1. Transformations of Linear and Absolute Value Functions
Section 1.2 Beginning on Page 11

2. The Big Ideas
In the previous section we were introduced to families of functions, parent functions, and the graphs of transformations to the parent functions.
In this section we will learn about the effect of transformations on the graphs and rules of linear and absolute value functions. We will be…
Using function notation to represent transformations of graphs of functions.
Writing functions representing translations and reflections.
Horizontal and vertical translations
Reflections about the x-axis and reflections about the y-axis
Writing functions representing stretches and shrinks
Vertical stretches and shrinks as well as horizontal stretches and shrinks
Writing functions representing combinations of transformations.

3. Horizontal Translations
The graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥−ℎ) is a horizontal translation of the graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥).
The graph shifts left when ℎ<0
𝑦=𝑓(𝑥+3)
The graph shifts right when ℎ>0
𝑦=𝑓 𝑥−3
=𝑓(𝑥− −3 )
=𝑓(𝑥− 3 )

4. Vertical Translations
The graph of 𝑦=𝑓 𝑥 +𝑘 is a vertical translation of the graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥).
The graph shifts down when 𝑘<0
𝑦=𝑓 𝑥 −3
The graph shifts up when 𝑘>0
𝑦=𝑓 𝑥 +3

5. Writing Translations of Functions
Example 1: Let 𝑓 𝑥 =2𝑥+1
Write a function g whose graph is a translation 3 units down of the graph of f.
Write a function h whose graph is a translation 2 units to the left of the graph of f.
3 units down is a vertical translation, so add -3 to the output value.
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 +(−3)
𝑔 𝑥 =2𝑥+1+(−3)
Replace 𝑓(𝑥) with 2𝑥+1 and simplify.
𝑔 𝑥 =2𝑥−2
2 units left is a horizontal translation, so subtract -2 from the input value. Simplify if possible.
ℎ 𝑥 =𝑓(𝑥− −2 )
ℎ 𝑥 =𝑓(𝑥+2)
Replace 𝑥 with 𝑥+2 and simplify.
ℎ 𝑥 =2 𝑥+2 +1
ℎ 𝑥 =2𝑥+4+1
ℎ 𝑥 =2𝑥+5

6. Reflections in the x-axis
The graph of 𝑦=−𝑓 𝑥 is a reflection in the x-axis of the graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)
Multiplying the outputs (y values) by -1 changes their signs.

7. Reflections in the y-axis
The graph of 𝑦=𝑓 −𝑥 is a reflection in the y-axis of the graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)
Multiplying the inputs (x values) by -1 changes their signs.

8. Writing Reflections of Functions
Example 2: Let 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+3 +1
Write a function g whose graph is a reflection in the x-axis of the graph of f.
Write a function h whose graph is a reflection in the y-axis of the graph of f.
A reflection in the x-axis changes the sign of the output values.
𝑔 𝑥 =−𝑓 𝑥
𝑔 𝑥 =−( 𝑥+3 +1)
Replace 𝑓(𝑥) with 𝑥+3 +1 and simplify.
𝑔 𝑥 =− 𝑥+3 −1
A reflection in the y-axis changes the sign of the input value.
ℎ 𝑥 =𝑓(−𝑥)
ℎ 𝑥 = −𝑥+3 +1
Replace 𝑥 with −𝑥 .
Factor out the -1.
Simplify
ℎ 𝑥 = −(𝑥−3) +1
ℎ 𝑥 = −1 𝑥−3 +1
ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥−3 +1

9. Quick Practice
Write a function g whose graph represents the indicated transformation of the graph of f.
𝑓 𝑥 =3𝑥; translation 5 units up
2) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 −3 ; translation 4 units to the right
3) 𝑓 𝑥 =− 𝑥+2 −1 ; reflection in the x-axis
4) 𝑓 𝑥 = 1 2 𝑥+1; reflection in the y-axis
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 +5
𝑔 𝑥 =3𝑥+5
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓(𝑥−4)
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥−4 = 𝑥−4 −3
𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥−4 −3
𝑔 𝑥 =−𝑓(𝑥)
𝑔 𝑥 =−(− 𝑥+2 −1)
𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥+2 +1
𝑔 𝑥 = 1 2 −𝑥 +1
𝑔 𝑥 =− 1 2 𝑥+1
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓(−𝑥)

10. Vertical Stretches and Shrinks
The graph of 𝑦=𝑎∙𝑓(𝑥) is a vertical stretch or shrink by a factor of 𝑎 of the graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)
Multiplying the outputs by 𝑎 :
stretches the graph vertically (away from the x-axis) when 𝑎>1
shrinks the graph vertically (toward the x-axis) when 0<𝑎<1 .

11. Horizontal Stretches and Shrinks
The graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑎𝑥) is a horizontal stretch or shrink by a factor of 1 𝑎 of the graph of 𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)
Multiplying the inputs by 𝑎 before evaluating the function :
stretches the graph horizontally (away from the y-axis) when 0<𝑎<1
shrinks the graph horizontally (toward the y-axis) when a>1 .

12. Writing Stretches and Shrinks of Functions
Example 3: Let 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−3 −5 . Write (a) a function g whose graph is a horizontal shrink of the graph of f by a factor of 1 3 , and (b) a function h whose graph is a vertical stretch of the graph of f by a factor of 2.
A horizontal shrink by a factor of multiplies each input value by 3 :
A vertical stretch by a factor of 2 multiplies each output value by 2 :
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓(3𝑥)
= (3𝑥)−3 −5
𝑔 𝑥 = 3𝑥−3 −5
ℎ 𝑥 =2∙𝑓(𝑥)
=2( 𝑥−3 −5)
ℎ(𝑥)=2 𝑥−3 −10

13. Quick Practice
Write a function g whose graph represents the indicated transformation of the graph of f.
5) 𝑓 𝑥 =4𝑥+2; horizontal stretch by a factor of 2
6) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 −3 ; vertical shrink by a factor of 1 3
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 1 2 𝑥
= 𝑥 +2
=2𝑥+2
𝑔 𝑥 =2𝑥+2
𝑔 𝑥 = 1 3 𝑥 −1
𝑔 𝑥 = 1 3 ∙𝑓(𝑥)
= 𝑥 −3
= 1 3 𝑥 −1

14. Combinations of Transformations
You can write a function that represents a series of transformations on the graph of another function by applying the transformations one at a time in the stated order.
Example 4: Let the graph of g be a vertical shrink by a factor of 0.25 followed by a translation 3 units up of the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥. Write a rule for g.
For the vertical shrink, multiply the function by 0.25
For the translation, add 3 to the function.
ℎ 𝑥 =0.25∙𝑓(𝑥)
=0.25𝑥
g 𝑥 =ℎ 𝑥 +3
=2𝑥+3
𝑔 𝑥 =2𝑥+3

15. Modeling with Mathematics
Example 5: You designing a computer game. Your revenue for 𝑥 downloads is given by 𝑓(𝑥)=2𝑥 . Your profit is $50 less than 90% of the revenue for 𝑥 downloads. Describe how to transform the graph of 𝑓 to model the profit. What is your profit for 100 downloads?
Write a function p that represents the profit.
Profit = 90% ∙ revenue - 50
Vertical shrink, factor of .9
Vertical translation 50 units down.
𝑝 𝑥 =.9∙𝑓 𝑥 −50
𝑝 𝑥 =.9∙ 2𝑥 −50
𝑝 𝑥 =1.8𝑥− 50
Find the profit for 100 downloads.
(evaluate 𝑝(𝑥) for 𝑥=100 )
The vertical shrink decreases the slope and the translation shifts the graph 50 units down. The graph of p is below and not as steep as the graph of f.
Your profit for 100 downloads is $130
𝑝 100 =1.8(100)− 50
𝑝 100 =130

16. Quick Practice
7) Let the graph of g be a translation 6 units down followed by a reflection in the x-axis of the graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 . Write a rule for g. Use a graphing calculator to check your answer.
Vertical Translation:
Reflection in the x-axis:
8) What if in example 5, your revenue function is f(x)=3x. How does this affect your profit for 100 downloads?
ℎ 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 −6
ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥 −6
𝑔 𝑥 =−ℎ(𝑥)
𝑔 𝑥 =− 𝑥 −6
𝑔 𝑥 =− 𝑥 +6
𝑝 𝑥 =.9∙𝑓 𝑥 −50
𝑝 𝑥 =2.7𝑥− 50
𝑝 100 =2.7(100)− 50
𝑝 100 =220
𝑝 𝑥 =.9∙ 3𝑥 −50
Profit increases to $220