Graphs and

Transformations
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 Prior Knowledge Check
1) Factorise these quadratic 3) Copy and complete the table below
expressions: and use it to plot the graph of
a) b)
( 𝑥+ 5)( 𝑥+1) (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 −1) 𝒙 −𝟏 . 𝟓−𝟏−𝟎 . 𝟓 𝟎 𝟎 . 𝟓 𝟏 𝟏 . 𝟓
𝒚 −𝟔.𝟖𝟕𝟓−𝟒−𝟐.𝟔𝟐𝟓−𝟐−𝟏.𝟑𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝟐.𝟖𝟕𝟓
2) Sketch the graphs of the following
functions:
a) b)

4) Solve each pair of simultaneous

equations:
a)
−𝟐 𝟑 −𝟏 𝟕
−𝟕 𝒙=𝟐 , 𝒚 =𝟒
− 𝟔(𝟎.𝟓,−𝟔.𝟐𝟓) b)
(𝟑 , −𝟏𝟔)
𝒙=𝟏 , 𝒚 =𝟏
Teachings for
Exercise 4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form ,
where , , and are real numbers
and .

3 2
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =𝑎 𝑥 +𝑏 𝑥 +𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑=0
If is positive If is negative

y y

x x

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form , Example
where , , and are real numbers
Sketch the graph of the function:
and .
y  ( x  2)( x  1)( x  1)
 You can sketch cubic graphs in a
similar way to quadratics, by If y = 0
considering their roots
0  ( x  2)( x  1)( x  1)
 You should also find where they So x = 2, 1 or -1
cross the y-axis, and consider the (-1,0) (1,0) and (2,0)
general shape of the graph
If x = 0
y  (0  2)(0  1)(0  1)
So y = 2
(0,2)

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form , Example
where , , and are real numbers
Sketch the graph of the function:
and .
y  ( x  2)( x  1)( x  1)
 You can sketch cubic graphs in a (-1,0) (1,0) (2,0) (0,2)
similar way to quadratics, by
considering their roots y

 You should also find where they

cross the y-axis, and consider the 2
general shape of the graph
x
-1 1 2
 If you multiplied the brackets
out, the term would be positive,
so the graph is increasing overall
from left to right

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form ,
where , , and are real numbers Example
and . Sketch the graph of the function:

y  ( x  2)(1  x)(1  x)
 You can sketch cubic graphs in a
similar way to quadratics, by
considering their roots (-1,0) (1,0) (2,0) (0,-2)
y
 You should also find where they
cross the y-axis, and consider the
general shape of the graph

 If you multiplied the brackets x

out, the term would be negative, so -1 1 2
the graph is decreasing overall from -2
left to right

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form ,
where , , and are real numbers Example
and . Sketch the graph of the function:

 You can sketch cubic graphs in a
similar way to quadratics, by
considering their roots
 You should also find where they
cross the y-axis, and consider the
general shape of the graph
y  ( x  2)(1  x)(1  x)
If y = 0
0  ( x  2)(1  x)(1  x)
So x = 2, 1 or -1
(-1,0) (1,0) and (2,0)

If x = 0
y  (0  2)(1  0)(1  0)
So y = -2
(0,-2)

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form ,
where , , and are real numbers Example
and . Sketch the graph of the function:

y  ( x  1) 2 ( x  1)
 You can sketch cubic graphs in a
similar way to quadratics, by
considering their roots If y = 0
0  ( x  1) 2 ( x  1)
 You should also find where they
cross the y-axis, and consider the So x = 1 or -1
general shape of the graph (-1,0) and (1,0)

If x = 0
y  (0  1) 2 (0  1)
So y = 1
(0,1)

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form ,
where , , and are real numbers Example
and . Sketch the graph of the function:

y  ( x  1) 2 ( x  1)
 You can sketch cubic graphs in a
similar way to quadratics, by
considering their roots (-1,0) (1,0) (0,1)
y
 You should also find where they
cross the y-axis, and consider the ‘repeated
general shape of the graph root’
1

 If you have a squared bracket, x

the curve just touches the axis -1 1
without passing through…

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form ,
where , , and are real numbers
and .

 Sketch the curve with equation:

You could try factorising to see if there are

more roots from the second bracket
If ,
 (0,-2)  In this case though, , so there are not
more roots…

 One root is at
 (1,0)

4A
 Graphs and Transformations
Cubic graphs are of the form , y
where , , and are real numbers
and .

 Sketch the curve with equation:

x
1

-2
If ,
 (0,-2)

With the information we have we cannot be sure

 One root is at about the precise shape
 (1,0)  Remember this is just a sketch with key points
included

4A
Teachings for
Exercise 4B
 Graphs and Transformations
𝑦 𝒂>𝟎
Quartic graphs are of the form ,
where , , , and are real numbers
and .

 A quartic equation can take a number of 𝑥

different forms depending on its exact
nature
 It can have up to 4 roots, and up to 3
turning points…

𝑦 𝒂>𝟎 𝑦

𝒂<𝟎

𝑥 𝑥

‘repeated
root’
4B
 Graphs and Transformations
Quartic graphs are of the form ,
where , , , and are real numbers
and . 𝑦 =( 𝑥+ 1 )( 𝑥 +2 ) ( 𝑥 −1 ) ( 𝑥 −2 )
𝑦
4
Sketch the curve:

-2 -1 1 2
𝑥
 There will be roots where x = -1, -2, 1
and 2

 If , then

4B
 Graphs and Transformations
Quartic graphs are of the form ,
where , , , and are real numbers
and .
𝑦
Sketch the curve:

3
𝑥
-2 0
 There will be roots where x = 0, -2, and
3

 The root at -2 will be repeated

𝑦 =𝑥 ( 𝑥+ 2 )2 (3 − 𝑥 )

 If , then

4B
 Graphs and Transformations
Quartic graphs are of the form ,
where , , , and are real numbers
and . 𝑦 =( 𝑥 −1 )2 ( 𝑥 − 3 )2
𝑦
Sketch the curve:
9

1 3
𝑥
 There will be repeated roots at both 1
and 3

 If , then

4B
Teachings for
Exercise 4C
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch graphs of reciprocal Example
functions such as , and by
Sketch the graph of the function
considering their asymptotes.
1
y
x

x -1 -0.5 -0.25 0.25 0.5 1

y
y -1 -2 -4 4 2 1

You cannot divide by 0, so you get no y = 1/x

coordinate when x takes this value
x
 In the example to the right, the
asymptotes are the x and y axes,
as the graph tends towards these
but does not reach them
 Their equations would be and

4C
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch graphs of reciprocal Example
functions such as , and by
Sketch the graph of the function
considering their asymptotes.
3
y
x

y y = 3/x
The curve will be the same
as the previous one, but
further out…
y = 1/x
x

4C
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch graphs of reciprocal Example
functions such as , and by Sketch the graph of the function
considering their asymptotes.
1
y
x

y
y = -1/x
The curve will be the
same, but reflected in
the x-axis
y = 1/x
x

4C
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch graphs of reciprocal Example
functions such as , and by Sketch the graph of the function
considering their asymptotes.
1
𝑦= 2
𝑥
If the equation contains an , this will
mean that all the values will be y
positive (assuming there are no other
parts to the equation)

1
 Think about what the graph will 𝑦= 2
look like… 𝑥
x

x -1 -0.5 -0.25 0.25 0.5 1

y 1 4 16 16 4 1

4C
Teachings for
Exercise 4D
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch curves to show
points of intersection and solutions Example
to equations. On the same diagram, sketch the following
curves:

 The coordinates at the points of y  x( x  3) and y  x 2 (1  x)

intersection of graphs and show the
solutions to the equation y y  x( x  3)

y  x( x  3) Quadratic ‘U’ shape

Crosses through 0
and 3
x
0 1 3
y  x (1  x)
2
Cubic ‘negative’ shape
Crosses through 0
and 1. The ‘0’ is
y  x 2 (1  x)
repeated so just
‘touched’
4D
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch curves to show
points of intersection and solutions Find the co-ordinates of the points of
to equations. intersection
 Set the equations equal to each other
 The coordinates at the points of
intersection of graphs and show the
solutions to the equation x( x  3)  x 2 (1  x) Expand
x 2  3x  x 2  x3 brackets
Group
y y  x( x  3)
together
x3  3x  0
Factorise
x( x  3)  0
2

x0 x2  3  0
x
0 1 3 x2  3
x 3
y  x 2 (1  x)
There are 3 solutions for x, we need to find
the corresponding values of y
4D
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch curves to show
points of intersection and solutions x0 x 3
to equations.

 The coordinates at the points of

intersection of graphs and show the y  x( x  3)
solutions to the equation

x=-√3 x=0 x=√3

y y  x( x  3)
y  x( x  3) y  x( x  3) y  x( x  3)

y   3( 3  3) y  0(0  3) y  3( 3  3)

y  33 3 y0 y  33 3

x
0 1 3
(-√3 , 3+3√3) (0,0) (√3 , 3-3√3)

y  x 2 (1  x)

4D
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch curves to show
points of intersection and solutions Example
to equations. On the same diagram, sketch the following
curves:
2
 The coordinates at the points of y  x ( x  1) and
2 y
intersection of graphs and show the x
solutions to the equation y

y  x 2 ( x  1) Cubic ‘positive’ shape

Crosses through 0
and 1. The ‘0’ is y = 2/x
repeated.
x
2 0 1
y Reciprocal ‘positive’
x shape
Does not cross any
axes

4D
 Graphs and Transformations
You can sketch curves to show
points of intersection and solutions Example
to equations. On the same diagram, sketch the following
curves:
2
 The coordinates at the points of y  x ( x  1) and
2 y
intersection of graphs and show the x
solutions to the equation y

They cross in 2
 Explain how the graph shows that
the following equation has 2 solutions places…

y = 2/x
2
x 2 ( x  1)  0 x
x 0 1
2
x 2 ( x  1) 
x Set equations
equal, and re-
2 arrange
x 2 ( x  1)  0
x
4D
Teachings for
Exercise 4E
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function 𝟐 y 𝒚 =𝒙𝟐 +𝟐 𝒙 +𝟏
itself. The first type is the
𝒚 =𝒙 +𝟐 𝒙
translation of a graph.

Let’s compare two functions by

plotting their graphs:

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 x

𝒚 𝟑 𝟎 −𝟏 𝟎 𝟑 𝟖 𝟏𝟓

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝒚 𝟒 𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟒 𝟗 𝟏𝟔
You can see that adding 1 to the whole equation has translated the graph up by 1!
We get the same original set of values for , but they have all increased by an extra 1
4E
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function y
itself. The first type is the
𝒚 =𝒙𝟐 +𝟐 𝒙 𝟐
𝒚 =(𝒙 −𝟏) +𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟏)
translation of a graph.

Let’s compare two functions by

plotting their graphs:

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 x

𝒚 𝟑 𝟎 −𝟏 𝟎 𝟑 𝟖 𝟏𝟓

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝒚 𝟖 𝟑 𝟎 −𝟏 𝟎 𝟑 𝟖
You can see that replacing x with has translated the graph 1 units to the right!
We get the same set of values for , but we need values that are one higher to do so!
4E
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function
itself. The first type is the
translation of a graph.
As a general rule:
The graph of is a translation of the graph
by the vector
The graph of is a translation of the graph
by the vector
Note the difference here
 In the first one, we are just
adding/subtracting a value to the
equation, which moves it up and down
 In the second one, we are
adding/subtracting a value to x before
any calculations are done, which moves
the graph sideways
4E
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a Sketch the following graphs:
function by altering the function a)
itself. The first type is the b) Translates 2 units right
translation of a graph. c) Translates 2 units up
y
𝟐 𝒚 =𝒙 𝟐 +𝟐 𝟐
𝒚 =𝒙 𝒚 =( 𝒙 −𝟐)
As a general rule:

The graph of is a translation of the graph

by the vector
𝟒
The graph of is a translation of the graph 𝟐
by the vector
x
𝟎 𝟐

4E
 Graphs and Transformations
Given that and , sketch the graphs of and
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function
 So both will be translated 1 unit left
itself. The first type is the
translation of a graph.
y y
𝒚 =𝒇 (𝒙) 𝒚 =𝒇 (𝒙+𝟏)
As a general rule:

𝟏
The graph of is a translation of the graph x −𝟏 x
by the vector
𝟎

The graph of is a translation of the graph

by the vector y y
𝒚 =𝒈 (𝒙) 𝒚 =𝒈 (𝒙 +𝟏)

𝟎 𝟐 x −𝟏 𝟏 x
−𝟏

4E
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a Given that , sketch the curve with equation , stating
function by altering the function the equations of any asymptotes and intersections
with the axes
itself. The first type is the
translation of a graph.
𝒙 =𝟎y
As a general rule:

The graph of is a translation of the graph

by the vector

The graph of is a translation of the graph 𝒚 =𝟏

by the vector
x

 Remember to include the

asymptotes and their equations

 You can calculate the value of x at

the intersection. Consider the 𝟏
= (𝒙
𝒚𝒚=𝒉 + )𝟏
+𝟏
actual equation of the blue line… 𝒚 =𝒉(𝒙) 𝒙
4E
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a Given that , sketch the curve with equation , stating
function by altering the function the equations of any asymptotes and intersections
with the axes
itself. The first type is the
translation of a graph.
𝒙 =𝟎y
As a general rule:

The graph of is a translation of the graph

by the vector

The graph of is a translation of the graph 𝒚 =𝟏

by the vector
x
−𝟏
1
0= +1
𝑥
Subtract 1
1
−1=
𝑥
Solve
𝟏
𝑥=−1 𝒚= +𝟏
𝒙
4E
Teachings for
Exercise 4F
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function 𝟐 y 𝒚 =𝟐(𝒙 𝟐+𝟐 𝒙)
itself. The second type is
𝒚 =𝒙 +𝟐 𝒙
stretching a graph.

Let’s compare two functions by

plotting their graphs:

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 x

𝒚 𝟑 𝟎 −𝟏 𝟎 𝟑 𝟖 𝟏𝟓

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝒚 𝟔 𝟎 −𝟐 𝟎 𝟔 𝟏𝟔 𝟑𝟎
You can see that multiplying the whole equation by two has stretched it vertically by a factor 2
We get the same original set of values for , but they have all doubled
4F
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function y𝒚 =(𝟐 𝒙)𝟐 +𝟐 (𝟐 𝒙)
itself. The second type is
𝒚 =𝒙𝟐 +𝟐 𝒙
stretching a graph.

Let’s compare two functions by

plotting their graphs:

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑 x

𝒚 𝟑 𝟎 −𝟏 𝟎 𝟑 𝟖 𝟏𝟓

𝒙 −𝟑−𝟐−𝟏 𝟎 𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝒚 𝟐𝟒 𝟖 𝟎 𝟎 𝟖 𝟐𝟒𝟒𝟖
You can see that replacing with has squashed the graph horizontally by a factor 2
We get the same set of values for , but for values that are half what they were before!
4F
 Graphs and Transformations
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function
itself. The second type is
Note the difference here
stretching a graph.
 In the first one, we are just multiplying
the whole equation by a value, so the
As a general rule: answers for y (vertical) all change
 In the second one, we are multiplying x
by a value before calculating. So for
The graph of is an stretch of the graph example if we multiply by 2, we will get
by a scale factor in the vertical direction
the same y-values as before, but for x-
vales that are halved
The graph of is a stretch of the graph by
a scale factor in the horizontal direction

4E
 Graphs and Transformations
y
You can transform the graph of a 𝒚 =𝒇 ( 𝒙)
function by altering the function 𝟗
itself. The second type is
stretching a graph.
−𝟑 𝟑 x

Given that , sketch the curves with (The x

coordinates (The y
equations: halve) coordinates
double)
𝒚 =𝒇 (𝟐 𝒙)
𝒚 =𝟐 𝒇 ( 𝒙)
a)
y y
b)
𝟗 𝟏𝟖
Start by sketching
𝟏.𝟓 x −𝟑 𝟑 x
−𝟏 . 𝟓

Note that if the sketches are on separate axes, you do not

need to ‘stretch’ them – just label key points correctly
4F
 Graphs and Transformations
y
𝒚 =𝒇 ( 𝒙)
You can transform the graph of a
function by altering the function
itself. The second type is
stretching a graph.
−𝟏 𝟐 x

Notice that all the ‘x’

a) Sketch the curve with equation values have become (The y
‘2x’.x coordinates
(The coordinates are
halve) multiplied by -1)
 Therefore, we
b) Hence, sketch the curve must draw𝒚the (𝟐 𝒙)
=𝒇graph 𝒚 =− 𝒇 ( 𝒙)
of y y

c) Based on your
𝒚 =𝒇sketch
(𝟐 𝒙) in a), also
sketch the curve

−𝟎 . 𝟓 𝟏 x −𝟏 𝟐 x
𝒚 =− 𝒇 ( 𝒙)
Notice that the negative sign will
cause all values of y to be multiplied
by -1

 This is therefore the graph of , a

reflection in the x-axis
4F
 Graphs and Transformations
𝒚 =𝒇 ( 𝒙) 𝒚 =𝒇 (− 𝒙)
You can transform the graph of a y
function by altering the function
itself. The second type is
stretching a graph.

On the same set of axes, draw the

graphs of , and
where
x
−𝟐 𝟎 𝟐
𝒚 =𝒇 (− 𝒙)
We get the same y values, but after the
x values have been multiplied by -1
 Reflection in the y-axis

𝒚 =− 𝒇 ( 𝒙)
All the y-values we get are multiplied by 𝒚 =− 𝒇 ( 𝒙)
-1
 Reflection in the x-axis

4F
Teachings for
Exercise 4G
 Graphs and Transformations
y 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
You can apply transformations to
unfamiliar functions by considering
how specific points and features will (1,4)
be affected.

(3,1)
The diagram to the right shows a
sketch of the curve which passes x
through the origin. The points and
also lie on the curve.
y 𝑓 ( 𝑥 +1)
a) Sketch the graph of
(0,4)
 Graph translates one unit left
 x coordinates decrease by 1
(2,1)
x
(-1,0)

4G
 Graphs and Transformations
y 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
You can apply transformations to
unfamiliar functions by considering
how specific points and features will (1,4)
be affected.

(3,1)
The diagram to the right shows a
sketch of the curve which passes x
through the origin. The points and
also lie on the curve.
y 𝑓 (𝑥− 1
b) Sketch the graph of
(2,4)
 Graph translates one unit right
 x coordinates increase by 1
(4,1)
x
(1,0)

4G
 Graphs and Transformations
y 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
You can apply transformations to
unfamiliar functions by considering
how specific points and features will (1,4)
be affected.

(3,1)
The diagram to the right shows a
sketch of the curve which passes x
through the origin. The points and
also lie on the curve. y

c) Sketch the graph of

𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 4
 Graph translates four units down
 y coordinates decrease by 4 (1,0)
x

(3,-3)

(0,-4)
4G
 Graphs and Transformations
y 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
You can apply transformations to
unfamiliar functions by considering
how specific points and features will (1,4)
be affected.

(3,1)
The diagram to the right shows a
sketch of the curve which passes x
through the origin. The points and
also lie on the curve.
y

d) Sketch the graph of

1
𝑓 ( 𝑥)
2
Therefore
(1,2) (3,0.5)

 Graph ‘stretched’ vertically by ½ x

 y coordinates halve

4G