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3-5 Study Guide and Intervention

Transformations of Linear Functions

Translations of Linear Functions A transformation of a linear function moves the graph on the coordinate plane to
create a new linear function. One type of transformation is a translation. A translation moves a graph up, down, left,
right, or in two directions.

The graph of the function g(x) = x + k is the graph of f(x) = x translated vertically. If k > 0, the graph of f(x) is translated k
units up. If k < 0, the graph of f(x) is translated |k| units down.

The graph of the function g(x) = (x – h) is the graph of f(x) = x translated horizontally. If h > 0, the graph of f(x) is
translated h units right. If h < 0, the graph of f(x) is translated |h| units left.

Example: Describe the translation in each function as it relates to the graph of f(x) = x.

a. g(x) = x + 3 b. p(x) = (x – 2)
The graph of g(x) = x + 3 is a translation The graph of p(x) = (x – 2) is a translation
of the graph of f(x) = x 3 units up. of the graph of f(x) = x 2 units right.

Exercises

Describe the translation in each function as it relates to the graph of f(x) = x.

1. g(x) = x – 3 2. g(x) = (x + 5)
translated down
translated left

3. g(x) = x + 2 4. g(x) = x – 3.5

translated up translated down

5. g(x) = (x – 2) 6. g(x) = (x + 4) + 3

translated right translated left

Chapter 3 30 Glencoe Algebra 1

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3-5 Study Guide and Intervention (continued)

Transformations of Linear Function
Dilations and Reflections of Linear Functions A dilation stretches or compresses the graph of a function. A reflection
flips the graph of a function across a line.

The graph of g(x) = a  f(x) is the graph of f(x) = x dilated vertically. If |a| > 1, the graph of f(x) is stretched vertically. If
0 < |a| < 1, the graph of f(x) is compressed vertically. If a < 0, the graph of f(x) is also reflected across the x-axis.

The graph of g(x) = f(a  x) is the graph of f(x) = x dilated horizontally. If |a| > 1, the graph of f(x) is compressed
horizontally. If 0 < |a| < 1, the graph of f(x) is stretched horizontally. If a < 0, the graph of f(x) is also reflected across the
y-axis.

Example: Describe the transformations in each function as it relates to the graph of f(x) = x.
𝟏
a. g(x) = (2x) b. p(x) = − x
𝟑
The graph of g(x) = (2x) is a horizontal dilation Because a is negative in p(x), the graph of
of f(x) = x because the function is multiplied by f(x) = x is reflected across the x-axis. Because
a positive constant a before the function is 0 < |a| < 1, the graph of f(x) = x is also
evaluated. Because a > 1, the graph of f(x) = x compressed vertically.
is compressed horizontally.

Exercises
Describe the transformations in each function as it relates to the graph of f(x) = x.

1. g(x) = (1.5x) 2. g(x) = 4x

vertical stretch vertical stretch

1
3. g(x) = − x 4. g(x) = (−2x)
5

vertical stretch
negative slope

3
5. g(x) = x 6. g(x) = (−0.5x)
7

less steep negative slope

Chapter 3 31 Glencoe Algebra 1