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Combinations of Transformations Simplified Revision Notes

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2.10.1 Combinations of Transformations

Transformations of Graphs and Functions

There are three main types of transformations that can be performed on a function:

  1. Translation: Represented by + or -
  2. Stretching: Represented by ×
  3. Reflection: Represented by -

Important Rules when applying these Transformations

  1. Outside Transformation: Does what it says to the y-values.
  2. Inside Transformation: Does the opposite of what it says to the x-values.
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Examples: Describe in words the following transformations applied to f(x)f(x).


  1. Translation f(x)f(x+2)f(x) \longmapsto f(x + 2)
  • Translation by (-2, 0)
  • Moves the graph 2 units to the left.

  1. Translation f(x)f(x)+6f(x) \longmapsto f(x) + 6
  • Translation by (0, 6)
  • Moves the graph 6 units up.

  1. Reflection f(x)f(x)f(x) \longmapsto f(-x)
  • Reflect in the y-axis (i.e., reflection in the x-direction).

  1. Stretching f(x)3f(x)f(x) \longmapsto 3f(x)
  • Stretch by a scale factor of 3 parallel to the y-axis.

  1. Stretching f(x)f(6x)f(x) \longmapsto f(6x)
  • Stretch by a scale factor of 1/6 parallel to the x-axis.

Additional Transformations Examples

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Example: Translate y=x2y = x^2 by (0,4)(0, 4)

  • y=x2y=x2+4y = x^2 \longmapsto y = x^2 + 4.
  • Original Function: y=x2y = x^2
  • Transformation: Translate up by 4 units
  • New Function: y=x2+4y = x^2 + 4
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Example: Reflect y=x3y = x^3 in the y-axis

  • y=x3y=(x)3y = x^3 \longmapsto y = (-x)^3.
  • Original Function: y=x3y = x^3
  • Transformation: Reflect in the y-axis
  • New Function: y=(x)3y = (-x)^3
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Example: Reflect y=x3y = x^3 in the x-axis

  • y=x3y=x3y = x^3 \longmapsto y = -x^3.
  • Original Function: y=x3y = x^3
  • Transformation: Reflect in the x-axis
  • New Function: y=x3y = -x^3
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Graph Examples: The following graph shows y=f(x)y=f(x)


  1. Sketching y=2f(x)y = 2f(x)
  • Stretch by scale factor 2 parallel to the y-axis.

  1. Translation y=f(x+3)y = f(x + 3)
  • Translate by (-3, 0).
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Find the Equation of the Curve when the graph of y=x2+2x+1y = x^2 + 2x + 1 is transformed as follows

  1. Translation y=x2+2x+1y = x^2 + 2x + 1 translated by (0, -3) f(x)f(x)3f(x) \longmapsto f(x)-3
  • y=(x2+2x+1)3y = (x^2 + 2x + 1) - 3
  • y=x2+2x2y = x^2 + 2x - 2
  1. Reflection in the y-axis y=x2+2x+1y = x^2 + 2x + 1 f(x)f(x)f(x) \longmapsto f(-x)
  • y=(x)2+2(x)+1y = (-x)^2 + 2(-x) + 1
  • y=x22x+1y = x^2 - 2x + 1
  1. Translation y=x2+2x+1y = x^2 + 2x + 1 translated by (-3, 0) f(x)f(x+3)f(x) \longmapsto f(x+3)
  • y=(x+3)2+2(x+3)+1y = (x + 3)^2 + 2(x + 3) + 1
  • y=x2+6x+9+2x+6+1y = x^2 + 6x + 9 + 2x + 6 + 1
  • y=x2+8x+16y = x^2 + 8x + 16
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Summary

  • Translations: Move the graph up, down, left, or right.
  • Stretches: Change the shape of the graph by scaling it.
  • Reflections: Flip the graph over a specified axis.

Multiple Transformations of Functions

Recap:

  • "Outside" transformations do what they say to y.
  • "Inside" transformations do the opposite of what they say to x.
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Example 1: Describe fully the following transformation:

f(x)3+f(2x)f(x) \longmapsto 3 + f(2x)
  1. Translate (03)\binom{0}{3} then Stretch S.F. 1/2 parallel to the x-axis.
  • OR-
  1. Stretch S.F. 1/2 parallel to the x-axis then Translate (03)\binom{0}{3}.
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Notice: In the above example, the order of transformations being performed doesn't matter. Since one is in the x-direction and one is in the y-direction, they are independent of each other.


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Example 2: Describe fully the transformation that transforms

y=extoy=5ex+3y = e^x \quad \text{to} \quad y = 5e^x + 3

Note: Order is important as both transformations are in the y-direction.

  1. First, ×5\times 5: Stretch by S.F. 5 parallel to the y-axis.
  2. Next, +3+3: Translate (03)\binom{0}{3}.

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Example: Describe fully the transformations that transform

y=f(x)y=3f(2x+3)y = f(x) \longmapsto y = 3f(2x + 3)

Note here there are 3 separate transformations.

Two are "inside," and for "inside" transformations, the usual order is reversed.

  1. Stretch by S.F. 3 parallel to y-axis. yy independent of the two xx transformations so can be placed anywhere in this example.

  2. Translate (30)\binom{-3}{0}

  3. Stretch by S.F. 1/2 parallel to x-axis. xx transformations is opposite order to BIDMAS.


infoNote

Question 1 (June 2005, Q9i [Modified])

The function ff is defined by f(x)=mx+74f(x) = \sqrt{mx+7} - 4, where x7mx \geq -\frac{7}{m} and mm is a positive constant.

(i) A sequence of transformations maps the curve y=xy = \sqrt{x} to the curve y=f(x)y = f(x). Give details of these transformations.

  1. Translate (70)\binom{-7}{0}
  2. Stretch by S.F. 1/m parallel to x-axis.
  3. Translate (04)\binom{0}{-4}

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