1-2

1-2 Introduction
Introductionto
toParent
ParentFunctions
Functions

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

HoltMcDougal
Holt Algebra 2Algebra 2
1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Warm Up

1. For the power 35, identify the exponent

and the base. exponent: 5; base: 3
Evaluate.

2.

3. f(9) when f(x)=2x + 21

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions

Objectives
Identify parent functions from graphs
and equations.
Use parent functions to model real-
world data and make estimates for
unknown values.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions

Vocabulary
parent function

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions

Similar to the way that numbers are

classified into sets based on common
characteristics, functions can be classified
into families of functions. The parent
function is the simplest function with the
defining characteristics of the family.
Functions in the same family are
transformations of their parent function.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions

Parent Functions

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions

Helpful Hint
To make graphs appear accurate on a graphing
calculator, use the standard square window. Press
ZOOM
ZOOM , choose 6:ZStandard, press ZOOM
again, and choose 5:ZSquare.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

 1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Example 1A: Identifying Transformations of Parent
Functions
Identify the parent function for g from its function rule. Then
graph g on your calculator and describe what transformation
of the parent function it represents.
g(x) = x – 3
g(x) = x – 3 is linear x has a power of 1.
The linear parent function ƒ(x) = x
intersects the y-axis at the point (0, 0).
Graph Y1 = x – 3 on the graphing
calculator. The function g(x) = x – 3
intersects the y-axis at the point (0, –3).
So g(x) = x – 3 represents a vertical
translation of the linear parent function 3
units down.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Example 1B: Identifying Transformations of Parent
Functions
Identify the parent function for g from its function rule. Then
graph on your calculator and describe what transformation of
the parent function it represents.
g(x) = x2 + 5
g(x) = x2 + 5 is quadratic. x has a power of 2.
The quadratic parent function ƒ(x) = x
intersects the y-axis at the point (0, 0).

Graph Y1 = x2 + 5 on a graphing
calculator. The function g(x) = x2 + 5
intersects the y-axis at the point (0, 5).
So g(x) = x2 + 5 represents a vertical
translation of the quadratic parent
function 5 units up.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Check It Out! Example 1a
Identify the parent function for g from its function rule. Then
graph on your calculator and describe what transformation of
the parent function it represents.

g(x) = x3 + 2

g(x) = x3 + 2 is cubic. x has a power of 3.

The cubic parent function ƒ(x) = x3
intersects the y-axis at the point (0, 0).
Graph Y1 = x3 + 2 on a graphing calculator.
The function g(x) = x3 + 2 intersects the
y-axis at the point (0, 2).
So g(x) = x3 + 2 represents a vertical
translation of the quadratic parent
function 2 units up.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Check It Out! Example 1b
Identify the parent function for g from its function rule. Then
graph on your calculator and describe what transformation of
the parent function it represents.

g(x) = (–x)2
g(x) = (–x)2 is quadratic. x has a power of 2.

The quadratic parent function ƒ(x) = x2

intersects the y-axis at the point (0, 0).
Graph Y1 = (–x)2 on a graphing
calculator. The function g(x) = (–x)2
intersects the y-axis at the point (0, 0).
So g(x) = (–x)2 represents a reflection
across the y-axis of the quadratic
parent function.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
It is often necessary to work with a set of data
points like the ones represented by the table below.

x –4 –2 0 2 4
y 8 2 0 2 8

With only the information in the table, it is

impossible to know the exact behavior of the data
between and beyond the given points. However, a
working knowledge of the parent functions can
allow you to sketch a curve to approximate those
values not found in the table.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Example 2: Identifying Parent Functions to Model
Data Sets
Graph the data from this set of ordered pairs. Describe the
parent function and the transformation that best approximates
the data set. {(–2, 12), (–1, 3), (0, 0), (1, 3), (2, 12)}

x –2 –1 0 1 2
y 12 3 0 3 12
The graph of the data points resembles the shape
of the quadratic parent function ƒ(x) = x2.
The quadratic parent function passes through the
points (1, 1) and (2, 4). The data set contains the
points (1, 1) = (1, 3(1)) and (2, 4) = (2, 3(4)).

The data set seems to represent a vertical

stretch of the quadratic parent function by a
factor of 3.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
 1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Check It Out! Example 2
Graph the data from the table. Describe the parent function
and the transformation that best approximates the data
set.

x –4 –2 0 2 4
y –12 –6 0 6 12 
The graph of the data points resembles
the shape of the linear parent function 
ƒ(x) = x.
The linear parent function passes 
through the points (2, 2) and (4, 4).
The data set contains the points
(2, 2) = (2, 3(2)) and (4, 4) = (4, 3(4)). 
The data set seems to represent a vertical
stretch of the linear function by a factor of 3.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Consider the two data points (0, 0) and (0, 1). If you plot them
on a coordinate plane you might very well think that they are
part of a linear function. In fact they belong to each of the
parent functions below.

Remember that any parent function you use to approximate a

set of data should never be considered exact. However, these
function approximations are often useful for estimating
unknown values.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Example 3: Application
Graph the relationship from year to sales in millions
of dollars and identify which parent function best
describes it. Then use the graph to estimate when
cumulative sales reached $10 million.
Cumulative Sales
Year Sales (million $)
1 0.6
2 1.8
3 4.2
4 7.8
5 12.6

Step 1 Graph the relation.

Graph the points given in the table. Draw
a smooth curve through them to help you
see the shape.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Example 3 Continued
Step 2 Identify the parent function.

The graph of the data set

resembles the shape of the
quadratic parent function f(x) = x2.

Step 3 Estimate when

cumulative sales reached $10
million.
The curve indicates that sales
will reach the $10 million mark
after about 4.5 years.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Check It Out! Example 3

The cost of playing an online video game

depends on the number of months for which
the online service is used. Graph the
relationship from number of months to cost,
and identify which parent function best
describes the data. Then use the graph to
estimate the cost of 5 months of online
service.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Check It Out! Example 3 Continued

Step 1 Graph the relation.

Graph the points given in the table.
Draw a smooth line through them to
help you see the shape.
Step 2 Identify the parent function.
The graph of the data set resembles the
shape of a linear parent function ƒ(x) =
x.
Step 3 Estimate the cost for 5
months of online service.
The linear graph indicates that the cost
for 5 months of online service is $72.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Lesson Quiz: Part I
Identify the parent function for g from its
function rule. Then graph g on your calculator
and describe what transformation of the parent
function it represents.

1. g(x) = x + 7
linear;
translation up 7 units

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Lesson Quiz: Part II
Identify the parent function for g from its
function rule. Then graph g on your calculator
and describe what transformation of the
parent function it represents.

2. g(x) = x2 – 7
quadratic;
translation down 6 units

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-2 Introduction to Parent Functions
Lesson Quiz: Part III
3. Stacy earns $7.50 per hour. Graph the
relationship from hours to amount earned and
identify which parent function best describes it.
Then use the graph to estimate how many hours it
would take Stacy to earn $60.

linear: 8 hr

Holt McDougal Algebra 2