10 Extended Mathematics

Unit 1: Functions
Lesson 4: Investigating Transformations of Functions (Day 1)

The aim of this lesson is to investigate how altering the equation of a function changes the shape and
position of its graph. Your goal is to observe patterns and find correct generalized rules for each of the
transformations below, including the order in which they are applied to a function. Then, you are going to
apply what you have learned to sketch a function that has several transformations. The six transformations
you are going to investigate are:

1. y = f ( x ) + k

2. y = f ( x + k )
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3. y = k ⋅ f ( x ); k > 0
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4. y = f ( k ⋅ x ); k > 0
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5. y = − f ( x )
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6. y = f (−x )
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Task: Part A
Note: When describing the transformations these mathematical words will be helpful: reflection
over…, translation (up, down, left, or right by how many units), vertical/horizontal stretch by a factor
of…

1. The parent function f (x) = x , f (x) + 3 , and f (x) − 2 are graphed below on the same set of axes.
f (x) + 3
f (x)
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f (x) − 2

a. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in f (x) + 3 .

b. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent

€ in f (x) − 2 .

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2. The parent function f (x) = x , f (x + 3) , and f (x − 2) are graphed below on the same set of axes.
f (x + 3)
f (x)
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f (x – 2)

a. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in f (x + 3) .

b. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in f (x − 2) .

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3. The parent function f (x) = sin x , 2 f (x) , and 0.5 f (x) are graphed below on the same set of axes.

2 f (x)
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f (x)
0.5 f (x)

a. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in 2 f (x) .

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b. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in 0.5 f (x) .

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4. The parent function f (x) = sin x , f (2x) , and f (0.5x) are graphed below on the same set of axes.

f (2x)
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f (x)
f (0.5x)

a. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in f (2x) .

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b. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in f (0.5x) .

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 5. The parent function f (x) = x and − f (x) are graphed below on the same set of axes.

f (x)
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– f (x)

a. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in − f (x) .

6. The parent function f (x) = x and f (−x) are graphed below on the same set of axes.

f (– x) f (x)
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a. Describe what transformation the parent function underwent in f (−x) .

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Task: Part B
Use the patterns you have discovered to answer the following questions.

Note: When describing the transformations these mathematical words will be helpful: reflection
over…, translation (up, down, left, or right by how many units), vertical/horizontal stretch by a factor
of…

1. Using the parent function f (x) = x , graph f (x) and f (x − 2) + 5 on the same set of axes on your
calculator. You do not need to sketch the graphs.

a. What two transformations did the parent function undergo?

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b. Does the order in which the transformations occur matter? If so, which one must be done
first?

2. Using the parent function f (x) = x , graph f (x) and f (−(x − 4)) on the same set of axes on your
calculator. You do not need to sketch the graphs.

a. What two transformations did the parent function undergo?

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b. Does the order in which the transformations occur matter? If so, which one must be done
first?
3. Using the parent function f (x) = x , graph f (x) and 2 f (x) − 3 on the same set of axes on your
calculator. You do not need to sketch the graphs.

a. What two transformations did the parent function undergo?

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b. Does the order in which the transformations occur matter? If so, which one must be done
first?

4. Using the parent function f (x) = x , graph f (x) and f (2x − 6) on the same set of axes on your
calculator. You do not need to sketch the graphs. (Hint: factor 2x – 6).

a. What two transformations did the parent function undergo?

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b. Does the order in which the transformations occur matter? If so, which one must be done
first?