Connexions module: m11470 1

Transformation of Functions
Exploration Lesson ∗

Debbie Trahan
This work is produced by The Connexions Project and licensed under the
†
Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract
In this module the students will explore transformations of a square root function algebraically,

graphically, and using a table of values.

1 Transformation of Functions Exploration

In this lesson you will be investigating the transformation of a function by examining the notations, the
tables of values and the graphs of the function and its transformations. After working through problems 1 -
11, you will be able to explain the eects of the following transformations on the graph of the function f (x)
if c > 0 .
f (x) + c ; f (x) − c ; f (x + c) ; f (x − c) ; cf (x) if 0 < c < 1 ; cf (x) if c > 1 ; f (cx) if 0 < c < 1 ; f (cx)
if c > 1 ; − (f (x)) ; f (−x) . √
In problems 1 - 11, you will examine the function f (x) = x and its transformations.
Exercise 1 (Solution on p. 7.)
√
Given the function f (x) = x and the table of values for f (x) , graph y = f (x) on the grid
(gure 1).

Figure 1

∗ Version 1.4: Jun 9, 2005 11:10 am GMT-5

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Connexions module: m11470 2

Exercise 2 √ (Solution on p. 7.)

The function y = x + 2 is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (x + 2) can be used to
show this transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of
values to help you graph the transformation (gure 3) . Explain how the transformation changed
the graph of f (x) .

Figure 2

Exercise 3 √ (Solution on p. 7.)

The function y = x − 1 is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (x − 1) can be used to
show this transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of
values to help you graph the transformation (gure 5) . Explain how the transformation changed
the graph of f (x) .

Figure 3

Exercise 4 (Solution on p. 8.)

√
The function y = (−3) + x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (x) − 3 can be used to
show this transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of
values to help you graph the transformation (gure 7) . Explain how the transformation changed
the graph of f (x) .

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Connexions module: m11470 3

Figure 4

Exercise 5 (Solution on p. 8.)

√
The function y = 1 + x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (x) + 1 can be used to
show this transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of
values to help you graph the transformation (gure 9) . Explain how the transformation changed
the graph of f (x) .

Figure 5

Exercise 6 (Solution on p. 8.)

√
The function y = 2 x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation 2f (x) can be used to show this
transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of values to
help you graph the transformation (gure 11) . Explain how the transformation changed the graph
of f (x) .

Figure 6

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Connexions module: m11470 4

Exercise 7 (Solution on p. 8.)

√
The function y = .5 x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation .5f (x) can be used to show this
transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of values to
help you graph the transformation (gure 13) . Explain how the transformation changed the graph
of f (x) .

Figure 7

Exercise 8 √ (Solution on p. 9.)

The function y = 2x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (2x) can be used to show this
transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of values to
help you graph the transformation (gure 15) . Explain how the transformation changed the graph
of f (x) .

Figure 8

Exercise 9 √ (Solution on p. 9.)

The function y = .5x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (.5x) can be used to show this
transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of values to
help you graph the transformation (gure 17) . Explain how the transformation changed the graph
of f (x) .

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Connexions module: m11470 5

Figure 9

Exercise 10 (Solution on p. 9.)

√
The function y = − ( x) is a transformation of f (x) . The notation − (f (x)) can be used to show
this transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of values
to help you graph the transformation (gure 19) . Explain how the transformation changed the
graph of f (x) .

Figure 10

Exercise 11 √ (Solution on p. 10.)

The function y = −x is a transformation of f (x) . The notation f (−x) can be used to show this
transformation. Graph f (x) in red. Complete the table of values then use the table of values to
help you graph the transformation (gure 21) . Explain how the transformation changed the graph
of f (x) .

Figure 11

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Connexions module: m11470 6

Answer questions 12 - 21 to test your knowledge of functions and their transformations.

Exercise 12 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and c > 0 explain how the transformation g (x) + c
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 13 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and c > 0 explain how the transformation g (x) − c
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 14 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and c > 0 explain how the transformation g (x + c)
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 15 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and c > 0 explain how the transformation g (x − c)
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 16 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and c > 1 explain how the transformation g (cx)
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 17 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and 0 < c < 1 explain how the transformation g (cx)
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 18 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and c > 1 explain how the transformation cg (x)
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 19 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) , c is a real number , and 0 < c < 1 explain how the transformation cg (x)
changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 20 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) explain how the transformation − (g (x)) changes the graph of g (x) .
Exercise 21 (Solution on p. 10.)
Given the function g (x) explain how the transformation g (−x) changes the graph of g (x) .

2 Transformations of Functions Exploration Modules

After you have completed this lesson you can continue to explore transformations of functions by choosing
a module listed below.
Go to Transformation of Functions (Graphically) Module 1

Go to Transformation of Functions (Verbally) Module 2

Go to Transformation of Functions using a Graphing Calculator Module 3

1 "Transformation of Functions (Graphically)" <http://cnx.org/content/m11471/latest/>

2 "Transformation of Functions (Verbally)" <http://cnx.org/content/m11472/latest/>
3 "Transformation of Functions using a Graphing Calculator" <http://cnx.org/content/m11473/latest/>

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Connexions module: m11470 7

Solutions to Exercises in this Module

Solution to Exercise 1 (p. 1)

Figure 12

Solution to Exercise 2 (p. 2)

The graph of f has been translated 2 units to the left. (gure 4)

Figure 13

Solution to Exercise 3 (p. 2)

The graph of f has been translated 1 unit to the right. (gure 6)

Figure 14

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Connexions module: m11470 8

Solution to Exercise 4 (p. 2)

The graph of f has been translated 3 units down. (gure 8)

Figure 15

Solution to Exercise 5 (p. 3)

The graph of f has been translated 1 unit up. (gure 10)

Figure 16

Solution to Exercise 6 (p. 3)

The graph of f has been vertically stretched by a scale factor of 2. (gure 12)

Figure 17

Solution to Exercise 7 (p. 4)

The graph of f has been vertically compressed by a scale factor of 0.5 . (gure 14)

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Connexions module: m11470 9

Figure 18

Solution to Exercise 8 (p. 4)

The graph of f has been horizontally compressed by a scale factor of 0.5 . (gure 16)

Figure 19

Solution to Exercise 9 (p. 4)

The graph of f has been horizontally stretched by a scale factor of 2. (gure 18)

Figure 20

Solution to Exercise 10 (p. 5)

The graph of f has been reected over the x - axis. (gure 20)

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Connexions module: m11470 10

Figure 21

Solution to Exercise 11 (p. 5)

The graph of f has been reected over the y - axis. (gure 22)

Figure 22

Solution to Exercise 12 (p. 6)

The graph of g (x) will be translated c units up.
Solution to Exercise 13 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be translated c units down.
Solution to Exercise 14 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be translated c units to the left.
Solution to Exercise 15 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be translated c units to the right.
Solution to Exercise 16 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be horizontally compressed by a scale factor of 1
c .
Solution to Exercise 17 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be horizontally stretched by a scale factor of c .
Solution to Exercise 18 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be vertically stretched by a scale factor of c .
Solution to Exercise 19 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be vertically compressed by a scale factor of 1
c .
Solution to Exercise 20 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be reected over the x - axis.
Solution to Exercise 21 (p. 6)
The graph of g (x) will be reected over the y - axis.

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