Notes Topic 1.12 Transformations of Functions Updated
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Raad Al-Shaikh MD JDNotes Topic 1.12 Transformations of Functions Updated
Uploaded by
Raad Al-Shaikh MD JDNotes: (Topic 1.
12) Transformations of Functions
An important aspect of understanding functions is the concept of transformations. Throughout this course (as well as past
and future courses), we will study a variety of functions and their graphs. All of these functions can be viewed through
the perspective of transformations. Transformations will weave through everything we learn in AP Precalculus, and they
provide a way for us to connect the topics we learn throughout the course.
Below is a table of transformations, along with how each transformation affects a graph.
Transformations of Functions
Vertical Translation Horizontal Translation Vertical Dilation Horizontal Dilation
𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑘 𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 + ℎ ) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑓(𝑥 ) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑏𝑥 )
𝑓 has a vertical translation 𝑓 has a horizontal 𝑓 has a vertical dilation by 𝑓 has a horizontal dilation
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of 𝑘 units translation of −ℎ units a factor of |𝑎| units by a factor of | | units
𝑏
𝑔 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 2 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥 + 2) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = −2𝑓(𝑥 ) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(−𝑥 )
Note: If 𝑎 < 0, 𝑓 is Note: If 𝑏 < 0, 𝑓 is
reflected over the 𝑥-axis. reflected over the 𝑦-axis
A Few Important Notes and Tips on Transformations
1. Any transformations that affect the 𝑥 values will occur inside the parenthesis with the 𝑥 variable.
2. Any transformations that affect the 𝑥 values will do the opposite of what it looks like to the 𝑥 values.
3. Any transformations that affect the 𝑦 values will occur outside the parenthesis.
4. Any transformations that affect the 𝑦 values will do exactly what it looks like to the 𝑦 values.
Example 1: Let 𝑔 be a function that is a transformation of the function 𝑓 such that 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2𝑓 (𝑥 − 3) + 1. Describe the
transformations of the function 𝑓 that result with the function 𝑔.
Notes: Transformations of Functions Topic 1.12 Created by Bryan Passwater
Example 2: Let 𝑛 be a function that is a transformation of the function 𝑚 such that 𝑛(𝑥 ) = −4𝑚(2𝑥 ). Describe the
transformations of the function 𝑚 that result with the function 𝑛.
Graph of 𝑓
Example 3: The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 ), consisting of two line segments and a semicircle, is shown for −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5. Sketch
a graph of 𝑔 on the same axes above where 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥 + 3) − 4.
Graph of ℎ
Example 4: The graph of 𝑦 = ℎ(𝑥 ) has a hole at 𝑥 = 4 and consists of three linear segments. Sketch a graph of 𝑘 on the
same axes above where 𝑘 (𝑥 ) = −ℎ(2𝑥 ) + 1.
Notes: Transformations of Functions Topic 1.12 Created by Bryan Passwater
Example 5: The domain of 𝑓 from Example 3 is −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 and the range of 𝑓 is 1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 3. Find the domain and
range of 𝑔, where 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2𝑓(𝑥 + 3) − 4.
𝑥 −2 0 2 4 6
𝑝 (𝑥 ) 1 −1 0 3 7
Example 6: The table above gives values for a function 𝑝 at selected values of 𝑥. Let ℎ(𝑥 ) = 3𝑝(2𝑥 ) − 1. Find the
following values.
(a) ℎ(−1) (b) ℎ(2) (c) ℎ(0)
Example 7: The function 𝑔 is constructed by applying three transformations to the graph of 𝑓 in this order: a horizontal
dilation by a factor of 3, a vertical dilation by a factor of 4, and a vertical translation by −7 units. If 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑓(𝑏𝑥 ) + 𝑐,
find the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐.
𝑥 −12 −6 −3 0 3
ℎ (𝑥 ) 1 −1 0 3 7
Example 8: The table above gives values for a function ℎ at selected values of 𝑥. Let 𝑘 (𝑥 ) = 𝑎ℎ(𝑏𝑥 ) + 𝑐, where
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are positive constants. In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of 𝑘 is constructed by applying three transformations to the
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graph of ℎ in this order: a horizontal dilation by a factor of , a vertical dilation by a factor of 3, and a vertical
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translation by 1 unit. Find the value of 𝑘(−6).
Example 9: The function 𝑝 is given by 𝑝(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 − 2. The graph of 𝑟 is the image of the graph of 𝑝 after a horizontal
translation of 4 to the graph of 𝑝. If 𝑟(𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, find the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
