MHF4U Unit 1 Lesson 4

Transformations

Learning Goal:

• To determine what a translations does.

• To determine the transformation mapping for vertical and horizontal translations

Transformation changes one or more of the location, shape, size, or orientation of an

object in the coordinate plane. The object could be a function like 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , or a
geometric shape, like △ABD.

The initial object is called the pre-image. The object that results after transforming the
pre-image is called the image..

Create an image by sliding △ABD 2 units to the left

and 1 unit down.

A transformation that changes only the location of the object in the plane is called
a translation.
The size, shape, and orientation of △ABD would not be changed. The point that
corresponds to A on the image is A′, to B is B′, and to D is D′. “A′” is read as “A prime.”

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MHF4U Unit 1 Lesson 4

Vertical and Horizontal Translations of Functions

For y=f(x)+k,

• when k>0, the graph of y=f(x) is translated up k units, and

• when k<0, the graph of y=f(x) is translated down |k| units.

For y=f(x−h),

• when h>0, the graph of y=f(x) is translated right h units, and

• when h<0, the graph of y=f(x) is translated left |h| units.

• If h<0, translate left.

• If h>0, translate right.
• If k<0, translate down.
• If k>0, translate up.

Using mapping notation, a horizontal translation of h units and a vertical translation

of k units would be written

(𝑥, 𝑦) →

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MHF4U Unit 1 Lesson 4

Example 1

Given the function f(x) shown on the grid, sketch 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + 2) − 3.

Example 2

Determine the equation of the following function. State the domain and range of the
image. Sketch the image.

The function 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 is translated horizontally 5 units to the left.

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MHF4U Unit 1 Lesson 4

Example 3

Determine the equation of the following function. State the domain and range of the
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image. Sketch the image. The mapping (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑥 + 3, 𝑦 + 5) is applied to 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥.

Example 4

Determine the translation which maps 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 11 onto 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3.