6 units up, followed by a vertical

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