Our Detailed reasoning for Q4 in Advanced Maths

From the Topic Guidance for Advanced Maths

Firstly, examine the graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑎) and 𝑦 − 𝑏 = 𝑓(𝑥) which can be
rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑏. Hence establish the rules for shifting right by 𝑎 units and shifting up
by 𝑏 units:
˗ To shift right by 𝑎 units, replace 𝑥 by 𝑥 − 𝑎.
˗ To shift up by 𝑏 units, replace 𝑦 by 𝑦 − 𝑏.
𝑥 𝑦
Secondly, examine the graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑘) and 𝑐 = 𝑓(𝑥) which can be rewritten as
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑓(𝑥). Hence establish the rules for horizontal dilation by a factor of 𝑘 and vertical dilation
by a factor of 𝑐:
𝑥
˗ To dilate horizontally by a factor of 𝑘, replace 𝑥 by .
𝑘
𝑦
˗ To dilate vertically by a factor of 𝑐, replace 𝑦 by .
𝑐

OUR Question 4
The curve is translated to the left by units and then dilated horizontally by a scale factor
of 3.
What is the equation which describes this new curve?

˗ To shift left by 𝜋 units, replace 𝑥 by 𝑥 + 𝜋.

This gives an equation : 𝑦 = ln (𝑥 + 𝜋)
This gives the curve crossing the x-axis at 𝑥 = 1 − 𝜋, approximately -2.14.
Intercept is (1 − 𝜋, 0) and asymptote is 𝑥 = −𝜋. (See Graph on next page)

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑎 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑓 3

𝑥
˗ To dilate horizontally by a factor of 3, replace 𝑥 by 3 .
𝑥+𝜋
But 𝑥 has already been replaced by 𝑥 + 𝜋, so replace 𝑥 + 𝜋 by .
3
𝑥+𝜋
This gives an equation : 𝑦 = ln ( )
3

𝑥 intercept when 𝑦 = 0:
𝑥+π
ln ( )=0
3
𝑥+π
=1
3
𝑥+π=3
𝑥 = 3−π
𝑥+π
Asymptote where ln ( ) is undefined
3
𝑥+π
i. e. where =0
3
𝑥+π=0
𝑥 = −π

This gives the curve crossing the x-axis at 𝑥 = 3 − π, approximately -0.14.

Intercept is (3 − π, 0) and asymptote is 𝑥 = −𝜋.
In Terms of graphs the curve is translated left to the red graph.
When this is dilated, the asymptote (discontinuity) does not move, as multiplying or dividing by 3
won’t change the discontinuity (see algebraic interpretation above)
The curve thence is dilated entirely to the right of the discontinuity the intercept moving to 𝑥 = 3 − π,
giving the blue graph.

The solution then is D in the multiple choice options.