Section 2.
5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs
Math 1111: Section 2.5 Transformations of Functions
I. Common Graphs
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
II. Understanding Vertical Shifts
The graph of y = f(x) + c is the graph of y = f(x) shifted c units vertically
upward.
The graph of y = f(x) – c is the graph of y= f(x) shifted c units vertically
downward
Example 1: Use the graph of f(x) = |x| to obtain the graph of g(x) = |x| – 4
(original)Graph of f(x) = |x|
Graph of g(x) = |x| – 4
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
III. Understanding Horizontal Shifts
The graph of y = f(x + c) is the graph of y = f(x) shifted to the left c units.
The graph of y = f(x – c) is the graph of y = f(x) shifted to the right c units.
Example 2: Horizontal Shift
Use the graph of f(x) = √ x to obtain the graph of g(x) = √ x+ 5
(original)Graph of f(x) = √ x Graph of g(x) = √ x+ 5
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
IV. Combining Horizontal and Vertical Shifts
Example 3: Combining Horizontal and Vertical Shifts
Use the graph of f(x) = x 2 to obtain the graph of h(x) = ( x +1 )2−3
The graph of f(x) = x 2 The graph h(x) = ( x +1 )2−3
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
V. Reflection about the x-Axis
The graph of y = -f(x) is the graph of y = f(x) reflected about the x – axis
Example 4: Use the graph of f(x) = √3 x to obtain the graph of g(x) = - √3 x
The graph of f(x) = √3 x The graph of f(x) = −√3 x
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
VI. Reflection about the y-Axis
The graph of y = f(-x) is the graph of y = f(x) reflected about the y-axis.
Example 5: Use the graph of f(x) = √ x to obtain the graph of g(x) = √−x
The graph of f(x) = √ x The graph of f(x) = √−x
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
VII. Vertical Stretching and Shrinking
Note: Vertically Stretching and Shrinking Graphs
Let f be a function and c a positive real number.
If c > 1, the graph of y = cf(x) is the graph of y = f(x) vertically stretched by
multiplying each of its y-coordinates by c.
If 0 < c < 1, the graph of y = cf(x) is the graph of y = f(x) vertically shrunk by
multiplying each its y-coordinates by c.
Example 6: Vertically Shrinking a Graph
1 3
Use the graph of f(x) = x 3 to obtain the graph of h(x) = 2 x is obtained by vertically
shrinking the graph of f(x) = x 3
1 3
The graph of h(x) = 2 x
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
VIII. Horizontal Stretching and Shrinking
Note: Horizontally Stretching and Shrinking Graphs
Let f be a function and c a positive real number.
If c > 1, the graph of y = f(cx) is the graph of y = f(x) horizontally shrunk by
dividing each of its x-coordinates by c.
If 0 < c < 1, the graph of y = f(cx) is the graph of y = f(x) horizontally
stretched by dividing each of its x-coordinates by c.
Example 7: Horizontally Stretching and Shrinking a Graph
Use the graph of y = f(x) in the figure below to the left to obtain the graph below
of g(x) = f(2x)
Section 2.5 Transformation of Functions Instructional Notes
IX. Graphing Using a Sequence of Transformations
Go in this order:
1. Horizontal Shifting
2. Stretching or Shrinking
3. Reflecting
4. Vertical Shifting
Example 8: Use the graph of f(x) = x 2 to graph g(x) = 2( x +3 )2−1
The graph of g(x) = 2( x +3 )2−1
