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The Biology Project > Biomath > Transformations > Reflections

Transformations of Graphs

Reflections

We will discuss two types of reflections: reflections across the x-axis and reflections across the y-axis.

Reflections Across the x-Axis

To visualize a reflection across the x-axis, imagine the graph that would result from folding the base graph along the x-axis. Symbolically, we define reflections across the x-axis as follows:

Definition

For the base function f (x) , the function given by

g(x) = - f (x),

can be sketched by reflecting f (x) across the x-axis.

In other words, all of the portions of the graph above the x-axis will be reflected to the corresponding position below the x-axis, while all of the portions of the graph below the x-axis will be reflected above the x-axis. Of course, x-intercepts will remain unchanged under this type of reflection

Examples of Reflections Across the x-Axis

Consider the following base functions,

(1) f (x) = x2 - 9,

(2) g(x) = | x | + 1 .

The graphical representation of function (1), f (x), is a parabola shifted 9 units down with respect to the base function y = x2. What do you suppose the graph of

y1(x) = -f (x)

looks like? Using the definition of f (x), we can write y1(x) as,

y1(x) = -f (x) = -(x2-9) = -x2 + 9.

Based on the definition of reflection across the x-axis, the graph of y1(x) should look like the graph of f (x), reflected across the x-axis. Take a look at the graphs of f (x) and y1(x).

 

graph

Function (2), g(x), is an absolute value function. What would the graph of

y2(x) = -g(x)

look like? Using our knowledge of reflections across the x-axis, the graph of y2(x) should look like the base graph g(x) reflected across the x-axis. To check this, we can write y2(x) as,

y2(x) = -g(x) = -(|x| + 1) = - |x| -1 ,

construct a table of values, and plot the graph of the new function. As you can see, the graph of y2(x) is in fact the base graph g(x) reflected across the x-axis.

 

graph

 

Reflections Across the y-Axis

You can visualize a reflection across the y-axis by imagining the graph that would result from folding the base graph along the y-axis. Symbolically, we define reflections across the y-axis as follows:

Definition

For the base function f (x) , the function given by

g(x) = f (-x),

can be sketched by reflecting f (x) across the y-axis.

In other words, all of the portions of the graph to the left of the y-axis will be reflected to the corresponding position to the right of the y-axis, while all of the portions of the graph to the right of y-axis will be reflected to the corresponding positions to the left of the y-axis. Of course, y-intercepts will remain unchanged under this type of reflection.

Examples of Reflections Across the y-Axis

Consider the following base functions,

(1) f (x) = (x-1)2 ,

(2) g(x) = x3 - x2 - 4x + 4.

The graphical representation of function (1), f (x), is a parabola shifted 1 unit to the right. What do you suppose the graph of

y1(x) = f (-x)

looks like? Using the definition of f (x), we can write y1(x) as,

y1(x) = f (-x) = (-x -1)2 = x2 + 2x +1 .

Based on the definition of reflection across the y-axis, the graph of y1(x) should look like the graph of f (x), reflected across the y-axis. Take a look at the graphs of f (x) and y1(x).

 

graph

Function (2), g(x), is a cubic function. What would the graph of

y2(x) = g(-x)

look like? Using our knowledge of reflections across the y-axis, the graph of y2(x) should look like the base graph g(x) reflected across the y-axis. To check this, we can write y2(x) as,

y2(x) = g(-x) = (-x)3 - (-x)2 -4(-x) + 4 = -x3 + x2 + 4x + 4,

construct a table of values, and plot the graph of the new function. As you can see, the graph of y2(x) is in fact the base graph g(x) reflected across the y-axis.

 

graph

 

 

*****

Now try some problems that test your knowledge of graphical transformations

Problems

The Biology Project > Biomath > Transformations > Reflections


The Biology Project
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
The University of Arizona

January 2006
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