Transformations of Graphs Section

2.6

Recognize Basic Functions

Linear function Constant function Identity function Absolute value function

y y
y y

x x x x

Quadratic function Cube function Square root function Cube root function

y y
y y

x x x x

Reciprocal function
y

Apply Vertical and Horizontal Transformations (Shifts)

Consider a function defined by y = f(x). Let c and h represent positive real numbers.

Vertical shift: The graph of y = f(x) + c is the graph of y = f(x) shifted c units upward.
The graph of y = f(x) – c is the graph of y = f(x) shifted c units downward.

Horizontal shift: The graph of y = f(x – h) is the graph of y = f(x) shifted h units to the right.
The graph of y = f(x + h) is the graph of y = f(x) shifted h units to the left.
Graph the functions.

1.

y y
7 7
Parent Families

1
-3 7 x -3 7 x
2
-3 -3
3

2.
y y
7 7
Parent Families

1
-5 5 x -5 5 x

2
-3 -3

y
3. 5

Horizontal shift: _______________

Vertical shift: _____________ -5 5 x

-5
 y
8
4.

Horizontal shift: _______________

Vertical shift: _____________

-3 7 x

-2

Apply Vertical and Horizontal Shrinking and Stretching

Consider a function defined by y = f(x). Let a represent a positive real number.

Vertical shrink/stretch: If a > 1 , then the graph of y = a f(x) is the graph of y = f(x) stretched vertically
by a factor of a.
If 0 < a < 1 , then the graph of y = a f(x) is the graph of y = f(x) shrunk
vertically by a factor of a.

Horizontal shrink/stretch: If a > 1 , then the graph of y = f(a  x) is the graph of y = f(x) shrunk
horizontally by a factor of a.
If 0 < a < 1 , then the graph of y = f(a  x) is the graph of y = f(x) stretched
horizontally by a factor of a.

Graph the functions.

5. y
8
x
x
0
0
1
1
2
2
3
3 -5 5 x
4 -2
4
6. y
8

x x

0
0
1
1 -1 9 x
5 -2
5
6 7.
6 Use the graph of to graph
7
7

y
6

y
6

-4 6 x

-4 6 x

-4
-4

Apply Reflections Across the x- and y-Axes

Consider a function defined by y = f(x).

Reflection across the x-axis: The graph of is the graph of y = f(x) reflected across the x-axis.

Reflection across the y-axis: The graph of is the graph of y = f(x) reflected across the y-axis.

8. The graph of is given. Graph and .

 y y y
5 5 5

-5 5 x -5 5 x -5 5 x

-5 -5 -5

Summarize Transformations of Graphs

Transformations of Functions

Consider a function defined by y = f(x). If c, h, and a represent positive real numbers, then the graphs of
the following functions are related to y = f(x) as follows.
Transformation Effect on the Graph of f Changes to Points on f
Vertical translation (shift)
y = f(x) + c Shift upward c units Replace (x, y) by (x, y + c)
y = f(x) – c Shift downward c units Replace (x, y) by (x, y – c)
Horizontal translation (shift)
y = f(x – h) Shift right h units Replace (x, y) by (x + h, y).
y = f(x + h) Shift left h units Replace (x, y) by (x – h, y).
Vertical stretch/shrink
y = a[f(x)] Vertical stretch (if a > 1) Replace (x, y) by (x, ay).
Vertical shrink (if 0 < a < 1)

Graph is stretched/shrunk vertically by a

factor of a.
Horizontal stretch/shrink
y = f(ax) Horizontal shrink (if a > 1)
Horizontal stretch (if 0 < a < 1) Replace (x, y) by .

Graph is stretched/shrunk horizontally

by a factor of .
Reflection
y = –f(x) Reflection across the x-axis Replace (x, y) by (x, –y).
y = f(–x) Reflection across the y-axis Replace (x, y) by (–x, y).

To graph a function requiring multiple transformations, use the following order.

1. Horizontal translation (shift) 2. Horizontal and vertical stretch and shrink

3. Reflections across x- or y-axis 4. Vertical translation (shift)
y
5
9. Graph the function defined by . Parent function:

-5 5 x

-5
 1. Shift the graph to the left 1 unit

y
5
2. Apply a vertical stretch
(multiply the y-values by 2)

-5 5 x
3. Shift the graph downward 3 units.

-5

10. Graph the function defined by .

y
Parent function 6

-6 4 x

-4

y
6

-6 4 x

-4