Transformations of the parent function of

f(x)
In mathematics, a transformation of a function is a process that alters the shape or appearance of the
graph of the function. There are several types of transformations that can be applied to a function,
including translations, reflections, dilations, and compressions.

1. Translations: A translation is a transformation that shifts the graph of a function horizontally or

vertically. To translate a function f(x) horizontally, we can add a constant to the input x: f(x+c).
This shifts the graph of the function c units to the right if c is positive, and c units to the left if c is
negative. To translate a function f(x) vertically, we can add a constant to the output y: f(x)+c.
This shifts the graph of the function c units up if c is positive, and c units down if c is negative.

2. Reflections: A reflection is a transformation that flips the graph of a function over a line of
symmetry. To reflect a function f(x) over the x-axis, we can take the negative of the output y: -
f(x). This flips the graph of the function over the x-axis. To reflect a function f(x) over the y-axis,
we can take the negative of the input x: f(-x). This flips the graph of the function over the y-axis.

3. Dilations: A dilation is a transformation that stretches or shrinks the graph of a function. To

dilate a function f(x) by a factor of k, we can multiply the input x by k: f(kx). This stretches the
graph of the function horizontally by a factor of k if k is greater than 1, and shrinks it horizontally
by a factor of k if k is between 0 and 1.

4. Compressions: A compression is a transformation that compresses the graph of a function

horizontally. To compress a function f(x) by a factor of k, we can divide the input x by k: f(x/k).
This compresses the graph of the function horizontally by a factor of k.

It's important to note that these transformations can be combined and applied in any order to produce
a wide variety of different graphs. For example, we can translate a function horizontally and then reflect
it over the y-axis, or we can reflect a function over the y-axis and then dilate it horizontally.