What is a Horizontal Translation?
Horizontally translating a graph is equivalent to shifting the base graph left or right in the direction of the x-axis. A graph is translated k units horizontally by moving each point on the graph k units horizontally.
Definition
For the base function f (x) and a constant k, the function given by
g(x) = f (x - k),
can be sketched by shifting f (x) k units horizontally. |
The value of k determines the direction of the shift. Specifically,
if k > 0, the base graph shifts k units to the right, and
if k < 0, the base graph shifts k units to the left. |
Examples of Horizontal Translations
Consider the following base functions,
(1) f (x) = 2x2,
(2) g(x) = 5√x.
The graphical representation of function (1), f (x), is a parabola. What do you suppose the graph of
y1(x) = f (x -3)
looks like? Using the definition of f (x), we can write y1(x) as,
y1 (x) = f (x-3) = 2(x -3)2 = 2(x2 - 6x + 9) = 2x2 -12x + 18.
However, this expansion is not necessary if you understand graphical transformations. Based on the definition of horizontal shift, the graph of y1 (x) should look like the graph of f (x), shifted 3 units to the right. Take a look at the graphs of f (x) and y1(x).
Function (2), g (x), is a square root function. What would the graph of
y2(x) = g (x + 2)
look like? Using our knowledge of horizontal shifts, the graph of y2 (x)should look like the base graph g (x) shifted 2 units to the left. We can write y2(x) as,
Take a look at the graphs of g(x) and y2(x).
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In the next section, we will explore vertical stretches and shrinks.
Vertical Stretches and Shrinks |