Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Prerequisites and Expectations

This module marks the beginning of precalculus and will discuss topics involving equations
and graphs. The following are topics and corresponding skills you may need to review before
proceeding to Track B
Topics:

1. exponents and radicals,

2. linear and quadratic equations,

3. linear and quadratic inequalities

4. absolute value inequalities

Skills:

1. simplify and manipulate expressions involving exponents and radicals

2. solve equations and inequalities

3. translate word problems into mathematical statements

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. graph linear and quadratic equations

2. determine the graph of a given equation

3. answer word problems involving equations and graphs

1
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

1 Graph of an Equation
Definition 1 (Graph of an Equation). The graph of an equation in two variables x and y
consists of the set of points in the xy-plane whose coordinates (x, y) satisfy the equation.

Example 2. Determine whether the following points are on the graph of the equation 2x − 3 =
y + 1.
1. (2, 5)
2. (2, 0)
Solution.
1. We check if x = 2 and y = 5 satisfy the equation 2x − 3 = y + 1. The left-hand side (LHS)
of the equation is
2x − 3 = 2(2) − 3 = 1.
The right-hand side (RHS) of the equation is
y + 1 = 5 + 1 = 6.

Since LHS 6= RHS, the equation is not satisfied. Thus, the point (2, 5) is not on the graph.
2. For the point (2, 0), we have
LHS : 2x − 3 = 2(2) − 3 = 1
RHS : 2y + 1 = 2(0) + 1 = 1.
Since LHS = RHS, the equation is satisfied. Thus, the point (2, 0) is on the graph

For equations with two variables, there are an infinite number of ordered pairs (x, y) that will
satisfy the equation.

Consider what happens if we specify the value of x to be 1. If we substitute x = 1 to the

equation, we get
2(1) − 3 = y + 1
−1 = y + 1
−2 = y
y = −2.
This means that the point (1, −2) satisfies the equation. Repeating this process for more values
of x will give us more points that satisfy the equation. If we find more points, we might be able
to see what the graph looks like. The following table shows some values of x and y that satisfy
the equation.

x y
−1 −6
0 −4
1 −2
2 0

Plotting these points, we get the following.

2
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

By plotting more points, we’ll be able to get a better idea on what the graph looks like. But
it would be inconvenient if we plotted points for every equation we come across, so instead, we
will discuss different graphs that can each be defined by a general equation.

3
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

2 Lines
We know that two points determine a line. But a line can also be determine by a point on the
line and a measure for its steepness. One way to measure the steepness of a line is to compare
its vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run).

In Figure 1, we consider the pair of points on line L, P1 and P2 . Going from P1 to P2 along line
L, the y-value changes from y1 to y2 by an amount y2 − y1 . Similarly, the x-value changes from
x1 to x2 by an amount x2 − x1 . We can define
y2 − y1
m=
x2 − x 1
and we can see that the value of m does not change regardless of the points chosen along the line.

We can consider another pair of points on L, P10 and P20 .

Figure 1

We compute
y20 − y10
m0 = .
x02 − x01
Since 4P1 P P2 ∼
= 4P10 P 0 P20 , we have
y2 − y1 |P P2 |P 0 P 0 y 0 − y10
m= = = 0 02 = 02 = m0 .
x2 − x1 P P1 P P1 x2 − x01
Thus the value of m is the same no matter what two points on L are chosen. This constant is
called the slope of the line.

Definition 3 (Slope of a Line). Consider a line that is not parallel to the y-axis. Let P1 (x1 , y1 )
and P2 (x2 , y2 ) be two distinct points on the line. The slope m of the line is given by
y2 − y1
m= .
x 2 − x1
The slope of a line parallel to the y-axis (i.e., a vertical line) is not defined.

4
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Remark. A line with a positive slope goes up (rises) from left to right, while a line with a negative
slope goes down (falls) from left to right.

Definition 4 (Equation of a Line). The equation of a line is that which is satisfied by those,
and only those, points on the that line.

The equation of a non-vertical line that passes through a certain point P0 (x0 , y0 ) and a certain
slope m follows the equation
y − y0 = m(x − x0 ) (point-slope)
If the point used in the point-slope form was (0, b), then the equation becomes

y = mx + b (slope-intercept)

where b is the y-intercept.

Definition 5 (Intercepts). The intercepts of a graph are the points where the graph intersects
the coordinate axes.
• The x-intercept of a (non-horizontal) line is the x-coordinate of the point where the line
intersects the x-axis.

• The y-intercept of a (non-vertical) line is the y-coordinate of the point where the line
intersects the y-axis.

General form of an equation of a line

The equation
ax + by + c = 0,
where a, b, and c are constants, and a and b are not both zero, is an equation of a line.

Example 6. Find the equation(s) of the lines satisfying the given conditions.
 
1 5
1. Slope is 0 and through the point ,
3 7

5
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

 
4
2. Slope is undefined and through the point , −8
9
3. Passing through the points (−3, 7) and (8, −9)

4. Slope is 4 and x-intercept is −8

Solution.

1. We will use the slope-intercept form. Since the slope is 0, we have m = 0 so our equation
looks like

y = 0x + b
y = b.

We have a point that satisfies the equation of this line, so we can plug in the coordinates
to find b.
5
= b.
7
Thus, the equation of the line is
5
y= or 7y = 5.
7
Note that since the slope is 0, the line is a horizontal line.

2. Since the slope is undefined, we havea vertical

 line which has an equation of the form x = a.
4
The line passes through the point , −8 so the point should satisfy the equation. The
9
equation of the line is
4
x= .
9
3. We compute the slope using the two points as
−9 − 7
m=
8 − (−3)
−16
= .
11

Using one of the points, we can find the equation of the line. We’ll use the point (−3, 7).
16

y−7=− x − (−3)
11
16
y − 7 = − (x + 3)
11
16 −48
y−7=− x+
11 11
16 29
y =− x+ or 11y = −16x + 29.
11 11

4. We have m = 4 and the point (−8, 0). Using the slope, the equation of the line should
look like
y = 4x + b.

6
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Solving for b, we use the given point (−8, 0).

0 = 4(−8) + b
0 = −32 + b
32 = b
b = 32.

The equation of the line is

y = 4x + 32.

Example 7. Find the equation of the line that passes through the points of intersection of
y + 2x − 1 = 0 and x2 + 4x + 2y − 6 = 0.
Solution. We start by looking for the points of intersection. The points of intersection will
satisfy both equations, this means that we can find the y-coordinate of the first equation and
substitute that in the second equation.

eqn 1: y = −2x + 1.

Plugging the above expression for y in the second equation we get

eqn 1: 2 x2 + 4x + 2(−2x + 1) − 6 = 0
x2 + 4x − 4x + 2 − 6 = 0
x2 − 4 = 0
(x + 2)(x − 2) = 0
x = −2 or x = 2.

We have two values of x and each of them will have a corresponding value for y.
If x = −2, If x = 2,

y = −2(−2) + 1 y = −2(2) + 1
y = 5. y = −3.
We have two points of intersection, (−2, 5) and (2, −3). We can get the slope and use one of the
points to get the equation of the line.
5 − (−3) 8
m= = = −2.
−2 − 2 −4
Using the point (−2, 5), we get the equation of the line as


y − 5 = −2 x − (−2)
y − 5 = −2(x + 2)
y − 5 = −2x − 4
y = −2x + 1.

Now, we consider relating a pair of lines according to their slope. In particular, we will discuss
parallel lines and perpendicular lines. If you recall, two distinct lines are parallel if they do not
intersect. Equivalently this means that the distance between them is constant. Two distinct
lines are perpendicular if they intersect at a right angle.

7
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Theorem 8 (Parallel lines). Let L1 and L2 be two distinct non-vertical lines with slopes m1
and m2 , respectively. Then L1 is parallel to L2 if and only if m1 = m2 . Symbolically, we write
L1 k L2 .

Theorem 9 (Perpendicular lines). Let L1 and L2 be two distinct non-vertical lines with slopes
m1 and m2 , respectively. Then L1 is perpendicular to L2 if and only if m1 m2 = −1. Symbolically,
we write L1 ⊥ L2 .

Example 10. Find the equation(s) of the lines satisfying the given conditions.

1. Passing through the point (1, 1) and parallel to the y-axis.

2. Passing through the point (1, 1) and perpendicular to the line 6x + 5y − 1 = 0.

 
1
3. Passing through the point − , 2 and perpendicular to the line containing (0, −2) and
2
(7, −5).

Solution.

1. Since the line is parallel to the y-axis, it’s a horizontal line with slope equal to 0. Hence,
the equation is of the form y = b. Plugging in the point (1, 1), we get

y = 1.

2. Since the line is perpendicular to 6x + 5y − 1 = 0, we need to find the negative reciprocal

of the slope of the given line. Finding the slope of this line,

6x + 5y − 1 = 0
5y = −6x + 1
6
y = − x + 1.
5
6
Thus, m1 = − . Since the line that we want is perpendicular to the given line, we take
5
the negative reciprocal,
1 5
m2 = − = .
m1 6
Using this slope and the point (1, 1), the equation of the line is
5
y − 1 = (x − 1)
6
5 5
y−1= x−
6 6
5 1
y = x+ or 6y = 5x + 1.
6 6

3. Let L1 be the line that we’re looking for and L2 be the line that contains (0, −2) and
(7, −5) where L1 ⊥ L2 . Let m1 and m2 be the slopes of L1 and L2 , respectively. Finding
the value of m2 , we have
−2 − (−5) 3
m2 = =− .
0−7 7

8
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Since L1 ⊥ L2 ,
1 7
m1 = − = .
m2 3
 
1
Since L1 contains − , 2 and has slope m1 , the equation of the line is given by
2
  
7 1
y−2= x− −
3 2
 
7 1
y−2= x+
3 2
7 7
y−2= x+
3 6
7 19
y = x+ or 6y = 14x + 19.
3 6

Exercises.

1. Find and sketch the equation of the line(s) that satisfy the given conditions. Write your
equations in general form (ax + by + c = 0) with integer coefficients and a ≥ 0.
1
(a) with slope and passing through the point (0, 3)
4
(b) with slope −2 and passing through the point (−1, −1)
(c) passing through (2, 4) and − 12 , 1

(d) perpendicular to and containing the midpoint of the segment joining (1, 2) and (−3, −4)
 
5
(e) passing through − , −2 and parallel to the line 2x − 4y + 1 = 0
4
 
5
(f) passing through , −5 and perpendicular to the line x + 4y + 10 = 0
2
 
2
(g) passing through 5, − and parallel to the line 3x + 2y = 0
5
(h) passing through (−2, 1) and perpendicular to the line 2x − 3y = 12

2. Find the area of the triangle enclosed by the line 4x = 7y + 28 and the coordinate axes.

9
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

3 Circles
An application of the distance formula leads us to a shape in geometry called a circle. A circle
is the set of all points in a plane that lie a fixed distance from a fixed point. The fixed distance
is called the radius and the fixed point is called the center.

Figure 2

Let (x, y) be any point on a circle centered at (h, k) with radius r. Using the distance formula
for the points (x, y) and (h, k), we get
p
(x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r.

We can get rid of the square root by squaring both sides.

Theorem 11 (Equation of a Circle). The equation of a circle of radius r with center (h, k) is

(x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2 .

If the circle is centered at the origin, the equation becomes

x2 + y 2 = r 2 .

Remark. If an equation can be written as

(x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = c

where c = 0, then the graph is a point. If c < 0, then there is no graph since no ordered pair
will satisfy the equation.

Recall that the points are represented by their coordinates. If a point is on the circle, then its
coordinates should satisfy the equation of the circle. The circle in Figure 3 is defined by the
equation
x2 + y 2 = r 2 .
The point A is on the circle, so its coordinates satisfy the equation. It’s easy to see that
x21 + y12 = r2 is true.

10
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Figure 3

Remark. The equation of the circle given in Theorem 11 is called the center-radius form or
standard form. Every equation of a circle can be written in general form as

Ax2 + Ay 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

where A, D, E, and F are constants, A 6= 0.

Example 12. Find the center and the radius of the circle.

1. x2 + y 2 = 7
 2
2
2. x + + y 2 = 21
3

3. (3x + 3)2 + (3y − 6)2 = 4

Solution. If we can write the equation of the circle in standard form, its center and radius
become obvious.

1. From the equation of the circle, the center is at the origin, (0, 0), and the radius is

r2 = 7
√
r = ± 7.

Since r > 0, r = 7.

2. The equation of the circle should look like (x − h)2 + (y − k)2 = r2 . We can write the given
equation as   2
2
x− − + (y − 0)2 = 21
3
√
 
2
to make it more obvious that the circle is centered at − , 0 with radius 21.
3
3. In the previous equations, they were already in standard form. For this equation, we need
to convert it first to standard form by making the coefficients of x and y equal to 1. Note

11
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

that we can factor out 3 to do this.

(3x + 3)2 + (3y − 6)2 =4

 2  2
3(x + 1) + 3(y − 2) =4
32 · (x + 1)2 + 32 · (y − 2)2=4
9(x + 1)2 + 9(y − 2)2 =4
4
(x + 1)2 + (y − 2)2 = .
9
The circle is centered at (−1, 2) with radius 2.

Example 13. Find the equation of the circle (in general form with integral coefficients) that
satisfies the given conditions.

1. center at (3, 2) and radius 4

1
2. center at (−2, −4) and radius
2
Solution.

1. Since the center is at (3, 2), h = 3 and k = 2. Since the radius is 4, then r = 4 and r2 = 16.
The equation of the circle is now

(x − 3)2 + (y − 2)2 = 16 (standard form)

x2 − 6x + 9 + y 2 − 4y + 4 = 16
x2 + y 2 − 6x − 4y + 9 + 4 − 16 = 0
x2 + y 2 − 6x − 4y − 3 = 0 (general form)

2.  2
2 2 1
(x + 2) + (y + 4) =
2
1
x2 + 4x + 4 + y 2 + 8y + 16 =
4
1
x2 + y 2 + 4x + 8y + 20 − = 0
4
79
x2 + y 2 + 4x + 8y + =0
4
4x2 + 4y 2 + 16x + 32y + 79 = 0.

Example 14. Find the equation of the circle satisfying the given conditions.
1. center at (3, −1) and passes through the point (−2, 2).

2. having a diameter whose endpoints are (−2, 4) and (4, 2).

Solution. To find the equation of a circle, the goal is to find the center and the radius.

12
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

1. Since the center is (3, −1), the equation fo the circle will look like

(x − 3)2 + (y + 1)2 = r2 .

Since the point (−2, 2) is on the circle, it should satisfy the equation above. By substituting
these coordinates for x and y, we can solve for r2 .

(−2 − 3)2 + (2 + 1)2 = r2

(−5)2 + 32 = r2
25 + 9 = r2
34 = r2
r2 = 34.

Note that we don’t really need the value of r. The equation of the circle is

(x − 3)2 + (y + 1)2 = 34.

2. A diameter of a circle is a line segment that connects 2 points on the circle and passes
through the center. More accurately, the center is the midpoint of the diameter.

Recall that the midpoint

  formula gives the midpoint of two points, (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ), as
x1 + x2 y1 + y2
, . Thus, the midpoint of (−2, 4) and (4, 2), which is also the center of
2 2
the circle, is
   
−2 + 4 4 + 2 2 6
, = ,
2 2 2 2
= (1, 3).

Now that we have the center, we can find the radius by getting the distance from the
center and (4, 2). But again, we actually just need r2 and not r. So we can just square the
distance to get rid of the square root.
p 2
2 2 2
r = (4 − 1) + (2 − 1)
= (4 − 1)2 + (2 − 1)2
= 32 + 12
=9+1
= 10.

Thus, the equation of the circle is given by

(x − 1)2 + (y − 3)2 = 10.

Example 15.
√
1. For what values of k is the distance between (2, k) and (4, −2) at least 2 10?

2. The circle x2 + y 2 + h2 = 2hx + 2y + 33 passes through the point (3, −2). Find h and the
radius of the circle.

13
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Solution.
√
1. We want the distance to be at least 2 10.
p √
(2 − 4)2 + (k + 2)2 ≥ 2 10
(2 − 4)2 + (k + 2)2 ≥ 40
4 + k 2 + 4k + 4 ≥ 40
k 2 + 4k − 32 ≥ 0
(k + 8)(k − 4) ≥ 0.
Constructing the table of signs to solve the inequality, we get

−8 4
k+8 − 0 + +
k−4 − − 0 +
+ 0 − 0 +

So the solution set for k is (−∞, −8] ∪ [4, ∞).

2. We can find h by plugging in the coordinates of the given point.
x2 + y 2 + h2 = 2hx + 2y + 33
32 + (−2)2 + h2 = 2h(3) + 2(−2) + 33
9 + 4 + h2 = 6h − 4 + 33
h2 − 6h − 16 = 0
(h − 8)(h + 2) = 0
h = 8 or h = −2

To get the radius, we write the equation of the circle in standard form. Since there are 2
values of h, we consider 2 different equations of circles.

Case 1: h = 8,
x2 + y 2 + 82 = 2(8)x + 2y + 33
x2 + y 2 + 64 = 16x + 2y + 33
x2 − 16x + y 2 − 2y = −31
x2 − 16x+64 + y 2 − 2y+1 = −31+64 + 1 completing the square
(x − 8)2 + (y − 1)2 = 34
√
The radius is 34.

Case 2: h = −2,
x2 + y 2 + (−2)2 = 2(−2)x + 2y + 33
x2 + y 2 + 4 = −4x + 2y + 33
x2 + 4x + y 2 + 2y = 29
x2 + 4x+4 + y 2 − 2y+1 = 29+4 + 1 completing the square
(x + 2)2 + (y − 1)2 = 34
√
The radius is 34.

14
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Definition 16 (Tangent Lines). A tangent line to a circle is a line that intersects the circle
at exactly one point, called the point of tangency.
Remark. The radius drawn to the point of tangency is perpendicular to the tangent line.

Example 17. Find the equation of the line that is tangent to the circle x2 + y 2 = 9 at the point
(0, −3).
Solution. Since the line is tangent to the circle at the point (0, −3), it is perpendicular to the
radius of the circle at (0, −3). Consider the radius of the circle with endpoints (0, 0) and (0, −3).
The line that we’re looking for is perpendicular to this radius, so it’s a horizontal line containing
the point (0, −3).

The equation of the line is

y = −3.

Other Useful Concepts:

1. A chord of a circle is a line segment joining any two points of the circle.
2. The perpendicular bisector of a chord is the line perpendicular to the chord and passing
through the midpoint of the chord. The perpendicular bisector passes through the center
of the circle.
3. The line through the midpoint of a chord and the center of the circle is perpendicular to
the chord.
4. Three noncollinear points determine exactly one circle.

(a) A chord (b) Perpendicular bisector of a (c) A circle defined by three

chord points

15
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Exercises

1. Determine the center and radius of the circle with the given equation.

2
(a) (x + 3)2 + y − 23 = 34 (e) x2 + y 2 − 10x − 4y + 16 = 0
(b) 4(x + 2)2 + 4y 2 + 4y = 5 (f) x2 + y 2 + 4y = 8x + 20
(c) x2 + y 2 + 8x + 12y + 47 = 0 (g) 18x2 + 18y 2 + 108x + 143 = 24y
(d) 16x2 + 16y 2 + 32y + 21 = 24x

2. Find the equation of the circle that satisfies the given conditions.

(a) center at (3, 2) and radius 4

1
(b) center at (−2, −4) and radius
2
(c) having a diameter whose endpoints are (2, 4) and (8, 0)
 
7
(d) having diameter whose endpoints are − , 4 and (4, 2)
2
(e) center at (2, 3) and passing through the point (4, 4)
   
3 1
(f) center at 3, − and passing through the point 6, −
2 4
3. Find the equation of the line(s) that satisfy the given conditions. Write your equations in
general form (ax + by + c = 0) with integer coefficients and a ≥ 0.

(a) all points on the line are equidistant from (3, 8) and (−1, 4).
(b) tangent to the circle x2 + y 2 + 6x − 2y − 15 = 0 at the point (1, −2)
(c) tangent to the circle x2 + y 2 + 6x = 8y + 15 at the point (−1, −2)

4. Find the equation of the line that contains a diameter of the circle x2 + y 2 + 2x + 4 = 8y
and is perpendicular to the line x + 3y + 2 = 0.

5. For what values of r is there a line that is tangent to the circle x2 + y 2 + 10 = 6x + 2y + r2

and passes through the point (−1, 4).

6. Find the equation of the circle (in general form with integral coefficients) such that it
passes through (−1, 0), (0, 2), and (0, −1).

16
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

4 Parabolas
In this section we introduce another graph, the parabola. Here, we will define the parabola as
the graph of an equation involving x and y where one variable is squared and the other is not.
Depending on which variable is squared and what the signs are, we can have 4 general graphs
as summarized below.

We will describe parabolas according to their vertex and the direction in which they open.

Equation of a Parabola
Standard Form
Consider a parabola with vertex at (h, k) and a > 0.

Parabola opens . . . Equation

upward (x − h)2 = a(y − k)
downward (x − h)2 = −a(y − k)
to the right (y − k)2 = a(x − h)
to the left (y − k)2 = −a(x − h)

General Form

Axis Equation
Vertical Ax2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0, where E 6= 0
Horizontal Cy 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0, where D 6= 0

Graphing parabolas is not as simple as circles, where we just need the center and the radius, or
lines, where we just connect two points. To graph a parabola, we familiarize ourselves with the
shape and we’ll use the vertex along with a pair of plotted points going in opposite directions
from the vertex to help us sketch the graph.

Example 18. Find the coordinates of the vertex and sketch the graph of the parabola defined by

x2 + 2x − y + 3 = 0.

Solution. Since the squared variable is x, we know that the parabola will open vertically. To
find the vertex and the exact direction, we start by writing the equation in standard form.

x2 + 2x − y + 3 = 0
x2 + 2x = y − 3
x2 + 2x+1 = y − 3+1
(x + 1)2 = y − 2

The vertex is at (−1, 2) and the parabola opens upward. We plot points to the left and to the
right of the graph as guides. If x = 0, y = 3 and if x = −2, y = 3. The graph looks like

17
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

√
Graph of y = x
Consider a parabola defined by the equation y 2 = x. This parabola has a vertex at (0, 0) and
opens to the right. The graph of this equation looks like

Let’s solve for y in terms of x. We get

y2 = x
p √
y2 = x
√
|y| = x.
√
This means that |y| = x is an equivalent equation
√ to y 2 = x and therefore have the same
graph. More importantly, this means that y = x is only equivalent to y 2 = x if y ≥ 0.
√
So, the graph of y = x will be the part of the graph defined by y 2 = x where y ≥ 0, that is,
the top half of this parabola described by y 2 = x.

18
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Exercises

1. Find the coordinates of the vertex, the direction the parabola opens, and sketch the graph
of the parabola defined by

(a) y 2 = 4x (d) x2 − 4x = 4y + 16
(b) 8x = (y − 7)2 (e) y 2 − 6y − x + 10 = 0
(c) 12y = −(x + 3)2 − 12 (f) y 2 + 8y + 6x + 22 = 0

2. Find the equation of the parabola having the given properties

(a) vertex at (−3, 2), opens to the right, passes through (5, −2)
(b) vertex at (1, 1), opens downward, passes through (−4, −2)
(c) vertex at (−1, −1), opens to the left, passes through (−3, 6)

3. Find the equation and sketch the graph of the half parabola having the given properties.

(a) top half of a parabola opening right with vertex at (1, 3), passing through (2, 7)
(b) right half of a parabola opening up with vertex at (−1, 3), passing through (4, 4)

19
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

5 Rigid Transformations
5.1 Reflections and Symmetry
If you can place an infinitely long, straight mirror along the Cartesian plane in such a way that
its reflection is actually the same as the original graph, we say that the graph is symmetric.
For now, we will focus on three basic symmetries where the line of symmetry contains the
origin.
A graph is symmetric with respect to a line L if for each point P on the graph, there is a
corresponding point Q on the graph such that L is the perpendicular bisector of the segment P Q.

Symmetry with Respect to an Axis

1. The graph of an equation is symmetric with respect to the y-axis if the replacement
of x with −x results in an equivalent equation.

2. The graph of an equation is symmetric with respect to the x-axis if the replacement
of y with −y results in an equivalent equation.

To illustrate symmetry with respect to the y-axis, imagine that there is a mirror placed along
the y-axis. If an unknown equation has a graph that is symmetric with respect to the y-
axis contains the points (1, 1), (2, 4), (3, 9), and (4, 16), then it should also contain the points
(−1, 1), (−2, 4), (−3, 9), and (−4, 16) since replacing x with −x should have the same value for
y. See Figure 5.

Figure 5

For symmetry with respect to the x-axis, we also demonstrate that with an equation whose
graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis and contains the points (1, 1), (4, 2), (9, 3), and
(16, 4). We can see this in Figure 6.

20
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Figure 6

Example 19. Test for symmetry with respect to the x-axis and the y-axis.

1. y = x2

2. x = y 2 + 1

3. x2 + y 2 = 4

Solution.

1. Checking symmetry with respect to the y-axis:

Replacing x with −x gives

y = (−x)2
y = x2

which is thee same with the given equation. Thus, the graph of the equation y = x2 is
symmetric with respect to (w.r.t.) the y-axis.
Checking symmetry with respect to the x-axis:
Replacing y with −y gives

−y = x2
y = −x2 .

Since this is not an equivalent equation, x2 6= −x2 , then the graph of the equation is not
symmetric w.r.t. the x-axis.

2. y-axis: Replace x with −x.

−x = y 2 + 1
x = −y 2 + 1 6= y 2 + 1

Not symmetric w.r.t. the y-axis.

21
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

x-axis: Replace y with −y.

x = (−y)2 + 1
x = y2 + 1

Symmetric w.r.t the x-axis.

3. y-axis: Replace x with −x.

(−x)2 + y 2 = 4
x2 + y 2 = 4

Symmetric w.r.t the y-axis.

x-axis: Replace y with −y.

−x2 + (−y)2 = 4
x2 + y 2 = 4

Symmetric w.r.t the x-axis.

Symmetry with Respect to the Origin

The graph of an equation is symmetric with respect to the origin if the replacement of
both x with −x and y with −y results in an equivalent equation.

If a graph that is symmetric with respect to the origin contains the point (1, 1) then it should
also contain (−1, 1). The line of symmetry is y = x. See Figure 7.

Figure 7

Example 20. Are the graphs of the following equations symmetric with respect to the origin?

22
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

1. x2 + y 2 = 4

2. y = x3
Solution.

1. Replacing x with −x and y with −y,

(−x)2 + (−y)2 = 4
x2 + y 2 = 4

which is equivalent to the given equation. The graph is symmetric with respect to the
origin. In fact, any circle centered at the origin will be symmetric w.r.t. any line passing
through the origin.

2. Replace x with −x and y with −y,

−y = (−x)3
−y = −x3
y = x3

which is equivalent to the given equation. The graph is symmetric with respect to the
origin.

Reflecting Graphs The reflecting a graphs is analogous to the tests for symmetry but you just
end after doing the substitutions.
1. The graph of an equation is reflected about the y-axis by replacing x with −x.

2. The graph of an equation is reflected about the x-axis by replacing y with −y.

Example 21. In Example 19, we write the original equation along with their reflected graphs
along the indicated axis.

Original Equation y-axis x-axis origin

2 2
y=x y = (−x) −y = x2 −y = (−x)2
x = y2 + 1 −x = y 2 + 1 x = (−y)2 + 1 −x = (−y)2 + 1
x2 + y 2 = 4 (−x)2 + y 2 = 4 x2 + (−y)2 = 4 (−x)2 + (−y)2 = 4

5.2 Translations
Another transformation that can by applied is translation. This means that the graph is shifted
vertically or horizontally while preserving the shape and orientation of the graph.

Suppose that c > 0.

1. Vertical Translation. In general, the graph of y = E(x) + c where E(x) is an expression
involving x, is the same graph as the graph of y = E(x) but translated c units up while
for y = E(x) − c is translated c units down.

2. Horizontal Translation. If all the x’s in the equation y = E(x) is replaced by x − c,

the graph of the equation y = E(x − c) is the same as the graph of y = E(x) but shifted
c units to the right while for y = E(x + c) it is shifted c units to the left.

23
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

For an equation to be translated 1-unit up, all y coordinates will be replaced by y + 1 and to be
translated 1-unit to the right, all x coordinates will be replaced by x + 1.

To translate a graph by c units , replace with .

Direction Replace With

up y y−c
down y y+c
right x x−c
left x x+c

Example 22. Describe the graph of the following equations as it relates to the graph of y = x2
1. y = (x − 8)2

2. y = x2 + 8

3. y = (x + 8)2

4. y = (x − 8)2 + 4
Solution.

1. The graph is shifted 8 units to the right.

2. The graph is shifted 8 units up.

3. The graph is shifted 8 units to the left.

4. The graph is shifted 8 units to the right and 4 units up.

Example 23. Determine the equation of the final graph obtained after performing the sequence
of transformations to the graph of the given equation, .
√
1. y = x; shift right 1 unit, reflect about the x-axis

2. y = x3 − 4x; shift right 2 units, reflect about the y-xis

3. y = −(x + 3)2 + 1; shift up 2 units, reflect about the x-axis, reflect about the y-axis
Solution.

1. Shifting 1 unit to the right yields the equation

√
y = x−1.

Reflecting about the x-axis gives us

√
−y = x − 1.

2. Shift right 2 units

y = (x+2)2 − 4(x+2)
Reflecting about the y-axis
−y = (x + 2)3 − 4(x + 2)

24
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

3. Shift up 2 units
y−2 = −(x + 3)2 + 1
Reflect about the x-axis
−y − 2 = −(x + 3)2 + 1
Reflect about the y-axis

2
−y − 2 = − −(−x) + 3 + 1
−y − 2 = −(x + 3)2 + 1

Example 24. The solid-line graph is a translation or reflection of the dashed-line graph. Given
the equation of the dashed-line graph, determine the equation of the solid-line graph.

1. 2.

Solution.

1. There can be more than one sequence of transformations to arrive at the dashed-line graph.
For convenience, we will start with reflections.
The dashed-line graph need to be reflected about the x-axis to get the same shape as the
solid-lined graph.
For the translations, we can choose a point to focus on for the transformation. For con-
venience, let’s focus on the point (0, 0) on the reflected dashed-line graph. This point is
translated 2 units to the left then 1 unit down.
Applying these transformations:

y = |x| original equation

−y = |x| reflect about the x-axis
−y = |x + 2| shift 2 units left
−(y + 1) = |x + 2| shift 1 unit down

2. Similar to the previous problem, we do the reflections first. We reflect the dashed-line
graph about the y-axis. Next we can choose focus on the point (−1, 0) on the reflected
dashed-line graph which needs to be shifted 1 unit left.
Applying these transformations:
1 3
y = (x − 4)4 + (x − 4)3 original equation
2 2
1 3
y = (−x − 4)4 + (−x − 4)3 reflect about the y-axis
2 2
1
4 3
3
y = −(x + 1) − 4 + −(x + 1) − 4 shift 1 unit left
2 2

25
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Simplifying the last equation

1
4 3
3
y= −(x − 1) − 4 + −(x − 1) − 4
2 2
1 3
= (−x − 1 − 4)4 + (−x − 1 − 4)3
2 2
1 3
= (−x − 5)4 + (−x − 5)3
2 2
1 3
y = (x + 5)4 − (x + 5)3 .
2 2

Exercises.

1. After performing the sequence of transformations to the graph of the given equation,
determine the equation of the final graph obtained.

(a) y = 2x2 ; shift left 2 units, shift up 3 units

(b) 2x2 + y 2 = 4; shift down 3 units, shift right 2 units, reflect about the x-axis.
(x − 2)2 (y + 1)2
(c) − = 1; shift down 1 unit, shift left 3 units.
4 9
2. Use the given graph of the equation y = f (x) to graph each of the following equations:

(a) y = f (x) + 2 (c) y = |f (x)| (e) y = −f (x + 2) − 1

(b) y = f (−x) (d) y = f |x|
√
3. Sketch the graph of the following equations given the graph of y = |x| and y = x.

26
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

√ √
(a) y = |x − 3| (d) y = x − 4 + 4 (g) y = −3 − x+2
(b) y = |x + 3| + 2 (e) y = −(x − 2)2
√
(c) y = x + 4 (f) y − 3 = −|x + 2|

4. Identify and sketch the graph of the give equation.

(a) x2 + y 2 − 4x + 6y + 9 = 0 (e) 4y 2 − x − 8y + 2 = 0
√ √
(b) y = 9 − x2 (f) x = 4y + 12
√
(c) y 2 = 4x (g) y = 4x − 4 − 3
√
(d) x2 = −8y (h) y = − −x2 + 1

27
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

Answers to Selected Exercises

Lines

1. (a) x − 4y + 12 = 0 (d) 2x + 3y + 5 = 0 (g) 15x + 10y − 71 = 0

(b) 2x + y + 3 = 0 (e) 4x − 8y − 11 = 0 (h) 3x + 2y + 4 = 0
(c) 6x − 5y + 8 = 0 (f) 4x − y − 15 = 0

2. 14 sq. units

Circles
√
1. (a) Center: −3, 32 , radius: 2 3 3


(e) Center: (5, 2), radius: 13
√ √
(b) Center: −2, − 21 , radius: 26 (f) Center: (4, −2), radius: 2 10


√ √
(g) Center: −3, 32 , radius: 26


(c) Center: (−4, −6), radius: 5
(d) Center: 34 , −1 , radius: 21

2. (a) (x − 3)2 + (y − 2)2 = 16 (d) (4x − 1)2 + (4y − 12)2 = 241

1
(b) (x + 2)2 + (y + 4)2 = 4
(e) (x − 2)2 + (y − 3)2 = 5
(c) (x − 5)2 + (y − 2)2 = 13 (f) (4x − 12)2 + (4y + 6)2 = 169

3. (a) x + y − 7 = 0 (c) x − 3y − 5 = 0
(b) 4x − 3y − 10 = 0

4. 3x − y + 7 = 0

5. −5 ≤ r ≤ 5

6. 4x2 + 4y 2 − 4x − 4y − 8 = 0

Parabolas

1. (a) Vertex: (0, 0), opens right (d) Vertex: (2, −5), opens up
(b) Vertex: (0, 7), opens right (e) Vertex: (1, 3), opens right
(c) Vertex: (−3, −1), opens down (f) Vertex: (−1, −4), opens left

2. (a) (y − 2)2 = 2(x + 3) (c) (y + 1)2 = − 49

2
(x + 1)
(b) (x − 1)2 = −25
3
(y − 1)
p p
3. (a) (y − 3) = 16(x − 1) (b) (x + 1) = 25(y − 3)

Rigid Transformations

1. (a) y − 3 = 2(x − 2)2 (x + 1)2 (y + 2)2

(c) − =1
(b) 2(x − 2)2 + (y + 3)2 = 4 4 9

4. (a) Circle centered at (2, −3) with radius 2 (c) Parabola opening right with vertex at
(b) Bottom half of a circle centered at (0, 0) (0, 0)
with radius 3 (d) Parabola opening down with vertex at

28
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

(0, 0) (g) Top half of a parabola opening right

(e) Parabola opening right with vertex at with vertex at (1, −3)
(−2, 1)
(f) Right half of a parabola opening up (h) Bottom half a circle centered at (0, 0)
with vertex at (0, −3) with radius 1

29
Math Prep 2022 Track B Module 1: Equations and Graphs

References
[1] De Las Peñas, Francisco, Marcelo. Precalculus. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2010.

[2] Quimpo, N. A Course in Freshman Algebra. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2012.

30