Math 140 Trigonometry

1.7: Graphing Techniques  Transformations

Here is a summary of the transformations of y = f(x). See Summary of Graphing Techniques on page 74.

1. Vertical translation (or shift): y  f ( x)  k

For k > 0,
 The graph of y  f ( x)  k is the parent graph, y  f (x) , shifted up k units.
 The graph of y  f ( x)  k is the parent graph, y  f (x) , shifted down k units;

2. Horizontal translation (or shift): y  f ( x  h)

For h > 0,
 The graph of y  f ( x  h) is the parent graph, y  f (x) , shifted left h units.
 The graph of y  f ( x  h) is the parent graph, y  f (x) , shifted right h units;

3. Reflections:
a.) Reflection about the x-axis:
 The graph of y   f (x) is the reflection of the parent graph, y  f (x) , about the x–axis.
b.) Reflection about the y-axis:
 The graph of y  f ( x) is the reflection of the parent graph, y  f (x) , about the y–axis.

4. Vertical Stretch or Compression: y  af ( x) Order of Operations for

The graph of y  af ( x) is the graph of the parent graph, y  f (x) , … Transformations
 Stretched vertically by a multiplication factor of a for a  1 , or
1. Stretch/Compress
 Compressed vertically by a multiplication factor of a for 0  a  1 .
2. Reflect
For a < 0, the graph is also reflected across the x–axis.
3. Translate
5. Horizontal Stretch or Compression: y  f (ax)
Hint: When reflecting in the
The graph of y  f (ax) is the graph of the parent graph, y  f (x) , …
y–axis AND translating
 Compressed horizontally by a multiplication factor of 1
a for a  1 , or horizontally, factor out a –1.
 Stretched horizontally by a multiplication factor of 1
a for 0  a  1 . See p. 75, Example 6, also #65, #66
For a < 0, the graph is also reflected across the y–axis. from homework.

Vertical and Horizontal Vertical Stretching Horizontal Stretching

Translations and Compressing and Compressing
y  f (x) - bold y  f (x) - bold y  f (x) - bold
y  f ( x)  3 - thin y  2 f ( x) - thin y  f (2 x) - thin
y  f ( x  4) - dotted y  12 f ( x) - dotted y  f ( 12 x) - dotted
For problems 39 – 67: Graph each function using the techniques of shifting, compressing, stretching, and/or
reflecting.
 Start with the graph of the parent function and show all stages.
 Be sure to show at least three key points on the final graph.
 Find the domain and range of each function.
 Verify your results with a graphing utility.

Remember: (1) Stretch/Compress; (2) Reflect; (3) Translate

(40) f  x   x 2  4 (44) h x   x  1 (46) f  x    x  2  3

3

(48) g  x   (56) h x  
1 1
x (50) h  x   3 2 x 2
2 x

(60) g  x   3 x  1  3 (like 63) f  x   x  2  3

2
(64) f  x   4 x  1

Hole at (1, 0)

(66) g  x   4 2  x Finding the Cube Root Key Finding the Absolute Value Key
MATH, then arrow key to the right
to get the NUM menu.
MATH, then 4: 3 ( Then 1: abs(
OR
2nd CATALOG, then the first item
Hole at (2, 0) on the list will be abs( , once it is
highlighted hit ENTER.

Question: What about f(x) = (2x)3 ? Do I think of the x as getting cut in half, or rewrite the function as
f(x) = 8x3, and think of the y–values as getting multiplied by 8.

Answer: Regardless of how you conceptualize f(x) the net effect on the graph is the same.