Topic 3 Polynomials and other functions

3.5 Sketching circles and transformations

The graph of the circle with centre (0, 0) and radius 𝑟 has the following features:

a. It has two endpoints of the horizontal diameter at (−𝑟, 0) and (𝑟, 0).
b. It has two endpoints of the vertical diameter at (0, −𝑟) and (0, 𝑟).
c. The domain is −𝑟 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑟.
d. The range is −𝑟 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑟.

Generally, the graph of (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑟 2 (circle with centre (𝑎, 𝑏) and radius 𝑟 ) has the
features:

a. It has two endpoints of the horizontal diameter at (𝑎 − 𝑟, 𝑏) and (𝑎 + 𝑟, 𝑏).

b. It has two endpoints of the vertical diameter at (𝑎, 𝑏 − 𝑟) and (𝑎, 𝑏 + 𝑟).
c. The domain is 𝑎 − 𝑟 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 + 𝑟.
d. The range is 𝑏 − 𝑟 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑏 + 𝑟.

1
Sketch the graph of (𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 + 3)2 = 16, showing its centre, radius, domain and range.

Sketch the graph of 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 = 25, showing its centre, radius, domain and range.

2
Sketch the graph of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 6 = 0, showing its centre, radius, domain and range.

4 4
Form the equation of the circle given endpoints of a diameter are (− 3 , 2) and (3 , 2).

3
Given the basic graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) we may sketch the graph of

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑓(𝑏𝑥 − 𝑝) + 𝑞
by applying combinations of transformations to the basic graph:

1. 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑝)
a. For 𝑝 > 0, it is a horizontal translation to the right by 𝑝 units.
b. For 𝑝 < 0, it is a horizontal translation to the left by −𝑝 units.

2. 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑏𝑥)
1
a. For 𝑏 > 0, it is a horizontal dilation by a scale factor of 𝑏.
1
b. For 𝑏 < 0, it is a horizontal dilation by a scale factor of − 𝑏 with a reflection in the 𝑦-axis.

3. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑓(𝑥)
a. For 𝑎 > 0, it is a vertical dilation by a scale factor of 𝑎.
b. For 𝑎 < 0, it is a vertical dilation by a scale factor of −𝑎 with a reflection in the 𝑥-axis.

4. 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑞
a. For 𝑞 > 0, it is a vertical translation upwards by 𝑞 units.
b. For 𝑞 < 0, it is a vertical translation downwards by −𝑞 units.

The diagrams show the graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑦 = 𝑓(2𝑥), 𝑦 = 𝑓(−𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + 1).

4
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is shown. On separate
diagrams sketch the graphs of the following.

a. 𝑦 = −𝑓(𝑥)

b. 𝑦 = 2𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥
c. 𝑦 = 𝑓 (2)

d. 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + 2

5
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) is given.

a. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = −𝑔(2𝑥).

b. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(2 − 𝑥).

c. For what values of 𝑐 will all the 𝑥-intercepts of the

graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥 + 𝑐) be negative?

d. Give a possible equation for the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥)

and hence find an expression for 𝑔(2𝑥).