GCE A Level Maths 9709

SMIYL
April 2023

1.2 Functions
In this topic we will learn how to:
• understand and use transformations of the graph of y = f (x) given by,
y = f (x) + a, y = f (x + a), y = af (x), y = f (ax) and simple combinations
of these.
Transformations
y = f(x) + a

This is a translation in the y-axis by a units.

Here’s an example of what that would look like graphically.

Example 1
Given that f (x) = x2 sketch the graph of g(x) = f (x) + 2.

f (x)

2
g(x)

x
O

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 g(x) is a translation by 2 units in the y-direction from f (x)

y = f(x + a)

This is a translation in the x-axis by −a units.

Here’s an example of what that would look like graphically.

Example 2

Given that f (x) = x2 sketch the graph of g(x) = f (x + 2).

f (x)
g(x)

x
−2 O

g(x) is a translation by −2 units in the x-direction from f (x)

y = af(x)

This is a stretch in the y-axis by a stretch factor of a.

Here’s an example of what that would look like graphically.

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Example 3

Given that f (x) = x2 sketch the graph g(x) = 2f (x).

f (x)
g(x)

x
O

g(x) is a stretch in the y-direction by a stretch factor of 2 from f (x)

y = f(ax)

1
This is a stretch in the x-axis by a stretch factor of a.

Here’s an example of what that would look like graphically.

Example 4

Given that f (x) = (x − 2)2 sketch the graph g(x) = f (2x)

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 y

g(x) f (x)
x
O 1 2

1
g(x) is a stretch in the x-direction by a stretch factor of from f (x)
2

Combined Transformations
a(bx + c)2 + d

The above is an example of a combined transformation. a repre-

sents a stretch in the y-axis. b represents a stretch in the x-axis.
c represents a translation in the x-axis. d represents a translation
in the y-axis.

Here’s an example of a combined transformation.

Example 5

Given that f (x) = (x + 2)2 − 1 sketch the graph

g(x) = 3f (2x + 4) + 1.

Start by sketching the graph of y = f (x),

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 y

f (x)

x
−3 −1 O

y = f (x)
g(x) = 3f (2x + 4) + 1

From f (x) to g(x) there is a translation in the x-direction by

−4 units and a translation in the y-direction by 1 unit. Let’s
translate f (x) by −4 units in the x-direction and 1 unit in the
y-direction,
y

f (x)

x
−6 −2 O

Translation by −4 units in the x-axis and 1 unit in the y-direction from f (x)
g(x) = 3f (2x + 4) + 1

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Finally, there is a stretch in the x-direction by a stretch factor
of 21 and a stretch in the y-direction by a stretch factor of 3,

g(x)

x
−6 −3 O

Stretch in the x-direction by a stretch factor of 12 and stretch in

the y-direction by a stretch factor of 3

Therefore, the graph of y = g(x) is,

g(x)

x
−3 O

y = g(x)

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Let’s look at some past paper questions.
1. The graph of y = f (x) is transformed to the graph y = 1 + f 21 x .

Describe fully the transformations which have been combined to give

the resulting transformation. (9709/12/F/M/20 number 2)

Start by describing the transformation in the x-axis,

There is a stretch in the x-direction by a stretch factor of 2.

Then describe the transformation in the y-axis,

There is a translation in the y-direction by 1 unit.

Therefore, the final answer is,

There is a stretch in the x-direction by a stretch factor of 2.
Followed by a translation in the y-direction by 1 unit.

2. The graph of y = f (x) is transformed to the graph y = 2f (x −

1). Describe fully the two single transformations which have been
combined to give the resulting transformation. (9709/12/M/J/21
number 2)

Start by describing the transformation in the x-axis,

There is a translation in the x-direction by 1 unit.

Then describe the transformation in the y-axis,

There is a stretch in the y-direction by a stretch factor of 2.

Therefore, the final answer is,

There is a translation in the x-direction by 1 unit. Followed by a
stretch in the y-direction by a stretch factor of 2

3. Functions f and g are both defined for x ∈ R and are given by

f (x) = x2 − 2x + 5
g(x) = x2 + 4x + 13
(9709/13/M/J/21 number 6)
(a) By first expressing each of f (x) and g(x) in completed square
form, express g(x) in the form f (x + p) + q, where p and q are
constants.

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 Start by completing the square for both f (x) and g(x),
f (x) = x2 − 2x + 5
f (x) = (x − 1)2 + 4

g(x) = x2 + 4x + 13
g(x) = (x + 2)2 + 9

Let’s proceed to the next part,

g(x) = f (x + p) + q

Let’s evaluate the equation above. p represents a trans-

lation in the x-direction from f (x) to g(x). To translate
from f (x) to g(x) i.e from −1 to 2, in the x-direction we
have to move by 3 units. Therefore,
p=3

q represents a translation in the y-direction from f (x) to

g(x). To translate from f (x) to g(x) i.e from 4 to 9, in the
y-direction we have to move by 5 units. Therefore,
q=5

Therefore, the final answer is,

g(x) = f (x + 3) + 5

(b) Describe fully the transformations which transform the graph of

y = f (x) to the graph of y = g(x).
g(x) = f (x + 3) + 5

Start by describing the transformation in the x-axis,

There is a translation in the x-direction by −3 units.

Then describe the transformation in the y-axis,

There is a translation in the y-direction by 5 units.

Therefore, the final answer is,

There is a translation in the x-direction by −3 units. Followed
by a translation in the y-direction by 5 units.