In this lesson, we will determine the different types of
Transformations that can be applied to the parent function \(f(x) = x^2\) by expressing it in the
Vertex Form \(f(x) = a(x-h)^2 + k\).
Reflection, Stretching and Compression
The \(a\) value will both determine whether the quadratic function will get either stretched or compressed and which direction it will open:
- If \(|a| > 1\), the graph will get stretched by a factor of \(a\). This will make the graph appear narrower, as the x value will have a greater effect on the y value
- If \(|a| < 1\), the graph will get compressed by a factor of \(a\). This will make the graph appear wider, as the x value won't have as greate of an effect on the y value
- If \(a > 0\), the function will be positive, making the parabola open upward
- If \(a < 0\), the function will be negative, reflecting the graph and making the parabola open downward
State the transformation(s) in the quadratic equation \(f(x) = -6x^2\)
Show Answer
- We can first identify \(a = -6\)
- The graph is compressed by a factor of 6
- The graph is reflected
Horizontal Shifts
The \(h\) value will determine which direction horizontally the graph will get shifted. This change can be represented algebraically by the equation \(f(x) = (x-h)^2\):
- If \(h > 0\), the graph will get shifted to the right by \(h\) units
- If \(h < 0\), the graph will get shifted to the left by \(h\) units
Identify the quadratic equation for a graph that is shifted \(5\) units left
Show Answer
- Since the graph is getting shifted to the left, we can identify \(h = -5\)
- When we plug the value into the equation, the negatives cancel each other out. As a result, we get the final equation \(f(x) = (x + 5)^2\)
Vertical Shifts
The \(k\) value will determine which direction vertically the graph will get shifted. This change can be represented algebraically by the equation \(f(x) = x^2 + k\):
- If \(k > 0\), the graph will get shifted upwards \(k\) units
- If \(k < 0\), the graph will get shifted downwards \(k\) units
Identify the quadratic equation for a graph that is shifted \(7\) units upward
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- Since the graph is getting shifted to the upward, we can identify \(k = 7\)
- When we plug the \(k\) value into the equation, we get the final equation \(f(x) = x^2 + 5\)
Identify and graph a qudratic equation that is reflected, stretched by a factor of \(4\), shifted \(3\) units right and shifted \(2\) units downward
Show Answer
- Since the graph is reflected and stretched, we can identify \(a = -\cfrac{1}{4}\)
- Since the graph is getting shifted to the right, we can identify \(h = 3\)
- Since the graph is getting shifted downward, we can identify \(k = -2\)
- When we plug all the values into the equation, we get the final equation \(f(x) = -\cfrac{1}{4}(x-3)^2 - 2\)
In order to assist with graphing, we can create a table of values (from \(x=-1\) to \(x =7\)) to help determine where each of the points lie:
X |
-1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Y
| -6 |
-4.25 |
-3 |
-2.25 |
-2 |
-2.25 |
-3 |
-4.25 |
-6 |