Functions
4. Transforming Functions
We can translate a graph by moving it up, down left and right.
A translation can be represented by a vector.
𝑝
𝑞 denotes a translation of p horizontally and q vertically.
−3
For example: represent a shift of 3 units to the left and 2 units
2
up.
In function notation the four translations above can be summarised as
follows:
𝑘 > 0
𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑘 ∶ move the function up 𝑘 units
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑘 ∶ move the function down 𝑘 units
𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑘 ∶ move the function left 𝑘 units
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑘 ∶ move the function right 𝑘 units
We can reflect a graph in the x-axis (turns the graph of the function
upside down) and we can reflect it in the y-axis (makes the graph look
back to front).
𝑦 = −𝑓 𝑥 ∶ reflects the graph in the x − axis.
𝑦 = 𝑓 −𝑥 ∶ reflects the graph in the y − axis.
We can stretch or graphs horizontally and vertically.
𝑦 = 𝑘𝑓 𝑥 ∶ multiply the y − coordinates by k.
Stretch if 𝑘 > 1. Compress if 0 < 𝑘 < 1.
𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑘𝑥 ∶ divide the x − coordinates by k.
Stretch if 0 < 𝑘 < 1. Compress if 𝑘 > 1.