FUNCTIONS AND LINES

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Translating the graph of a…
absolute value function:
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QUESTION

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Translate each graph as specified below.
(a) The graph of y = x is shown.
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Translate it to get the graph of y = x − 5.
(b) The graph of y = x is shown. Translate it to get the graph of y = x − 1 .

Part (a) 8
y
0 Part (b) 8
y

6 6

4 4

2 2

x x

-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8

-2 -2

-4 -4

-6 -6

-8 -8

EXPLANATION

Background:
When a graph is translated, each of its points is shifted the same distance in the
same direction.

We are given the graph of the absolute value function y = x .

More
When translating this graph, we can use the following. (Assume c > 0.)

Horizontal translations:
To graph y = x − c , we shift the graph of y = x to the right c units.
To graph y = x + c , we shift the graph of y = x to the left c units.

Vertical translations:
To graph y = x + c, we shift the graph of y = x upward c units.
To graph y = x − c, we shift the graph of y = x downward c units.

The current problem:

(a) To graph y = x − 5, we shift the graph of y = x downward 5 units.
y
8

-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8

-2

-4

5 units
-6 down

-8

(b) To graph y = x − 1 , we shift the graph of y = x to the right 1 unit.

y
8

-8 -6 -4 -2 1 2unit 4right6 8

-2

-4

-6

-8

ANSWER

y y
Part (a) 8 Part (b) 8

6 6

4 4

2 2

x x

-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8

-2 -2

-4 -4

-6 -6

-8 -8

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