National Junior College Mathematics Department 2015

National Junior College

2015 – 2016 H2 Mathematics

Topic 2: Transformations of Graphs

Key Questions to Answer:

1. For y f ( x) , can you determine and describe the transformation that results in the
following where a is a constant:
a) y f ( x a)
b) y f( x) a
c) y f(ax)
d) y a f( x)
e) y f x
f) y f x
g) y f ( x) ; y f ( x)
h) y2 f x
1
i) y
f x

2. Are you able to sketch the resulting graph and present graphically its key characteristics
(ASAp) based on the given transformation(s)?

§1 Introduction

The different types of transformations that we will be covering within the syllabus are:
- Translation
- Scaling
- Reflection
- Modulus
- Square-root
- Reciprocal

We will also be looking at how to combine the different types of transformations of graphs.

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§2 Translation

2.1 Vertical Translation

Example 2.1.1

On the same diagram, sketch the graphs of y x 2 1 and y x2 3 .

y x2 3

y x2 1 3

x
−1 1
−1

EXPLORE
How do you obtain the graph of y x 2 3 from the graph of y x2 1 ?

Answer: By ‘shifting’ the graph of y x 2 1 up by 4 units.

(Note that y x2 3 x2 1 4)

How do you obtain the graph of y x 2 1 from the graph of y x2 3 ?

Answer: By ‘shifting’ the graph of y x 2 3 down by 4 units.

(Note that y x2 1 x2 3 4)

In general, the graph of y f( x) a or y a f ( x) is obtained from y f( x) by shifting the graph

up by a units, where a 0 . This can be seen from the fact that one adds ‘a’ to f(x). Similarly, the
graph of y f( x) a or y a f ( x) is obtained from y f( x) by shifting the graph down by a
units, where a 0.

When describing the transformation of y f( x) to y a f( x) , we say that the graph of y f( x) is

translated a units in the positive y direction.

When describing the transformation of y f( x) to y a f( x) , we say that the graph of y f( x) is

translated a units in the negative y direction.

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2.2 Horizontal Translation

Example 2.2.1

On the same diagram, sketch the graphs of y x 2 1 and y ( x 3)2 1 , noting the positions of the
x-intercepts and the asymptotes.
y

x
−1 1 2 4
−1

EXPLORE
2
How do you obtain the graph of y x 3 1 from the graph of y x2 1 ?

Answer: By ‘shifting’ the graph of y x 2 1 to the right by 3 units.

(Note that ' x ' is replaced by ' x 3' )

2
How do you obtain the graph of y x 2 1 from the graph of y x 3 1?

Answer: By ‘shifting’ the graph of y ( x 3)2 1 to the left by 3 units.

(Note that ' x ' is replaced by ' x 3' )

In general, the graph of y f( x a) is obtained from y f( x) by translating the graph to the right
by a units, where a 0 . Similarly, the graph of y f ( x a) is obtained from y f( x) by
translating the graph to the left by a units, where a 0 .

When describing the transformation of y f( x) to y f( x a) , we say that the graph of y f( x) is

translated a units in the positive x direction.

When describing the transformation of y f( x) to y f( x a) , we say that the graph of y f( x) is

translated a units in the negative x direction.

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Example 2.2.2 (Translation)

Sketch, on separate diagrams, the graphs of y f ( x 2) and y f ( x) a , 1 a 2 , for y f ( x) as

shown as the diagram below.

y
1, 2
y 1 y f ( x)

x
O

Solution:

y
y

x
O

O x

In summary, for a 0:

From y f ( x) to Replacement Description From ( x, y) to

Translation of y f ( x) by a units in the
y f ( x) a y to y a ( x, y a)
positive y direction
Translation of y f ( x) by a units in the
y f ( x) a y to y a ( x, y a)
negative y direction
Translation of y f ( x) by a units in the
y f ( x a) x to x a ( x a, y)
negative x direction
Translation of y f ( x) by a units in the
y f ( x a) x to x a ( x a, y)
positive x direction

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§3 Scaling

3.1 Vertical Scaling

Example 3.1.1

1
From the graphs of y sin x , y 2sin x and y sin x , note the positions of the stationary points
2
and the amplitude of the graph.

1
3
2 2
x
0 x

2
1
1 y sin x
2

2 y sin x

y 2sin x

1
y sin x y 2sin x y sin x
2
1
,1 ,2 ,
Stationary points 2 2 2 2
0 x 2 3 3 3 1
, 1 , 2 ,
2 2 2 2

1
Amplitude 1 2
2

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EXPLORE
How do you obtain the graph of y 2sin x from the graph of y sin x ?

Answer: By ‘stretching’ the graph vertically by a factor of 2 with x-axis invariant i.e. the
x-coordinates remain unchanged.

1
How do you obtain the graph of y sin x from the graph of y sin x ?
2

Answer: By ‘compressing’ the graph vertically by a factor of 2 with x-axis invariant.

1
In general, the graph of y a f( x) or y f( x) is obtained from y f( x) by ‘stretching’ the graph
a
vertically by scale factor of a, where a 0 .

1
When describing the transformation of y f( x) to y a f( x) (or
y f( x) ), we say that the graph of
a
y f( x) undergoes scaling parallel to the y-axis (vertical axis) by a factor of a, with the x-axis
invariant.

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3.2 Horizontal Scaling

Example 3.2.1
x
From the graphs of y sin x , y sin 2 x and y , note the positions of the stationary points
sin
2
and the wavelength (length of one complete cycle) of the graph.

x
y sin
1 2

2π
0 x
3 x

2 2

1
y sin 2 x

y sin x

x
y sin x y sin 2 x y sin
2
3
,1 , , 1 ,
Stationary points 3 4 4
,1 , , 1 ,1
0 x 2 2 2 5 7
,1 , , 1
4 4

Wavelength 2 4

EXPLORE
How do you obtain the graph of y sin 2 x from the graph of y sin x ?

Answer: By ‘compressing’ the graph horizontally by a factor of 2 with y-axis invariant

i.e. the y-coordinates remain unchanged.

x
How do you obtain the graph of y sin from the graph of y sin x ?
2

Answer: By ‘stretching’ the graph horizontally by a factor of 2 with y-axis invariant.

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In general, the graph of y f(ax) is obtained from y f( x) by ‘compressing’ the graph

1
horizontally by a factor of , where a 1.
a
x 1
Similarly, the graph of y f f x is obtained from y f( x) by ‘stretching’ the graph
a a
horizontally by a factor of a , where a 1.

When describing the transformation of y f( x) to y f(ax) , where a 0 , we say that the graph of
1
y f( x) undergoes scaling parallel to the x-axis (horizontal axis) by a factor of , with the y-axis
a
invariant.

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Example 3.2.2 (Scaling)

2
Sketch, on separate diagrams, the graphs given by y f ( x) and y f 2 x for the graph of
3
y f ( x) as given in the diagram below.
y

O x

Solutions:

y y

O x O x

In summary, for a 0:

From y f ( x) to Replacement Description From ( x, y) to

y af ( x)
or 1 Scaling of y f ( x) parallel to
y to y x, ay
1 a the y-axis by a factor of a
y f ( x)
a
Scaling of y f ( x) parallel to
x
y f (ax) x to ax 1 ,y
the x-axis by a factor of a
a

WONDER
How do you obtain the graph of y af ( x) (or y f (ax) ) from the graph of y f ( x) ,
where a < 0?

Answer: This involves an additional step of reflection about the x-axis or y-axis to obtain
y af ( x) or y f (ax) respectively. We will further discuss this in the next section.

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§4 Reflection

Example 4.1
From the graphs of y e x 1 and y e x 1 , note any axial intercepts and asymptotes.
y
3

y ex 1
2

1 y 1

0 x
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

-1

y 1
-2

y ex 1
-3

Notice that the graph of y e x 1 is actually a reflection of y e x 1 about the x-axis.

In general, y f ( x) undergoes a reflection about the x-axis to become y f ( x) , otherwise written

as y f ( x) , i.e. a replacement of y with –y.

Example 4.2
From the graphs of y ( x 2)2 1 and y ( x 2)2 1 , note any stationary points and axial
intercepts.
y

y ( x 2) 2
1 y ( x 2)2 1
1

0 x
-3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

-1

(−2, −1) (2, −1)

Notice that the graph of y ( x 2)2 1 is actually a reflection of the graph y ( x 2)2 1 about
the y-axis.

In general, y f ( x) undergoes a reflection about the y-axis to become y f ( x) , i.e., a

replacement of x with –x.

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Example 4.3

Sketch the graphs of y f( x) and y f( x) , where y f( x) is given in the diagram below.

2
−2 x
O

x = −1
Solution:
y
y

2
2 x
x −2 O
O −1
−2
x=1

x= 1

Note: The asymptotes are reflected accordingly as well.

In summary:

From y f ( x) to Replacement Description From ( x, y) to

y f ( x)
or y to y Reflection of y f ( x) about the x-axis x, y
y f ( x)
y f ( x) x to x Reflection of y f ( x) about the y-axis x, y

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§5 Composite Transformations

Many complicated graphs can be obtained from simple ones by applying a sequence of simple
transformations introduced in the previous sections.

The rule is always to remember that every transformation corresponds to a replacement of the
variable. For example,

translation of a units in the ‘x’ replaced by ‘ x a ’

positive x-direction

Therefore if the original graph has the equation y e x sin 3x , then the equation of the graph after
x a
the transformation stated above would be y e sin 3 x a .

Example 5.1

The diagram below shows the graph of y f ( x) . State the sequence of transformations to obtain
the graph of y f (2 x 3) from that of y f ( x) and sketch the graph of y f (2 x 3) .

x
x= 1 O

Solution:
1, 2

y f ( x 3) (Replace ‘ x ’ with ‘ x 3 ’)
Translate 3 units in the positive x direction.

y f (2 x 3) (Replace ‘ x ’ with ‘ 2x ’)
1
Scale parallel to x-axis by factor .
2
Alternatively
1, 2
(Replace ‘ x ’ with ‘ 2x ’)
1
y f (2 x) Scale parallel to x-axis by factor .
2
3
(Replace ‘ x ’ with ‘ x ’)
2
3
y f (2 x 3) Translate units in the positive x direction.
2

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Notes:

1. In Example 5.1, the scaling in the first method results in a replacement of the variable x with 2x,
and the change does not affect the “ –3” that appears within the parentheses.

In the alternative method, however, since the scaling occurs first, if we translate the graph by 3
units in the positive x-direction i.e., replace x with x – 3, then the equation of the resultant graph
would become y = f(2(x – 3)) = f(2x – 6), which is not what we are looking for.

2. The transformations about the x-axis and the y-axis are independent, i.e., the order of
transformations about the x-axis and y-axis do not affect each other.

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§6 Relationships between the graphs of y f ( x) , y f ( x) and y f x

6.1 The Graph of y f( x)

Recall that
f( x), f( x) 0
f( x)
f( x), f( x) 0

Therefore
y y

x x
O 2 O 2

Observe that this is just reflecting all the parts of the graph where f( x) 0 about the x-axis.

Example 6.1.1

Sketch the graph of y f( x) where the graph of y f( x) is shown as follows.

x
O

Solution:
y

x
O

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6.2 The Graph of y f x

Note that
f( x), x 0
f | x| .
f( x), x 0

Therefore
y y

O O
x x
-4 2 -2 4

O x
-2 2

Hence the replacement of x by | x | corresponds to the following transformation: remove the

portion of the graph for x < 0. Reflect and retain the graph for x 0 about the y-axis.
must mention retain as graph must be present at both sides

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Example 6.2.1

Given the graph of y f x , sketch the graph of y f x .

y
B(1, 1)
y f x
A(2, 0)
O x

y= 1

Solution:
y

1,1

x
O

EXPLORE
How do you obtain the graph of y f x from the graph of y f( x) ?

Answer: Remove the portion where x > 0 and reflect and retain the portion where x 0
about the y-axis.

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§7 Relationships between the graphs of y f ( x) and y 2 f ( x)

7.1 The Graph of y f ( x)

The graph of y f x can be obtained from 2 by taking the square root of the
corresponding y-values, i.e. if f 2 4 , then f 2 2 . A comparison between some of the
important aspects of the graphs of y f ( x) and y f x are given in the table below.

y = f(x) y f( x) Implications on graph of y f( x)

Remove the part of the graph of y f( x)

f(x) < 0 Not defined.
that is below the x-axis.

The two graphs y f( x) and y f( x)

f( x) 0,1 f( x) 0,1
intersect at y = 0 and y = 1.

Graph of y f( x) is above that of

0 < f(x) < 1 f( x) f( x)
y f( x) for 0 < y < 1.

Graph of y f( x) is below that of

f(x) > 1 f( x) f( x)
y f( x) for y > 1.

Horizontal Asymptote: Horizontal Asymptote:

y c, c 0 y c

Maximum (minimum) Maximum (minimum)

point at a, b Nature of stationary point will not change.
point at a, b , b 0

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7.2 The Graph of y 2 f( x)

Since y 2 f ( x) y f ( x) , the graph consists of the two graphs y f ( x) and y f ( x) .

Hence, we will need to sketch y f ( x) first, followed by y f ( x) , which is a reflection of
y f ( x) about the x-axis.

Example 7.2.1

Given the graph of 2 , sketch the graph of y 2 f x on the same axes.

y = f(x)
y=4

x
O 1 3

–1

WONDER
Consider Example 7.2.1. What can you say about the gradient of the curve y 2 f x at
the points that lie on the x-axis, and why? How does this affect the shape of the graph at
these points?

Answer: The gradient at these points is infinite (see Appendix 1 for explanation) and
hence, the tangent is vertical, resulting in the curve being ‘smooth’ at these points.

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Example 7.2.2

Given the graph of 2 , sketch the graph of y 2 f x 3 on a separate diagram.

y
x=3

y = f(x)

Solution:
y
x=3

y
x=3

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1
§8 Relationships between the graphs of y f ( x) and y
f ( x)

1
The graph of y can be obtained from y f x by taking the reciprocal of the
f x
corresponding y-values on the graph of y f( x) . A comparison between some of the important
1
aspects of the graphs of y f ( x) and y are given in the table below.
f ( x)

1 1
y f ( x) y Implications on graph of y
f ( x) f ( x)
1
1 Graph of y lies above the x-axis (or
f( x) 0 0 0 0 f ( x)
f( x)
below the x-axis) if f(x) > 0 (or f(x) < 0).
1
1 The graphs of y f ( x) and y
f( x) 1 1 f ( x)
f( x)
intersect at y 1 , if any.
1
f( x) 0 is not defined Vertical asymptote x a when f(a) 0.
f( x)
Gets closer to y = 0. In particular, the
1 oblique asymptote of y f ( x) becomes the
0
f( x) f( x) 1
horizontal asymptote ( y 0 ) of y .
f ( x)
If y f ( x) is above (or below) the
1 1
0 1
f( x) h horizontal asymptote y h , then y
f( x) h 0 f ( x)
1 1
(Conversely, h f( x) 0 ) (Conversely, 0 ) is below (or above) the horizontal
h f( x)
1
asymptote y .
h
1 1
Horizontal Asymptote: 1 1 Horizontal asymptote of y is y .
y c, c 0 f( x) c
f( x) c
1
y f ( x) is increasing is decreasing
f( x)
(decreasing)
(increasing)
Minimum (maximum) Maximum point of y f( x) will become
Maximum (minimum)
1 1
point at u, v , v 0 point at u , minimum point of y and vice versa.
v f( x)

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Example 8.1

The following diagram shows the graph of y f x . Sketch on the same diagram the graph of
1
y .
f x since x=0 is never being shown on the original graph, we excludes the origin

y=4

y = f(x)

x
1 3

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Appendix 1

For a more accurate graph, we need to investigate the behaviour of the curve y f( x) near its x-
intercept.

The following diagrams show the possible behaviours of the graph of y f( x) near the x-
intercepts.

y f( x) y f( x)
Case 1:
f(a) 0,f (a) 0
x
a x
a

Gradient at x = a is infinite.
Case 2:
f(a) 0,f (a) 0,f (a) 0
x x
a a

Gradient at x = a is finite.
Case 3:
f(a) 0,f (a) 0,f (a) 0
x
a
x
a
or

or
x
a
x
a
Gradient at x = a is zero.
f a 0 cannot tell us
if it is a maxima, minima or
stationary point of inflexion.

Note:

If we are given

y f( x)

x
a

but are not given the expression for f(x) and not told if f a 0 , then we would not be able to tell
if in the graph of y f( x) , gradient at x = a is finite (Case 2) or zero (Case 3).

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Example (Refer to the 3 cases on the previous page)

The graphs of y x ( x 1)2 and y x( x 1)4 are shown below. Sketch the graph of y 2 x ( x 1)2
and y 2 x( x 1)4 on separate diagrams.

y y

O x O x
1 1

Solution:
y y

1
x x
O O 1

Note that although the graphs of y x ( x 1)2 and y x( x 1)4 are similar, a “sharp” point is
observed at (1, 0) for the graph of y 2 x ( x 1)2 , while a “flat” point is observed at (1, 0) for the
dy d2 y 2
graph of y 2 x( x 1)4 . This is because at x 1 , 0 and 2
0 for y x( x 1) , while
dx dx
2
dy d y
0 and 2 0 for y x( x 1)4 .
dx dx

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Assume that y 2 f ( x) crosses the x-axis at the point A(a,0) , and hence ( x a)k , where k ,
is a factor of f ( x) .

Then
y 2 f ( x) ( x a) k P( x)
dy
2y k ( x a) k 1 P( x) ( x a) k ]P ( x)
dx
k 1
dy ( x a) kP( x) ( x a)P ( x)
dx 2( x a) k /2 P( x)
dy 1
( x a)( k 2)/2
Q( x) for some function Q( x) where Q(a) 0
dx 2

We may conclude that

dy
Case 1: k 2 at A
dx
tangent at A is vertical

dy
Case 2: k 2 m 0 at A
dx
two intersecting tangents at A

dy
Case 3: k 2 0 at A
dx
tangent at A is horizontal

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