2/14/22, 7:25 PM CEMC's Open Courseware - Transformations of Simple Polynomial Functions

Transformations of Simple Polynomial Functions

Alternative Format
Lesson Part 1
Quadratic Functions
In the past, you have studied quadratic polynomial functions. One method of graphing quadratic functions
was to consider the transformations applied to the parent function y = x 2.

Function: y = x2 y = − 2(x − 1) 2 + 3

Image:

Domain: {x ∣ x ∈ R} {x ∣ x ∈ R}
Range: {y ∣ y ≥ 0, y ∈ R} {y ∣ y ≤ 3, y ∈ R}

These transformations can be identified when the equation of the quadratic function is in the form
y = a(x − h) 2 + k. Recall the general standard and vertex forms of a quadratic equation.

y = ax 2 + bx + c y = a(x − h) 2 + k

Cubic and Quartic Functions

We will now apply our understanding of transformations to the base cubic function, y = x 3, and the quartic
function, y = x 4. We must first recall the graphs of these functions.

Parent
y = x3 y = x4
Function:

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Image:

Domain: {x ∣ x ∈ R} {x ∣ x ∈ R}
Range: {y ∣ y ∈ R} {y ∣ y ≥ 0, y ∈ R}

Transformational Form
Transformations on a function y = f(x) can be identified when the function is in the form

y = af(b(x − h)) + k

When the cubic, f(x) = x 3, and quartic, f(x) = x 4, power functions are written in this form, we obtain the
following equations.

Cubic: y = a(b(x − h)) 3 + k Quartic: y = a(b(x − h)) 4 + k

Use the investigation provided to review and investigate the role the parameters a, b, h, and k in
transforming the quadratic, cubic, and quartic power functions. Follow the instructions given in the
worksheet.

Investigation
See the investigation in the side navigation.

Lesson Part 2
Transformational Form
Let's summarize the role of the parameters a, b, h, and k in transforming the cubic function, f(x) = x 3, into
y = a(b(x − h)) 3 + k and the quartic function, f(x) = x 4, into y = a(b(x − h)) 4 + k.

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Effect of a:

If a < 0, f(x) is reflected in the x-axis.

f(x) is stretched vertically from the x-axis by a factor of |a|.

Effect of b:

If b < 0, f(x) is reflected in the y-axis.

1
f(x) is stretched horizontally from the y-axis by a factor of .
|b|

Effect of h:

f(x) is translated horizontally h units.

Effect of k:

f(x) is translated vertically k units.

Summary
By applying these transformations to the parent function, we can obtain the graph of the transformed
function.

The transformation is defined by the mapping that takes each point (x, y) on the parent function to the

point ( 1
b )
x + h, ay + k . We denote this mapping as

(x, y) →
( 1
b
x + h, ay + k
)
When applying the transformations to the graph of the function, the stretches and/or reflections must be
performed first (in any order) prior to the translations.

Check Your Understanding A and B

These questions are not included in the Alternative Format, but can be accessed in the Review section of
the side navigation.

Applying Transformations

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In our first example, we are given the equation of a transformed cubic function. We will describe the
transformations applied to the base parent function and graph the new function.

Example 1
Describe the transformations applied to the base parent function, y = x 3, to obtain the graph
1
y = − 3 (x + 2) 3 − 1 and graph the function.

Solution
1
This function is the image of f(x) = x 3 under the transformations defined by y = − 3 f(x + 2)− 1.

1
Since a = − 3 , the cubic function is reflected in the x-axis (a < 0) and vertically stretched from the

1
x-axis by a factor of 3 .

The image of each point on the graph can be found by multiplying the y-coordinate of
1
the point by − 3 and leaving the x-coordinate the same.

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The graph of this function appears compressed, since the stretch factor is between 0
and 1.
Since b = 1, no horizontal stretch or reflection is applied.
Since h = − 2 and k = − 1, the function is then translated 2 units left and 1 unit down.

( 1
The image graph can be obtained by applying the mapping, (x, y) → x − 2, − 3 y − 1 , that takes points on )
(
the parent function (x, y) to the point x − 2, − 3 y − 1 .
1
)
Check Your Understanding C
This question is not included in the Alternative Format, but can be accessed in the Review section of the
side navigation.

Example 2
Describe the transformations applied to the base parent function, y = x 4, to obtain the graph
y = ( − 2x + 4) 4 − 5. Graph the function and state the domain and range.

Solution

This is a transformation of the quartic function f(x) = x 4 under the transformations defined by
y = f(− 2(x − 2))− 5.

Note that the coefficient of x, − 2, must be factored from the two terms in the brackets to be in standard
transformational form and to help us identify the correct horizontal translation.

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The equation becomes y = ( − 2(x − 2)) 4 − 5.

Once the equation is in this form, we can identify the parameters and apply the transformations.

So first b < 0, so there will be a reflection in the y-axis. Since y = x 4 is symmetrical about the y-
axis, the graph is unchanged by this transformation.
1
Since b = − 2, there will also be a horizontal stretch from the y-axis by a factor of . Here we
2
1
keep the y-coordinate the same and take of the x-coordinate of each point.
2

Since h = 2, there will be a horizontal translation to the right 2 units.

Since k = − 5, so a vertical translation down 5 units will now be applied.

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The points on the new function, y = ( − 2(x − 2)) 4 − 5, can be obtained by mapping the points (x, y) on the

( 1
)
original parent function, y = x 4, to the point − 2 x + 2, y − 5 . We denote this mapping as

1
(
(x, y) → − x + 2, y− 5
2 )
The domain is {x ∣ x ∈ R} and the range is {y ∣ y ≥ − 5, y ∈ R}.

Alternative Solution

Another approach to graphing the function, y = ( − 2(x − 2)) 4 − 5, involves simplifying the equation first.

We can pull the − 2 outside the bracket that's being raised to the exponent 4, and apply the exponent to
the − 2.

y = ( − 2) 4(x − 2) 4 − 5

We obtain the equation

y = 16(x − 2) 4 − 5

This new form of the equation changes the transformations applied.

It eliminates the reflection in the y-axis, which does nothing to change the graph of y = x 4, and the
1
horizontal stretch by a factor of 2
becomes a vertical stretch by a factor of 16.

This new mapping would be defined by

(x, y) → (x + 2, 16y− 5)

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Now let's consider the transformations applied using this new equation.

y = 16(x − 2) 4 − 5

Let's list the transformations being applied to y = x 4, in order:

Since |a | = 16, there is a vertical stretch from the x-axis by a factor of 16 (keeping the x-
coordinates the same, multiply the y-coordinate by 16 to obtain the graph).

Since h = 2, there is a horizontal translation to the right 2 units.

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Since k = − 5, there is a vertical translation down 5 units .

Lesson Part 3
Equivalence of Methods
We can see by the respective mathematical image that the transformations used in either method
resulted in the same final graph. How does this work?

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Mathematically, y = ( − 2(x − 2)) 4 − 5 is equivalent to y = 16(x − 2) 4 − 5.

1
In this example, the reflection in the y-axis and the horizontal stretch by a factor of 2
in the first

transformation was combined into a single vertical stretch by 16. The translations will not change.

As mentioned earlier, the reflection in the y-axis does nothing to change the graph since the function is
symmetric about the y-axis.

Considering just the stretches under each mapping, we see the equivalence of both transformations.

(x, y) →
( )1
2
x, y (x, y) → (x, 16y)

(2, 16) → (1, 16) (1, 1) → (1, 16)

As we can see here in this diagram, the point

(2, 16) on the parent function, y = x 4, will be
mapped to the point (1, 16) under a horizontal
1
stretch by a factor of 2 .

Using the other mapping, the point (1, 1) on the

parent function, y = x 4, will map to the point (1, 16)
under a vertical stretch by a factor of 16.

Similarly, we can show that this applies to other points on the parent function, y = x 4.

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(x, y) → ( )
1
2
x, y (x, y) → (x, 16y)

( − 2, 16) → ( − 1, 16) ( − 1, 1) → ( − 1, 16)

(4, 256) → (2, 256) (2, 16) → (2, 256)

( − 4, 256) → ( − 2, 256) ( − 2, 16) → ( − 2, 256)

The translation to the right by 2 units and down by 5 units is common to both methods, so both will
produce the same graph of the transformed function.

When working with parent polynomial functions of the form y = x n, n ∈ Z, n > 0, it is worth noting that the
parameters, a and b, responsible for stretches and reflections can be combined to create a single
parameter responsible for the vertical stretch and reflection in the x-axis, by simplifying the equation
algebraically.

Consider a general polynomial function of this form:

y = a(b(x − h)) n + k

which is the same as

y = ab n(x − h) n + k

When expressed in simplified form, the coefficient ab n is responsible for the vertical stretch and reflection
in the x-axis. It replaces the original horizontal stretch and reflection by b and vertical stretch and
reflection by a in the original equation. The translations remain unchanged.

This knowledge can be used to simplify the process of graphing.

Consider the following function:

1
y= ( − 2x + 8) 3 − 5
2

or

1
y= ( − 2(x − 4)) 3 − 5
2

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1
The transformations applied to y = x 3 include a vertical stretch from the x-axis by a factor of 2 , a reflection
1
in the y-axis, a horizontal stretch from the y-axis by a factor of 2 , as well as a horizontal translation 4 units
right and a vertical translation 5 units down.

Note that the equation can be simplified to

1
y= ( − 2) 3(x − 4) 3 − 5
2
= − 4(x − 4) 3 − 5

The stretches and reflections are replaced by a reflection in the x-axis and a vertical stretch by a factor of
4. The translations remain the same.

The graph of the image function will be the same regardless of which combination of transformations is
applied.

Check Your Understanding D

This question is not included in the Alternative Format, but can be accessed in the Review section of the
side navigation.

Lesson Part 4
Equations of Transformed Functions
Example 3
Transformations are applied to the cubic function, y = x 3, to obtain the resulting graph (in blue).

Determine the equation for the transformed function.

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Solution

We will determine the equation of the transformed function using the general form y = a(x − h) 3 + k. By
identifying the specific transformations applied, we can determine the values of a, h, and k.

We need not consider any horizontal stretch or reflection in the y-axis, as these transformations can be
replaced by an appropriate vertical stretch and/or reflection, as was discussed previously.

The point of inflection (0, 0) on the original function, y = x 3, is not affected by any reflection and/or stretch
since the general mapping (x, y) → (x, ay) covers all reflections and stretches. Thus,
(0, 0) → (0, a(0)) → (0, 0).

The point (0, 0) on the parent function has been mapped to (4, − 3).

This tells us that a horizontal translation right 4 units (h = 4) and a vertical translation down 3 units
(k = − 3) has been applied.

Therefore,

y = a(x − 4) 3− 3

The graph has been reflected in either the x-axis or the y-axis (equivalent in the case of cubic functions
which are symmetrical about the origin).

We will work with a reflection in the x-axis; therefore, a is negative.

On the original parent function, y = x 3, if we move 1 unit right of the point of inflection, the appropriate
point on the curve is 1 unit up.

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On the transformed graph, the corresponding point is 2 units down.

This would happen if there was a vertical stretch by a factor of 2 applied after a reflection. So a = − 2.

Therefore, the equation of the transformed function would be y = − 2(x − 4) 3 − 3.

The stretch factor can also be determined algebraically.

If we substitute h = 4 and k = − 3 into the general form of the equation, y = a(x − h) 3 + k, we have

y = a(x − 4) 3 − 3

Next we can substitute a point other than (4, − 3) into the equation to determine a. In this case, we will
use (3, − 1).

− 1 = a(3 − 4) 3 − 3
−1 = − a − 3
a= −2

So,

y = − 2(x − 4) 3 − 3

The algebraic solution here supports our answer found previously using only transformations.

Example 4
The graph of the function f(x) = ax n + k, a ≠ 0, n ∈ N, is stretched vertically by a factor of 3, reflected in the
y-axis, horizontally stretched by a factor of 2, shifted left 2 units and up 5 units.

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Three points on this new graph are − 8, ( 133

2 )
, ( − 2, − 55), and (2, − 31).

Determine the equation of y = f(x) and the equation of the new function under the transformations applied.

Solution

We will begin by defining y = g(x) to be the image of y = f(x) under the given transformations.

That is,

(
1
g(x) = 3f − (x + 2) + 5
2 )
Let (x, y) be a point on y = f(x); then (− 2x− 2, 3y + 5) would be the image of the point on y = g(x).

The point − 8, ( 133

2 ) is on y = g(x). Therefore, − 8 = − 2x − 2 and
133
2
= 3y + 5.

41
Solving both equations for x and y, respectively, gives x = 3 and y = 2
.

Hence, 3,
( ) 41
2
is the corresponding point on y = f(x).

Similarly, we can take the other two points given to us that are on g(x) and find the corresponding points
on f(x). That is, using ( − 2, 55), we obtain − 2 = − 2x − 2 and − 55 = 3y + 5. Therefore, (0, − 20) is a second
point on y = f(x).

Using (2, − 31), we have 2 = − 2x − 2 and − 31 = 3y + 5. Therefore, ( − 2, − 12) is a third point on the
graph y = f(x).

To determine the equation of f(x), where f(x) = ax n + k, we must solve for the three unknowns: a, n, and k.

Note that the three points 3,

( )41
2
, (0, − 20), and ( − 2, − 12) on the graph of the function must satisfy the

equation f(x) = ax n + k. By substituting the points into the general from of the equation, we can generate
three equations.

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41
= a(3) n + k
2
− 20 = a(0) n + k
− 12 = a( − 2) n + k

From equation (2), k = − 20. We can now substitute this into equations (1) and (3).

Equation (1) gives

41
= a(3) n − 20
2
41
+ 20 = a(3) n
2
81
a(3) n =
2

Equation (3) gives

− 12 = a( − 2) n − 20
a( − 2) n = − 12 + 20
a( − 2) n = 8

We obtain two equations, which we will name equation (4) and equation (5).

81
a(3) n =
2
a( − 2) n = 8

Dividing equation (4) by equation (5), we can eliminate the a factor and solve for n. This can be done
because a ≠ 0.

81
a(3) n 2
=
a( − 2) n 8

( )
−
3
2
n
=
81
16

1
Therefore, n = 4. Substituting into equation (5), we see a( − 2) 4 = 8, so a = 2 .

1
Therefore, the equation of the original function is f(x) = 2 x 4 − 20. The equation of the image function, g(x),

can now be found by applying the functional notation to the given function f(x), as shown here.

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(
1
g(x) = 3f − (x + 2) + 5
2 )
g(x) = 3
[(
1
2
1
− (x + 2)
2 ) 4

]
− 20 + 5

g(x) =
3
2
−( )
1
2
4
(x + 2) 4 − 60 + 5

3
g(x) = (x + 2) 4 − 55
32

Summary
Take a moment now to review the key ideas covered in this module and outlined in this summary.

The function, y = x n, n ∈ Z, n > 1, will have a shape similar to y = x 2 with a turning point at the
origin when n is even, and a shape similar to y = x 3 with a point of inflection at the origin when n
is odd.
The graph of the function, y = a[b(x − h)] n + k, is obtained by applying, in order, the following
transformations to the parent function y = x n:
a vertical stretch from the x-axis by a factor of |a| and if a < 0, a reflection in the x-axis,
1
a horizontal stretch from the y-axis by a factor of and if b < 0, a reflection in the y-
|b|
axis,
a horizontal translation h unit(s), and
a vertical translation k unit(s).

Each point, (x, y), on the parent function will map to a point, ( 1
b )
x + h, ay + k , on the transformed

function.
The equation of the function, y = a[b(x + h)] n + k, can be simplified to y = c(x − h) n + k, where
c = ab n, thus eliminating the reflection in the y-axis and horizontal stretch and reducing the
mapping to (x, y) → (x + h, cy + k).
The domain of the function, y = a[b(x + h)] n + k, is {x ∣ x ∈ R}. The range of the function,
y = a[b(x + h)] n + k, is
{y ∣ y ∈ R} when n is odd,
{y ∣ y ≤ k, y ∈ R} when n is even and a < 0, and
{y ∣ y ≥ k, y ∈ R} when n is even and a > 0.

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