IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches

Transformations of graphs

f ( x )  g ( x ) = a  f b ( x + c ) + d

▪ translations: y = f ( x ) + d ; y = f ( x + c )

▪ reflections (in both axes): y = − f ( x) ; y = f ( −x)

▪ vertical stretch with scale factor a: y = a  f ( x )

1
▪ horizontal stretch with scale factor : y = f ( bx )
b
▪ composite transformations

[answers included]
Exercises
A calculator may be used to visually check answers.

1. For each of the following, describe fully the transformation(s) which maps the graph of f ( x ) onto
the graph of g ( x ) .

(a) f ( x ) = 4x ; g ( x ) = 4x − 3

f ( x ) = ( x + 1) ; g ( x ) = ( x + 4 )
2 2
(b)

(c) f ( x ) = x3 + 2 x − 3 ; g ( x ) = x3 + 2 x + 5

(d) f ( x ) = e x ; g ( x ) = e− x
1 1
(e) f ( x) = x − ; g ( x) = − x
x x
(f) f ( x ) = log x ; g ( x ) = 2 + log ( − x )

 π
(g) f ( x ) = sin x ; g ( x ) = − 3sin  x + 
 4

2. (a) Use the technique of completing the square to write the expression x2 − 6 x + 11 in the
form ( x + c ) + d .
2

(b) Thus, describe fully the transformations that map the graph of y = x 2 onto the graph of
y = x 2 − 6 x + 11 .

3. Let f ( x ) = 2 x + 3 + 5 and h ( x ) = x . The graph of f may be obtained from the graph of h by

the following two transformations: a stretch of scale factor k in the y-direction followed by a
 p  p
translation of   . Write down   and the value of k.
q q

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Transformations of graphs

4. Consider the quadratic function g ( x ) = 3x 2 + 12 x + 8

(a) Write g in the form g ( x ) = 3 ( x + h ) + k .

2

(b) The graph of g is translated 4 units in the negative x-direction and 6 units in the positive
y-direction. Find the function g for the translated graph, giving your answer in the form
g ( x ) = 3( x + c ) + d .
2

1
5. Let f ( x ) = , x  2.
x−2
(a) Sketch the graph of f , clearly indicating any asymptotes or any x- or y-intercepts.
(b) The graph of function g is obtained by first reflecting the graph of f about the x-axis followed
by a translation 3 units in the positive y-direction. Write an expression for the function g and
sketch its graph, clearly indicating any asymptotes or any x- or y-intercepts.
(c) The graph of function h is obtained by first translating the graph of f 3 units in the positive y-
direction followed by a reflection about the x-axis. Write an expression for the function h and
sketch its graph, clearly indicating any asymptotes or any x- or y-intercepts.
(d) Comparing the results for parts (b) and (c), comment on whether it makes a difference in the
order in which the transformations of a reflection about the x-axis and a vertical translation are
applied.

6. Part of the graph of the function y = f ( x ) and its vertical and horizontal asymptotes are shown
below. On a separate pair of coordinate axes, sketch the graph of y = − f ( x + 1) . Clearly indicate
any asymptotes on the graph along with writing the equation of the asymptote.

1
7. The graph of the function y = 2 x 2 − 3 is shrunk horizontally by a factor of and then translated
2
 1 
by   . Find the equation of the resulting graph expressing it in the form y = ax 2 + bx + c .
 − 2

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IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches

Transformations of graphs

ANSWERS

1. (a) vertical translation down 3 units maps graph of f ( x ) onto the graph of g ( x )

(b) horizontal translation left 3 units maps graph of f ( x ) onto the graph of g ( x )

(c) vertical translation up 8 units maps graph of f ( x ) onto the graph of g ( x )

(d) a reflection about the y-axis maps graph of f ( x ) onto the graph of g ( x )

(e) a reflection about the x-axis maps graph of f ( x ) onto the graph of g ( x )

(f) a reflection about the y-axis followed by vertical translation up 2 units maps f ( x ) onto g ( x ) ;
OR a vertical translation up 2 units followed by a reflection about the y-axis
(g) graph of f ( x ) mapped onto graph of g ( x ) by the three transformations: reflection about the
π
x-axis; vertical stretch by a factor of 3; horizontal translation left units (in any order)
4

(a) x2 − 6 x + 11 = ( x − 3) + 2
2
2.

(b) horizontal translation 3 units right and vertical translation 2 units up (in either order)

 − 3
3. k = 2;  
 5

(a) g ( x ) = 3 ( x + 2) − 4
2
4.

(b) g ( x ) = 3 ( x + 6) + 2
2

5. (a)

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Transformations of graphs

5. (continued)
1
(b) g ( x ) = − +3, x  2
x−2

1
(c) h ( x ) = − −3, x  2
x−2

(d) The functions obtained in (b) and (c) are different when the order in which the transformations
are applied is switched. The order in which the transformations of a reflection about the x-axis
and a vertical translation are applied to a function does make a difference.

6.

7. y = 8 x 2 − 16 x + 3

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