Transformations to Parent

Functions
 Translation (Shift)

A vertical translation is made on a function

by adding or subtracting a number to the
function.
Example: y = x + 3 (translation up)
Example: y = x² - 5 (translation down)

A translation up is also called a vertical shift

up.
A translation down is also called a vertical
shift down.
 Example: y = |x| + 2

Parent function (y = |x|) shown on graph in

red.

The transformation
of the parent
function is shown in
blue. It is a shift up
(or vertical
translation up) of 2
units.)
 Example: y = x - 1

Parent function (y = x) shown on graph in

red.

The transformation
of the parent
function is shown in
blue. It is a shift
down (or vertical
translation down) of
1 unit.
 Reflection

A reflection on the x-axis is made on a

function by multiplying the parent function
by a negative.
Multiplying by a negative “flips” the graph of
the function over the x-axis.

Example: y = -x² is a reflection of the parent

function y = x².
Example: y = - x²

The reflection of
the parent
function is shown
in blue. It is a
reflection over the
x-axis of the
function y = x²
 Stretch

A stretch is made on a parent function by

multiplying the parent function by a number
x such that
|x| > 1.
Example: y = 3x²
A stretch is also referred to as a narrowing of
the graph of the function closer to the y-axis.
Example: y = 2x

The blue line

shows the
graph of the
stretch of the
parent
function,
y = 2x, by a
scale factor of
2.
 Shrink

A shrink is made on a function by multiplying

the parent function by a number x such that
0 < |x| < 1.

Example: y = (½) x.

A shrink is also referred to as a widening of

the graph of the function closer to the x-axis.
Example: y = (¼) x

The blue line

shows the graph
of the shrink of
the parent
function, y =
(¼)x,
¼) by a scale
factor of ¼.
What happens when we2combine the two (blue is parent function)?
y  ( x  6)  2