Basic Transformations

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part I: Vertical Stretches
Vertical Stretches: A vertical stretch is represented by the form
y = af(x), where a is the vertical stretch factor.
Example 1: Stretch the following graph vertically about the x-axis by a factor of 3

The transformation is applied The phrase about the x-axis means the graph
by multiplying all the y-values will be stretched such that the centre is the
by 3. x-axis. Its the same idea as taking a stretchy
cloth and then pulling it with both hands in
opposite directions.
Since all the y-values are now
higher, this has the effect of
stretching the graph up
vertically.

The x-intercepts will not

move in a vertical stretch
about the x-axis.
They are called the invariant
points.

1
Example 2: Stretch the following graph vertically about the x-axis by a factor of
2
The transformation is
applied by multiplying all
the y-values by . Solid = Original
Dashed = Transformed
This has the effect of
squishing the graph down
vertically.

Example 3: Draw the graph of y = x3 and then vertically stretch it about the x-axis by
a factor of 4.
The transformation is
applied by multiplying all
the y-values by 4.

This has the effect of Solid = Original

stretching the graph Dashed = Transformed
vertically.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part I: Vertical Stretches
Questions: For each of the following graphs, draw in the vertical
stretch.
1
1) y = 2f(x) 2) y = f(x)
2

3) y = 3f(x)

Answers:
1. 2. 3.

Solid =
Original

Dashed =
Transformed

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part II: Horizontal Stretches
Horizontal Stretches: A horizontal stretch is represented by
the form y = f(bx), where the reciprocal of b is the stretch factor.
Example 1: Apply f x to the graph.
1
2
The b-value of The phrase about the y-axis means
is not the stretch the graph will be stretched
factor! horizontally such that the centre is the
y-axis.
The stretch factor
is the reciprocal
of the b-value.

You will multiply

all the x-values
by 2 in order to
transform the
graph.

Example 2: Stretch the graph horizontally about the y-axis by a factor of 1/2
*Important Note: When the
horizontal stretch factor is given
to you in a sentence, you can
apply it to the graph without
taking the reciprocal.

You only use a reciprocal when

reading the stretch factor from an
equation such as y = f(bx)

The y-intercepts do not

change in a horizontal stretch
about the y-axis. They are the
invariant points.

Example 3: Apply f(2x) to the given graph.

To transform the graph, multiply

1
all the x-values by
2

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part II: Horizontal Stretches
Questions: For each of the following graphs, draw in the horizontal
stretch.

1) y = f(2x) 1
2) y = f( x)
2

3) y = f(4x) 1
4) y = f( x)
2

Answers:

1. 2. 3. 4.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part III: Vertical Reflections
Vertical Reflections: A vertical reflection (about the x-axis)
is represented by the form y = -f(x)
Example 1: Draw y = -f(x) for the following graph
A vertical reflection is Solid = Original
done by changing the
Dashed =
signs of all y-values. Transformed.
This will reflect the graph
over the x-axis.

In a vertical reflection
(about the x-axis), the
x-intercepts are the
invariant points.

Example 2: Draw y = -f(x) for the following graph.

Example 3: Draw y = -f(x) for the following graph.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part III: Vertical Reflections
Questions: For each of the following graphs, draw in the vertical
reflection.
1) y = -f(x) 2) y = -f(x)

3) y = -f(x) 4) y = -f(x)

Answers:

1. 2. 3. 4.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part IV: Horizontal Reflections
Horizontal Reflections: A horizontal reflection
(about the y-axis) is represented by the form y = f(-x)
Example 1: Draw y = f(-x) for the following graph.
A horizontal reflection
is done by changing
the signs of all
x-values. This will
reflect the graph over
the y-axis.
In a horizontal
reflection (about
the y-axis), the
y-intercepts are the
invariant points.

Example 2: Draw y = f(-x) for the following graph.

Example 3: Draw y = f(-x) for the following graph.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part IV: Horizontal Reflections
Questions: For each of the following graphs, draw in the
horizontal reflection.

1) y = f(-x) 2) y = f(-x)

3) y = f(-x) 4) y = f(-x)

Answers:
1. 2. 3. 4.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part V: Translations
Horizontal Translation: A horizontal translation is of the
form y = f(x - c)
Vertical Translation: A vertical translation is of the
form y = f(x) + d
The word Translation
Example 1: Graph y = f(x - 3) means to slide a graph.
f(x-3) is telling you to
The word
move the graph 3 units
Transformation is more
to the right. general, including
Think of it this way: anything you can do to a
When you have a graph that moves it or
number added or changes the shape.
subtracted from x
inside brackets, do the
opposite of what the
sign is.

Example 2: Graph y = f(x) - 2

f(x) - 2 is telling you to
move the graph 2 units
down.
-Think of it this way:
When you have a
number added or
subtracted to f(x), the
vertical translation is
exactly the same as
that number.
3
Example 3: Graph y = f(x + ) + 1
2
Vertical & horizontal
translations can be
performed in either
order.

1.5 Left, 1 Up.

OR
1 Up, 1.5 Left
1
Example 4: Graph y + 1 = f(x )
When presented in 2
this form, take the 1
from the left side and
put it on the other
side of the equals.
Write as:
y = f(x 0.5) 1
0.5 Right, 1 Down.

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 Transformations Lesson 1
Part V: Translations
Questions: Apply the following translations on each of the graphs.
3
1) y = f(x - 1) 2) y = f(x + 2)
2

3) y - 3 = f(x + 4) 4) y + 2 = f(x - 1)

Answers:

1. 2. 3. 4.

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