Shifting and Reflecting

  1. Six Basic Functions

    Below are six basic functions:





















    1. Memorize the shapes of these functions.

  2. Horizontal Shifting

     Consider the graphs

    y = 

    1. (x + 0)2

    2. (x + 1)2

    3. (x + 2)2

    4. (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

     


  3. Vertical Shifting

    Consider the graphs

    y = 

    1. x3

    2. x3 + 1

    3. x3 + 2

    4. 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.


  4. Reflecting About the x-axis

    Consider the graphs

     y = x2  and y = -x2  


    Rule 5:  -f(x ) = f(x)  reflected about the x-axis.



  5. Reflecting About the y-axis.

    Exercise:

    Use the calculator to graph

             

    and

           

    Rule 6:  f(-x ) = f(x) reflected about the y-axis.


  6. Stretching and Compressing

    Exercises

    Graph the following

    1. y = {1,2,3,4}x3

    2. 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

  1.  y = x2 - 10

  2. y = sqrt(x - 2)

  3.  y = -|x - 5| + 3 

For an interactive investigation of the shifting rules go to 

http://mathcsjava.emporia.edu/~greenlar/Shifter/Shifter1.html

  1. 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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