TRANSFORMATION OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS: HANDOUT

This a summary of the effects of manipulating different parts of the logarithmic function.

In general, we can represent the logarithmic function in the form:

f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, with a vertical asymptote at x = d

There are 3 main types of transformations, arranged in the order below:

1. Stretch/Compress:

• For f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, the effect of a is to vertically stretch or compress the
graph.

• If | a | > 1, it vertically stretches the graph of the function by a factor of a.

• If 0 < | a | < 1, it vertically compresses the graph of the function by a factor of a.

• For f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, the effect of k is to horizontally stretch or compress

the graph.

1
• If | k | > 1, it horizontally compresses the graph of the function by a factor of .
k
1
• If 0 < | k | < 1 , it horizontally stretches the graph of the function by a factor of .

k
2. Reflection

• For f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, if a < 0, the effect of a is to reflect the graph on the x-
axis.

• For f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, if k < 0, the effect of k is to reflect the graph on the y-
axis.

3. Translation:

• For f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, the effect of c is to translate the graph horizontally by
c units.

• If c > 0, it moves to the right.

• If c < 0, it moves to the left.

• For f (x) = a logb [k (x − c)] + d, the effect of d is to translate the graph vertically by d
units.

• If d > 0, it moves upwards.

• If d < 0, it moves downwards.

To summarize:

• Apply stretch and/or reflection first before applying translations.