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Many Graphs from One

The elementary functions that you have studied and will study during high school (e.g., lines, parabolas, exponential, and trigonometric functions) are building blocks for making a wide range of functions. This problem set will help you discover how to produce desired geometric changes in a functions graph by changing the function symbolically. We will begin with a function, f , that is dened by its graph:

The symbol f (x) can represent the entire graph, but it can also mean the output (or y -coordinate) of the function for a ) = 3 because 3 is the specic value of x. For example, f ( 1 2 2 2 1 y -coordinate when x = 2 . 1. Interpret each of the following using the graph of f to nd your answers. (a) f (0) (This asks, What is the y -coordinate when x is 0?) (b) f (2) (c) f ( 7 ) 4 (d) f (5) (e) For which value(s) of x is this statement true (estimate your answer when necessary): f (x) = 1 ? 2

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

c EDC 2003

Many Graphs from One: Problem

2.

We can create many new functions through simple arithmetic changes to starting functions. Lets begin by studying g (x) = f (x +3). How are the graphs of f and g related? To make this comparison, we must rst nd the graph of g , which we can do by plotting points. To nd a point on g s graph, pick a value for x and nd the corresponding value for g (x). For example: if we pick x = 2, then g (2) = f (2 + 3) = f (1). f (1) can be read from the graph and is 1. So, g (2) = f (1) = 1. Note that the input or x-value is 2, not the 1 at which f is evaluated. So, g (2) = 1 and the point (-2, 1) is part of the graph of g .

Complete the graph of g (x) above by lling in the following table of points. Be sure to select your x values systematically: graph all integer values of g s domain and a sampling of non-integer values as well. Once you are sure of the full graph of g (x), sketch it through your plotted points.

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

c EDC 2003

Many Graphs from One: Problem

x g (x) = f (x + 3) g (x) -2 g (2) = f (2 + 3) = f (1) 1 3 g (3) = f (3 + 3) = f (6) g (3) is undened -1.5 g (1.5) = f (1.5 + 3) = f (1.5) 0.5

3. 4.

Describe the ways in which the graphs of f and g are similar and dierent. Each of the following functions is a modication of f (x) (the starting function from page 1). Graph each using the following steps: i. Before you plot any points, write down a prediction about the eect of the change(s). ii. Then, make a table on a separate sheet of paper to nd points on the graph. iii. Use the shape suggested by the plotted points to complete the graph. iv. After you have completed your graph, describe how the new function is related to the original one, f (x), and identify which symbolic change is responsible for each geometric alteration (also called a transformation). (a) h(x) = f (x 5) + 2

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

c EDC 2003

Many Graphs from One: Problem

Here is a brief start to the table: x h(x) = f (x 5) + 2 h(x) 0 h(0) = f (0 5) + 2 = f (5) + 2 h(0) is undened 4 h(4) = f (4 5) + 2 = f (1) + 2 0.5 + 2 = 2.5 Pay attention to the order of operations. We have to evaluate f (x) before we can add 2. (b) j (x) = f (x) 1

(c) k (x) = f (x) + 1.5

(d) m(x) = 2f (x)

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

c EDC 2003

Many Graphs from One: Problem

(e) n(x) = f ( 1 x) 3

(f) p(x) = 3 f (2x) 4

5.

There is nothing special about the function that you have been using for f (x) it is a generic squiggle. The same changes in notation will produce the same changes to the graphs of any function. Study your answers to 4 and summarize what each of the following changes does to a function. In each case, c stands for any real-valued constant. Distinguish between the eects of changes applied to the argument of the function, x, and to the function itself. (a) f (x + c) (b) f (x) + c (c) f (x) (d) f (x) (e) f (cx) (f) cf (x)

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

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Many Graphs from One: Problem

6.

The rules for horizontal transformations those due to changes applied to x sometimes seem counterintuitive. It is easier to see why operations on x seem to have an opposite eect (for example, why adding to x moves a graph to the left) if we look at transformations on one-dimensional graphs. (a) Graph the solutions to x = 6, x = 2, and x = 5 on the number line below (yes, that is just three points in the obvious places). (b) Graph the solutions to x 4 = 6, x 4 = 2, and x 4 = 5 on the number line below. How is the graph for 6a transformed to obtain your new graph? Graph the solutions to x = 6, x = 2, and x = 5 on the number line below. How is the graph for 6a transformed to obtain your new graph? Graph the solutions to 3 x = 6, 3 x = 2, and 3 x=5 2 2 2 on the number line below. How is the graph for 6a transformed to obtain your new graph?

(c)

(d)

7.

When a function is transformed, each of its points is transformed as well. For example, if g (x) = f (x) + 4 and the point (3, 5) is part of f (x), then we can nd the corresponding point for (3, 5) on g (x). Since g (x) is a vertical translation of f (x), we can adjust the y -coordinate of the initial point: (3, 5 + 4) = (3, 1) will be part of g (x). If the point (a, b) is part of f (x), what point must be on the graph of g (x) for each of the following? (a) g (x) = f (x 12) (b) g (x) = f (x) (c) g (x) = f (x) 7 (d) g (x) = f (2x) (e) g (x) = f (x + k ) (f) g (x) = kf (x)

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

c EDC 2003

Many Graphs from One: Hints

Hints
Hint for problem 2. The function g (x) is dened in terms of f (x) and should look like f (x). If your graph starts to look like the line y = x + 3, that means that you are ignoring the f. Be sure to nd the values for f (x + 3) from the graph of f . Hint for problem 4. Finding the endpoints of the domain for each new function can give you a region on which to focus. For example, for problem 2, once we discover that g (x) is undened for x = 6 and x = 1, we pay greatest attention to the interval between 6 and 1 and, if we see that g (5) and g (0) get their values from the endpoints of f s domain (from f (2) and f (3), then we have found the endpoints for g s domain. This approach assumes that the domains are continuous (connected) and do not stop and start up in dierent places (which they do not do for the examples here, but can do for functions such as g (x) = 1 f(x )). Hint for problems 5a and 5b. Is the change vertical or horizontal? What happens for c > 0? For c < 0? Hint for problems 5e and 5f. Is the change vertical or horizontal? What happens for c > 1? For c < 1? What point(s) of a function will not move under these transformations?

Problems with a Point: August 24, 2003

c EDC 2003