Graphical Transformations

1. Reflect in x – Axis.
y

P(x , y)

P’(x , – y)

y = f(x) y = – f(x)

2. Reflection in y – Axis
y

P’(– x , y)
P(x , y)

y = f(x) y = f(– x)
3. Reflection in the line y = x ( Inverse of a function)

y=x
y P’(y , x)

P(x , y)

y = f(x) y = f – 1(x)
 𝑎
4. Translation Parallel to x – Axis with translation vector (0) .

P(x , y) P’(x + a , y)
𝑎
( )
0

y = f(x) y = f(x – a)

5. Translation Parallel to y – Axis with translation vector (0) .

𝑏

P(x , y) P’(x , y + b)
0
( )
𝑏

y = f(x) y = f(x) + b
6. Stretch Parallel to y – Axis with stretch factor k = a.( ONE WAY ENLARGEMENT).
y
P’(x , ay)

P(x , y)

y = f(x) y =af(x)

7. Stretch Parallel to x – Axis with stretch factor k = a.( ONE WAY ENLARGEMENT).
y

P’( x/a , y) P(x , y)

y = f(x) y = f(ax)
 Graphical Transformations
1.

Figure 1 shows a sketch of the curve with equation y = f(x) where

f ( x) = ( x + 3) 2 ( x − 1) .
The curve crosses the x-axis at (1, 0), touches it at (– 3, 0) and crosses the y - axis at (0, – 9)
(i) In the space below, sketch the curve C with equation y = f(x + 2) and state the coordinates
of the points where the curve C meets the x - axis.

(– 5, 0)

(– 2, – 9 )

(ii) Write down an equation of the curve C.

f ( x) = ( x + 3) 2 ( x − 1) .
𝑓(𝑥 + 2) = [(𝑥 + 2) + 3]2 [(𝑥 + 2) − 1]
𝑦 = (𝑥 + 5)2 (𝑥 + 1)

(iii) Use your answer to part (ii) to find the coordinates of the point where the curve C meets
the y - axis.

For the coordinates of the point where the curve C meets the y – axis, x = 0,
𝑦 = (𝑥 + 5)2 (𝑥 + 1)
y = (0 + 5)2(0+1)
y = 25
8. The diagram below shows the graph of y = f(x).

(b) Sketch, on this diagram, the graph of y = g(x + π). for − π ≤ x ≤ 0.

−π

(c) Describe fully a sequence of transformations that maps the curve y = f(x) on to y = f(x + π).

− π
Answer: Translation along to x – axis with translation factor   .
 0 

9.
 y M (2, 4)
•

–5 O 5 x

Figure shows the graph of y = f(x), – 5  x  5. The point M (2, 4) is the maximum turning point
of the graph. Sketch, on separate diagrams, the graphs of

(a) y = f(x) + 3,

y M (2, 7)
•

y =3

x
–5 O 5

(b) y = f(x),

y M (2, 4)
•

–5 O 5 x
10. In each of parts (a), (b) and (c), the graph shown with solid lines has equation y = f(x). The
graph shown with broken lines is a transformation of y = f(x).
(a)

State, in terms of f, the equation of the graph shown with broken lines.
y = f( - x)
(b)

State, in terms of f, the equation of the graph shown with broken lines.
y = 2 f(x)
(c)

State, in terms of f, the equation of the graph shown with broken lines.

y = f (x + 4) – 3
11.

Figure shows the graph of y = f (x), 1 < x < 9. The points T(3, 5) and S(7, 2) are turning points
on the graph. Sketch, on separate diagrams, the graphs of
(a) y = 2f (x) – 4,

(b) y = f(x), .

Indicate on each diagram the coordinates of any turning points on your sketch.
12.

The function f is defined for all real values of x by f ( x) = 2 − 3 x + 1 .The diagram shows the
graph of y = f(x).
(i) Find the set of values of x for which f(x) = |f(x)|.

y=0

f ( x) = 2 − 3 x + 1 = 0

f ( x) = 2 − 3 x + 1 = 2

x+1=8 x=7

f(x) = |f(x)| for x < 7

(ii) Find an expression for f −1(x).

f – 1(x)= (2 – x )3 – 1

(iii) State how the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1(x) are related geometrically.

Reflection of each other in the line y = x.

 1 
13. The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = 1 + f  x  .Describe fully the two single
2 
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.

Answer: stretch parallel to x – axis with stretch factor 2 followed by a translation along y – axis
 0
with translation vector   .
1

14.
 2
The curve y = x 2 + 3x + 4 is translated by   . Find and simplify the equation of the translated
0
curve.
y = f (x – 2)
y = (x – 2)2 + 3(x – 2) + 4
y = x2 – 4x + 4 + 3x – 6 + 4
y = x2 – x + 2
Answer: y = x 2 − x + 2 .

15.
 0 
The curve y = x 2 + 5x + 2 is translated by   . Find and simplify the equation of the
 − 3
translated curve.
y = f (x ) – 3
y = x2 + 5x + 2 – 3
y = x2 + 5x – 1
Answer: y = x 2 + 5x − 1 .

16.
 − 2
The curve y = x 2 − 3x + 5 is translated by   . Find and simplify the equation of the
 3 
translated curve.
y = f (x + 2) + 3
y = (x + 2)2 – 3(x + 2) + 5 + 3
y = x2 + 4x + 4 – 3x – 6 + 5 + 3
y = x2 + x + 6

Answer: y = x 2 + x + 6 .
 3 
17. The curve y = 2 x 2 − 4 x − 3 is translated by   . Find and simplify the equation of the
 − 2
translated curve.
y = f (x – 3) – 2
y = 2(x – 3)2 – 4(x – 3) – 3 – 2
y = 2(x2 – 6x + 9) – 4x + 12 – 3 – 2
y = 2x2 – 16x + 25

Answer: y = 2 x 2 − 16 x + 25 .
18.
 − 2
The curve y = 3x 2 − 2 x + 1 is translated by   . Find and simplify the equation of the
 − 3
translated curve. Answer: y = 3x 2 + 10 x + 6. .
19. The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = 3f( – x). Describe fully the two single
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.
Answer: Reflection in y – axis followed by a stretch along y – axis with stretch factor 3.
20. The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = 2f(3x). Describe fully the two single
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.
1
Answer: stretch parallel to x – axis with stretch factor followed by a stretch along y – axis
3
with stretch factor 2.
21. The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = – f( – x). Describe fully the two single
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.
Answer: Reflection in y – axis followed by a reflection in x – axis.
22. The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = – 3f( – x). Describe fully the two single
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.
Answer: Reflection in y – axis followed by a stretch along y – axis with stretch factor –3.
23. The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = 3f( – 2x). Describe fully the two single
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.
1
Answer: stretch parallel to x – axis with stretch factor − followed by a stretch along y – axis
2
with stretch factor 3.