College Algebra : Transformations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for College Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Transformations

Which of the following represents a vertical shift up 5 units of f(x)?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Which of the following represents a vertical shift up 5 units of f(x)?

A vertical translation can be accomplished by adding the desired amount onto the end of the equation. This means that f(x)+5 will shift f(x) up 5 units.

Example Question #2 : Transformations

Which of the following represents a horizontal transformation of v(t) 3 units to the right?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Which of the following represents a horizontal transformation of v(t) 3 units to the right?

To perform a horizontal transformation on a function, we need to add or subtract a value within the function, which looks something like this:

Now, counter intuitively, when we shift right, we will subtract. If we wanted to shift left, we would add.

So, to shift 3 to the right, we need:

Example Question #3 : Transformations

The graph of a function  is shown below, select the graph of 

Problem 8 correct

Possible Answers:

Problem 6 correct transformation

Problem 8 transformation wrong 4

Problem 8 transformation wrong 1

Problem 8 transformation wrong 2

Correct answer:

Problem 6 correct transformation

Explanation:

There are four fundamental transformations that allows us to think of a function  as a transformation of a function 

 

In our case,  and , so the width and/or height of our function will not change in the coordinate plane. 

 

We have  and . The number  will shift the function up  units along the -axis on the coordinate plane. The number  will shift  unit to the right on the coordinate plane. 

 

Problem 6 correct transformation

Example Question #4 : Transformations

Which of these parabolas has its vertex at (5,1)?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The correct answer is . Inside the portion being squared the distance moved is opposite the sign and is horizontal. Outside the squared portion the distance moved follows the sign (plus is up and minus is down) and is vertical.

For example the incorrect answer  would have its vertex at (1,-5).

Example Question #4 : Transformations

What is the expression for this polynomial:

after being shifted to the right by 2?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To shift a polynomial  to the right by 2, we must replace x with x-2 in whatever the expression for the polynomial is. The logic of this is that every x value has a y value associated with it, and we want to give every x value the y value associated with the point that is 2 before it.

So, to get our shifted polynomial, we plug in x-2 as noted.

and then we combine like terms:

Example Question #6 : Transformations

Consider an exponential function . If we want to reflect this function across the y-axis, which of the following equations would result in the desired reflection?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

As a general rule, if you have a function , then in order to reflect across the x-axis, we compute , and in order to reflect across the y-axis, we compute . In our case, we are asked to compute the latter.

So, if , then .

Example Question #5 : Transformations

If we want a function  to be reflected about the origin, what would the corresponding equation look like?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To compute a reflection about the x-axis, calculate , and to calculate a reflection about the y-axis, calculate . To compute a reflection about the origin, simply combine both reflections into .

In our case, .

So, 

Example Question #5 : Transformations

Give the equation of the horizontal asymptote of the graph of the equation 

.

Possible Answers:

The graph of  does not have a horizontal asymptote.

Correct answer:

The graph of  does not have a horizontal asymptote.

Explanation:

Let . In terms of ,

, being a logarithmic function, has a graph without a horizontal asymptote. As  represents the result of transformations of , it follows that its graph does not have a horizontal asymptote, either.

Example Question #61 : Graphs

Give the equation of the vertical asymptote of the graph of the equation 

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let . In terms of ,

The graph of  has as its vertical asymptote the line of the equation . The graph of  is the result of three transformations on the graph of - a right shift of 3 units (  ), a vertical stretch (  ), and a downward shift of 2 units (  ). Of the three transformations, only the right shift affects the position of the vertical asymptote; the asymptote of  also shifts right 3 units, to .

Example Question #4 : Transformations

Define 

and

.

Which two transformations must be performed in the graph of  in order to obtain the graph of ?

Possible Answers:

None of the other choices gives the correct response.

The graph of  must be translated two units right, then reflected about the -axis.

The graph of  must be translated two units left, then reflected about the -axis.

The graph of  must be translated two units right, then reflected about the -axis.

The graph of  must be translated two units left, then reflected about the -axis.

Correct answer:

The graph of  must be translated two units right, then reflected about the -axis.

Explanation:

, so the graph of  is the result of performing the following transformations:

1)  is the result of translating this graph two units right.

2)  is the result of reflecting the new graph about the -axis.

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