FUNCTION TRANSFORMATIONS

(source: https://www.cuemath.com/calculus/transformation-of-functions/ )
Transformation of functions means that the curve representing the graph either "moves to
left/right/up/down" or "it expands or compresses" or "it reflects".
For example, the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3 is obtained by just moving the graph of
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 by 3 units up.
FUNCTION TRANSFORMATIONS are very helpful in graphing the functions just by
moving/expanding/compressing/reflecting the curve without actually needing to graph it from scratch.
We will see what are the rules of function transformations and we will see how to do transformations
of different types of functions along with examples.
WHAT ARE FUNCTION TRANSFORMATIONS?
A function transformation either "moves" or "resizes" or "reflects" the graph of the parent function.
There are mainly three types of function transformations:
 Translation
 Dilation
 Reflection
Among these transformations, only dilation changes the size of the original shape but the other two
transformations change the position of the shape but not the size of the shape.
We can see what each of these transformations of functions mean in the table below.

Changes in
Transformation Function
Position/Size

Translation Slides or moves the curve. Change in position

Dilation Stretches or shrinks the curve. Change in the size

Flips the curve and produces the Change in position

Reflection
mirror image.

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 In math words, the transformation of a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) typically looks like 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑓(𝑏(𝑥 +
𝑐)) + 𝑑.
Here, a, b, c, and d are any real numbers and they represent transformations.
NOTE that all outside numbers (that are outside the brackets) represent vertical
transformations and all inside numbers represent horizontal transformations.
ALSO, NOTE that addition/subtraction indicates translation and multiplication/division
represents dilation.
Any minus sign multiplies means that it is a reflection.
Here, 'a' represents the vertical dilation
'b' represents the horizontal dilation
'c' represents the horizontal translation
'd' represents the vertical translation
TRANSLATION OF FUNCTIONS
A translation occurs when every point on a graph (representing a function) moves by the same
amount in the same direction.
There are two types of translations of functions.
 Horizontal translations
 Vertical translations
Horizontal Translation of Functions:
In this translation, the function moves to the left side or right side.
This changes a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) into the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 ± 𝑘), where 'k' represents the horizontal
translation.
Here,
if 𝒌 > 𝟎, then the function moves to the left side by 'k' units.
if 𝑘 < 0, then the function moves to the right by 'k' units.

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Here, the original function y = x2 (y = f(x)) is moved to 3 units right to give the transformed function y =
(x - 3)2 (y = f(x - 3)).
Vertical Translation of Functions:
In this translation, the function moves to either up or down. This changes a function y = f(x) into the
form f(x) ± k, where 'k' represents the vertical translation. Here,
if k > 0, then the function moves up by 'k' units.
if k < 0, then the function moves down by 'k' units.

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Here, the original function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 (𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)) is moved to 2 units up to give the transformed function
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2 (𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + 2).
DILATION OF FUNCTIONS
A dilation is a stretch or a compression.
If a graph undergoes dilation parallel to the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠, all the 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 are increased by the
same scale factor.
Similarly, if it is dilated parallel to the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠, all the y-values are increased by the same scale
factor.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DILATIONS.
 Horizontal Dilation
 Vertical Dilation
HORIZONTAL DILATION
The horizontal dilation (also known as horizontal scaling) of a function either stretches/shrinks the
curve horizontally.

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It changes a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) into the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑘𝑥), with a scale factor ′1/𝑘′, parallel to the
𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
Here,
If 𝑘 > 1, then the graph shrinks.
If 0 < 𝑘 < 1, then the graph stretches.
In this dilation, there will be changes only in the 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 but there won't be any
changes in the 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠.
1
Every old 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 is multiplied by 𝑘 to find the new 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒.

In the following graph, the original function 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 is stretched horizontally by a scale factor of
𝑥 3
3 to give the transformed function graph 𝑦 = ( 3)

For example, the point (1, 1) of the original graph is transformed to (3, 1) of the new graph. (
𝑥 3
𝑦 = ( 3) , 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑦 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 1

𝑥 3
𝑃(1; 1) → 1 = ( 3)

𝑥3
∴1= 3
3
𝑥3 = 1
∴ 𝑥 3 = 33 ∴ 𝑥 = 3 → 𝑃′(3; 1)

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VERTICAL DILATION
The vertical dilation (also known as vertical scaling) of a function either stretches/shrinks the curve
vertically.
It changes a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) into the form 𝑦 = 𝑘 𝑓(𝑥), with a scale factor ′𝑘′, parallel to the
𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠. Here,
 If 𝑘 > 1, then the graph stretches.
 If 0 < 𝑘 < 1, then the graph shrinks.
In this dilation, there will be changes only in the y-coordinates but there won't be any changes in
the x-coordinates. Every old y-coordinate is multiplied by 𝒌 to find the new 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒.
In the following graph, the original function 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 is stretched vertically by a scale factor of 3 to
give the transformed function graph 𝑦 = 3𝑥 3 . For example, the point (1, 1) (on the original graph)
corresponds to (1, 3) on the new graph.

REFLECTIONS OF FUNCTIONS

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A reflection of a function is just the image of the curve with respect to either 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔 or 𝒚 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔.
This occurs whenever we see the multiplication of a minus sign happening somewhere in the function.
Here,
𝑦 = − 𝑓(𝑥) is the reflection of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
𝑦 = 𝑓(−𝑥) is the reflection of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) with resepct to the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
Observe the graph below where the original graph 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 is reflected with respect to each of
the 𝑥 and 𝑦 𝑎𝑥𝑒𝑠.

NOTE :
That when the function is reflected with respect to the 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔, only the signs of the 𝑦 −
𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 are changed and there is no change in 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠.
with respect to the 𝒚 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔, only the signs of the 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 are changed and there is no
change in 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠.

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 FUNCTION TRANSFORMATION RULES
The types of transformations of functions and how do addition/subtraction/multiplication/division of a
number and the multiplication of a minus sign would reflect a graph.
ALL FUNCTION TRANSFORMATION RULES TOGETHER.

Function
Rule Result
Transformation

Horizontal: 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + Moves left if 𝑘 > 0

𝑘) Moves right if 𝑘 < 0
Translation
Vertical: 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + Moves up if 𝑘 > 0
𝑘 Moves down if 𝑘 < 0

Stretches when 0 < 𝑘 < 1

Horizontal: 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑘𝑥)
Shrinks when 𝑘 > 1
Dilation
Stretches when 𝑘 > 1
Vertical: 𝑦 = 𝑘 𝑓(𝑥)
Shrinks when 0 < 𝑘 < 1

About
Reflects the graph where
𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠:
𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 acts as a mirror.
𝑦 = − 𝑓(𝑥)
Reflection
About
Reflects the graph where
𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠:
𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 acts as a mirror.
𝑦 = 𝑓(−𝑥)

Let us see some important tips to remember these rules.

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TIPS AND TRICKS TO REMEMBER FUNCTION TRANSFORMATIONS:
 If some operation is inside the bracket, note that it is related to "horizontal" and in this case,
things would happen reverse than what we think.
For example, we may think 𝑓(𝑥 + 2) transforms 𝑓(𝑥) to the right because it is + but it actually
moves left by 2 units.
 In the same way, we may think 𝑓(3𝑥) stretches 𝑓(𝑥) but no, it shrinks 𝑓(𝑥) by a scale factor of
1
.
3

 If some operation is outside the bracket, note that it is related to "vertical" and in this case,
things would happen straight (not reverse).
For example, 𝑓(𝑥) + 2 moves 𝑓(𝑥) "up" it is a " + " symbol there.
In the same way, 3 𝑓(𝑥) stretches 𝑓(𝑥) by a scale factor of 3 as 3 > 1.
 If some number is being added/subtracted, then its related to "translation".
For example, 𝑓(𝑥 + 2) is a horizontal translation and 𝑓(𝑥) + 2 is a vertical translation.
 If some number is being multiplied/divided, then 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 "𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧".
For example, 𝑓(2𝑥) is a horizontal dilation and 2 𝑓(𝑥) is a vertical dilation.
 Just in case of reflection, it is just the opposite of the first and second tricks here.
 If the minus sign is inside the bracket, it is with respect to the y-axis and if the minus sign is
outside the bracket, it is with respect to the x-axis.
DESCRIBING FUNCTION TRANSFORMATIONS

 We can use the above rules to describe any function transformation.

For example, if the question is what is the effect of transformation 𝑔(𝑥) = − 3𝑓(𝑥 + 5) + 2 on
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), then first observe the sequence of operations that had to be applied on 𝑓(𝑥) to get 𝑔(𝑥)
and then use the above rules to define the transformations.
Here, to get 𝑔(𝑥) from 𝑓 (𝑥 ) first 𝑓(𝑥) changes into 𝑓(𝑥 + 5). i.e., horizontal translation by 5
units to the left.
Then it changes into 𝟑 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝟓). i.e., vertical dilation by a scale factor of 3.
Then it changes into −𝟑 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝟓). i.e., reflection about the x-axis.
Finally, it changes into −𝟑 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝟓) + 𝟐. i.e., vertical translation by 2 units up.

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Thus, 𝑔(𝑥) is obtained from 𝑓(𝑥) by horizontal translation by 5 units to the left, vertical dilation by a
scale factor of 3, reflection about the 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔, and vertical translation by 2 units up. We can describe
the transformations of functions by using the above tricks also. Give it a try now.
GRAPHING TRANSFORMATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
Identifying the transformation by looking at the original and transformed graphs is easy because just by
looking at the graph, we can say that the graph moves up by 2 units or left by 3 units, etc. But when a
graph is given, graphing the function transformation is sometimes difficult. The following steps
make graphing transformations so easier.
Here, we are transforming the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑓(𝑏 (𝑥 + 𝑐)) + 𝑑.
Step 1: Note down some coordinates on the original curve that define its shape. i.e., we now know the
old 𝒙 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔.
Step 2: To find the new x-coordinate of each point just set "𝒃 (𝒙 + 𝒄) = 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒙 − 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆" and
solve this for 𝑥.
Step 3: To find the new 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 of each point, just apply all outside operations (of brackets) on
the 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒚 − 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆. i.e., find 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑑 to find each new 𝒚 − 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 where ′𝑦′ is
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒚 − 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆.
We can understand these steps better by using the example below.
EXAMPLE:
𝑥
The following graph represents 𝑓(𝑥). Graph the function transformation 𝑦 = 2 𝑓 ( ) + 3.
2

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SOLUTION:
We can clearly see that (−3, 2), (−1, 2), (2, −1) and (6, 1) are defining the shape of the graph. Let us
find the new 𝑥 and 𝑦 coordinates of each of these points.

Old Points New Points

𝑥
New 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒: 2 = −3 ⇒ x = -6

(−3, 2) New y-coordinate: 2(2) + 3 = 7

New point: (−6, 7)

𝑥
New 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒: 2 = −1 ⇒ 𝑥 = −2

(−1, 2) New y-coordinate: 2(2) + 3 = 7

New point: (−2, 7)

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Old Points New Points

𝑥
New 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒: =2 ⇒ 𝑥 = 4
2

(2, −1) New 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒: 2(−1) + 3 = 1

New point: (4, 1)

𝑥
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒: = 6 ⇒ 𝑥 = 12
2

(6, 1) 𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒: 2(1) + 3 = 5

𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡: (12, 5)

Now, we will plot all old points and new points on the coordinate plane and observe the
transformations.

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FUNCTION TRANSFORMATIONS
EXAMPLES
Example 1:
Describe the transformations of quadratic function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 by comparing it to its
parent function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 .
SOLUTION:
To identify the transformation of quadratic functions, we have to convert it into vertex form. Then we
can write 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 can be written as 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2)2 + 1.
[Method: 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 + 1 = (𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4) + 1 = (𝑥 + 2)2 + 1]

 Now we will compare the original function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 with 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2)2 + 1
and apply the function transformation rules.

 𝑥 converted to 𝑥 + 2 and it corresponds to the horizontal translation of 2 units to the left.

 1 is added to the function and it corresponds to the vertical translation of 1 unit upwards.
Answer: 2 units to left and 1 unit to up.
Example 2:
State the combination of transformations applied on the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) to obtain 𝑔(𝑥 ):
𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 − 6 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2.
SOLUTION:
1 1
We have 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + 2 = − (−3𝑥 – 6) = − 𝑓(𝑥 )
3 3

 Thus, the combinations of transformations applied on 𝑓(𝑥) are:

 Vertical dilation by a scale factor of 13 and

 Reflection with respect to the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.( only the signs of 𝑦 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 are changed and
there is no change in 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠)
Answer: Vertical dilation and reflection.

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Example 3:
Write the function corresponding to the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) that transformed from the graph 𝑓(𝑥) by using
the function transformation rules.

SOLUTION:
Take 𝑓(𝑥) as the original function and observe how it is moving/transforming to give 𝑔(𝑥).
 Observe the vertex of both graphs to get an idea.
It is very clear that it moved 6 units to the left (𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑥 = 3 𝑡𝑜 𝑥 = −3)and so the
function is 𝑓(𝑥 + 6).
 it then reflected with respect to the 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔, so the function is − 𝑓(𝑥 + 6).
Answer: 𝒈(𝒙) = − 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝟔).

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