Shifting and Reflecting
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Six Basic Functions
Below are six basic functions:
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Memorize the shapes of these functions.
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Horizontal Shifting
Consider the graphs
y =
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(x + 0)2
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(x + 1)2
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(x + 2)2
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(x + 3)3
Exercise
Use the list features of a calculator to sketch the graph of
y = 1/[x - {0,1,2,3}]
Rule1: f(x - a) = f(x) shifted a units to the right.
Rule 2: f(x + a) = f(x) shifted a units to the left
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Vertical Shifting
Consider the graphs
y =
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x3
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x3 + 1
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x3 + 2
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x3 + 3
Exercise
Use the list features of a calculator to sketch the graph of
y =
x3 - {0,1,2,3}
Rule 3: f(x ) + a = f(x) shifted a units up.
Rule 4: f(x) - a = f(x) shifted a units down. |
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Reflecting About the x-axis
Consider the graphs
y = x2 and y = -x2
Rule 5: -f(x ) = f(x) reflected about the x-axis. |
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Reflecting About the y-axis.
Exercise:
Use the calculator to graph
and
Rule 6: f(-x ) = f(x) reflected about the y-axis. |
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Stretching and Compressing
Exercises
Graph the following
y = {1,2,3,4}x3
y = {1/2,1/3,1/4,1/5}x3
Rule 7: cf(x ) = f(x) (for c > 1) stretched vertically.
Rule 8: cf(x ) = f(x) (c < 1) compressed vertically. |
We will do some examples (including the graph of the winnings for the gambler
and for the casino.
Exercises: Graph the following
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y = x2 - 10
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y = sqrt(x - 2)
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y = -|x - 5| + 3
For an interactive investigation of the shifting rules go
to
http://mathcsjava.emporia.edu/~greenlar/Shifter/Shifter1.html
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Increasing and Decreasing Functions
A function is called increasing if as an object moves from
left to right, it is moving upwards along the graph.
If
x < y
then
f(x) < f(y)
A function is called decreasing if as an object moves from
left to right, it is moving downwards along the graph.
If
x < y
then
f(x) > f(y)
Example:
The curve
y = x2
is increasing on (0,
) and decreasing
on (-,0)
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