Graphs and

Transformations
Alejandra & Eduardo

Parent Functions

Constant Function
f(x) = 1

Identity Function

Absolute-value Function

Greatest Integer Function

Quadratic Function

Cubic Function

Reciprocal Function

Square Root Function

Cube Root Function

Vertical Shifts
+ The graph of g(x) = f(x) + c is the graph of f
shifted upwards c units
+ The graph of g(x) = f(x) - c is the graph of f
shifted downwards c units.

f(x) = x + 3

f(x) = x

Horizontal Shifts
+ The graph of g(x) = f(x + c) is the graph of f
shifted c units to the left
+ The graph of g(x) = f(x - c) is the graph of f
shifted c units to the right.

f(x) = x

f(x) = (x-3)

Reflections
+ The graph of g(x) = -f(x) is the graph of f
reflected across the x-axis
+ The graph of g(x) = f(-x) is the graph of f
reflected across the y-axis.

f(x) = (-x)3

f(x) = x3

Stretches and Compressions

Vertical Stretches and Compressions
+ If c > 1, the graph of g(x) = c x f(x) is the graph
of f stretched vertically, away from the
x-axis, by a factor of c.
+ If c < 1, the graph of g(x) = c x f(x) is the graph
of f compressed vertically, toward the
x-axis

f(x) = 3x
f(x) = x

f(x) = 0.5x

Stretches and Compressions

Horizontal Stretches and Compressions
+ If c > 1, the graph of g(x) = f[(c)(x)] is the
graph of f compressed horizontally, toward
the y-axis, by a factor of 1/c
+ If c < 1, the graph of g(x) = f[(c)(x)] is the
graph of f stretched horizontally, away
from the y-axis, by a factor of 1/c

f(x) = (4x)
f(x) = x

f(x) = (0.5x)

Combining Transformations
For a function of the form g(x) = c f(a(x - b) + d,
first graph f(x).
1. If a < 1, reflect the graph across the y-axis.
2. Stretch or compress the graph horizontally by
a factor of |1/a|.
3. Shift the graph horizontally by a b units: right if
b > o, and left if b < o.

Combining Transformations
For a function of the form g(x) = c f(a(x - b) + d,
first graph f(x).
4. If c < 0, reflect the graph across the x-axis.
5. Stretch or compress the graph vertically by a
factor of |c |.
6. Shift the graph vertically by d units: up if d > 0,
and down if d < 0.

f(x) = 2(x-3)2 + 2

f(x) = x2

Symmetry

Y-axis Symmetry
+ A graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis
if whenever (x,y) is on the graph, then (-x,y) is
also on it.
+ Replacing x by -x produces an equivalent
equation.

X-axis Symmetry
+ A graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis
if whenever (x,y) is on the graph, then (x,-y) is
also on it.
+ Replacing y by -y produces an equivalent
equation.

x2 + y2 = 9

Origin Symmetry
+ A graph is symmetrical in respect to the origin
if whenever (x,y) is on the graph, then (-x,-y) is
also on it.
+ Replacing x by -x and y by -y produces an
equivalent equation.

f(x) = sin(x)

Even Functions
A function f is even if
+ f(-x) = f(x) for every value x in domain of f.
+ The graph of an even function is symmetric
with respect to the y-axis.
+ |x|, x2, x4, cos(x)

Odd Functions
A function f is odd if
+ f(-x) = -f(x) for every value x in domain of f.
+ The graph of an odd function is symmetric
with respect to the origin.
+ x, x3, sin(x).

Exercises
1. Identify the parent function?
a. f(x) = -3x+2
b. f(x) = 7
2. Verify that this equation is symmetric with respect to the
y-axis
a. y= x4- 5x2 + 3
3. Verify that this equation is symmetric with respect to the
x-axis
a. y2 = 4x - 12

Credits & Resources

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Presentation template by SlidesCarnival

Illustrations by Unsplash
Graphs done in Desmos Graphing Calculator
Screenshots done with Snipping Tool
Hungerford, Thomas W., Irene Jovell, and Betty
Mayberry. Precalculus: A Graphing Approach.
Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2006. Print.