1.
5 Graphing Quadratic Functions
by Using Transformations
GOAL
Use transformations to sketch the graphs of quadratic functions.
LEARN ABOUT the Math
This photograph shows the interior of BCE Place in Toronto.
Architects design structures that involve the quadratic model because it
combines strength with elegance.
You have seen how changing the values of a, h, and k changes the
shape and position of the graph of f (x) in functions of the form
f (x) 5 x 2 1 k, f (x) 5 (x 2 h) 2, and f (x) 5 ax 2. This information
can be used together with the properties of the quadratic function
f (x) 5 x 2 to sketch the graph of the transformed function.
? How do you use transformations and the properties of the
quadratic function f(x) 5 x 2 to graph the function
g(x) 5 (x 1 2)2 2 4?
EXAMPLE 1 Graphing quadratic functions by using a transformed function
the resulting function when the
transformation strategy: translating
shape and/or position of the
original graph of f(x) are
Use transformations to sketch the graph of g(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 2 4. changed
Dave’s Solution
g(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 2 4 I expressed the relation in the form
g(x) 5 (x 2 (22) ) 2 4
2 g(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k.
a 5 1, h 5 22, k 5 24 The values of h and k show that I
must apply a horizontal and a
vertical translation to the graph of translation
f(x) 5 x 2 by moving each point on two types of translations can be
this graph 2 units to the left and applied to the graph of a
4 units down. function:
• Horizontal translations—all
points on the graph move
to the right when h . 0
and to the left when h , 0
• Vertical translations—all
points on the graph move
up when k . 0 and down
when k , 0
NEL Introduction to the Quadratic Function 41
1 h(x) = (x + 2)2
y 1 I subtracted 2 from the
key points x-coordinates of the key points.
8
points of any function that The base curve f(x) 5 x 2 (in
define its general shape 6 green) moved 2 units to the
left. The resulting graph is
4 f(x) = x2 h(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 (in red).
Key Points of f(x) 5 x 2
2 2 I subtracted 4 from the
x f(x) 5 x 2 x
y-coordinates of the key points
23 9 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 of h(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2. Each point
2
22 4 of the curve h(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2
2 4 moves down 4 units. The
21 1 g(x) = (x + 2)2 4 resulting graph is
6
0 0 g(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 2 4 (in black).
1 1
2 4
The vertex changed from (0, 0) to
(22, 24).
3 9
The axis of symmetry changed from
x 5 0 to x 5 22.
The shape of the graph did not change.
Reflecting
A. Consider Dave’s solution. Given three points O(0, 0), A(22, 4), and
B(1, 1) on the graph of f (x) 5 x 2, what would the coordinates of the
corresponding images of the points on f (x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 2 4 be if
they were labelled Or, Ar, and Br?
B. Dave translated the graph of f (x) 5 x 2 to the left 2 units and then
4 units down. Had he translated the graph 4 units down and then
2 units to the left, would the resulting graph be the same? Explain.
C. If the graph of f (x) 5 x 2 is only translated up/down and left/right,
will the resulting graph always be congruent to the original graph?
Explain.
42 Chapter 1 NEL
1.5
APPLY the Math
EXAMPLE 2 Graphing quadratic functions by using a
transformation strategy: stretching vertically
Use transformations to sketch the graph of h(x) 5 2(x 2 4) 2.
Amanda’s Solution
h(x) 5 2(x 2 4) 2 h(x) is in the form
h(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k.
a 5 2, h 5 4, and k 5 0.
No vertical translation is required,
because k 5 0.
2 h(x) = 2(x 4)2 1 Since h . 0, I added 4 to the
y x-coordinates of the key
points of the graph
10
f(x) 5 x2 (in green). This
8 moved the graph 4 units to
the right. The resulting graph
6
is g(x) 5 (x 2 4) 2 (in red).
f(x) = x2 4
2 I multiplied the y-coordinates
2 of the key points of
x g(x) 5 (x 2 4) 2 by 2
6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 because a 5 2. This resulted
2 in a vertical stretch and vertical stretch
1 g(x) = (x 4)2
4 gave me the graph of when a . 1, the graph of the
h(x) 5 2(x 2 4) 2 (in black). function f(x) is stretched
vertically
The vertex changed from (0, 0) to (4, 0).
The axis of symmetry changed from x 5 0
to x 5 4.
The shape of the parabola also changed—it’s
narrower than f (x) 5 x 2.
NEL Introduction to the Quadratic Function 43
EXAMPLE 3 Graphing quadratic functions by using
transformation strategies: reflecting
and compressing vertically
Use transformations to sketch the graph of g(x) 5 20.5(x 1 2) 2.
Chantelle’s Solution
g(x) 5 20.5(x 1 2) 2 I wrote g(x) in the form
g(x) 5 20.5(x 2 (22) ) 1 0 2 g(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k.
No vertical translation is
a 5 20.5, h 5 22, and k 5 0. required because k 5 0.
1 h(x) = (x + 2)2 1 I subtracted 2 from each
y of the x-coordinates of the
key points. The graph of
8
f(x) 5 x 2 (in green)
6 moved 2 units to the
left, since h , 0. This
4
f(x) = x2 resulted in the graph of
2 2 h(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 (in red).
p(x) = 0.5(x + 2)2 x
2 I multiplied the
8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 y-coordinates of the key
2 3
g(x) = 0.5(x + 2)2 points of h(x) 5 (x 1 2) 2
4 by 0.5 to get the graph of
6 p(x) 5 0.5(x 1 2) 2.
This resulted in a
vertical compression 8 vertical compression and
when 0 , a , 1, the graph gave me the graph of
is compressed vertically p(x) 5 0.5(x 1 2) 2
(in blue).
The vertex changed from (0, 0) to (22, 0). 3 Since a is also negative,
The axis of symmetry changed from x 5 0 I reflected the graph of
to x 5 22. p(x) 5 0.5(x 1 2) 2 in the
x-axis to get the graph
The shape of the parabola also changed—it’s g(x) 5 20.5(x 1 2) 2
wider than f (x) 5 x 2. (in black). This resulted in
vertical reflection The parabola opens downward. a vertical reflection.
when a , 0, the graph is
reflected in the x-axis
44 Chapter 1 NEL
1.5
EXAMPLE 4 Graphing quadratic functions by using
transformation strategies
1
Use transformations to sketch the graph of m(x) 5 3 x 2 1 2.
Craig’s Solution
1
m(x) 5 x 2 1 2 I wrote m(x) in the form
3 m(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k.
1 No horizontal translation is
m(x) 5 (x 2 0) 2 1 2 required because h 5 0.
3
1
a 5 , h 5 0, and k 5 2.
3
f(x) = x2
y 1 I multiplied the y-coordinates
1
8 of f(x) 5 x2 (in green) by .
3
The graph was vertically
6
compressed by a factor of
4 1 3 and resulted in the graph
2 g(x) = 31 x2 1
of g(x) 5 3 x2 (in red).
m(x) = 31 x2 + 2 2
x
2 Then I moved each point
8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 on g(x) up 2 units. This
2
gave me the graph of
4 1
m(x) 5 3 x2 1 2
(in black).
The vertex changed from (0, 0) to (0, 2).
The axis of symmetry remained at x 5 0.
The shape of the graph also changed—it’s
wider than f (x) 5 x 2.
NEL Introduction to the Quadratic Function 45
In Summary
Key Ideas y
(3, 9) (3, 9)
• Functions of the form g(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k can be graphed by applying f(x) = x 2
transformations, one at a time, to the key points on the graph of f(x) 5 x 2.
• In graphing g(x), the transformations apply to every point on the graph of f(x).
However, to sketch the new graph, you only need to apply the transformations to
(2, 4) (2, 4)
the key points of f(x) 5 x 2.
(1, 1) (1, 1) x
(0, 0)
Need to Know
• For a quadratic function in the form g(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k,
• horizontal translations: The graph moves to the right when h . 0 and to
y
the left when h , 0.
h0
x
h0 h0
y = (x h) 2
• vertical translations: The graph moves up when k . 0 and down when k , 0.
y
k0
k0
x
k0
y = x2 k
• vertical stretches: The graph is stretched vertically when a . 1.
• vertical compressions: The graph is compressed vertically when 0 , a , 1. y ax2, 0 a 1
y ax2, a 1
y
y ax2, a 1
y ax2, 1 a 0
• vertical reflections: The graph is reflected in the x-axis when a , 0.
y
• the axis of symmetry is the line x 5 h. a0
• the vertex is the point (h, k).
y ax2 x
a0
46 Chapter 1 NEL
1.5
CHECK Your Understanding
1. Match each equation with its corresponding graph. Explain how you
made your decision.
a) y 5 2 (x 2 2) 2 2 3 c) y 5 x2 1 5 e) y 5 (x 2 2) 2
1
b) y 5 20.5x 2 2 4 d) y 5 2(x 1 2) 2 f) y 5 2 (x 1 4) 2 1 2
3
i) y iii) y v) y
16 10 10
12 8 8
8 6 6
4 4 4
x
2 2
4 2 0 2 4 x x
4
2 0 2 4 6 6 4 2 0 2
ii) y iv) y x vi) y x
4 4 2 0 2 4 4 2 0 2 4
x 2 2
12 8 4 0 4 4 4
4
6 6
8
8 8
12
10
2. For each function,
i) identify the values of the parameters a, h, and k
ii) identify the transformations
iii) use transformations to graph the function and check that it is
correct with a table of values or a graphing calculator
a) f (x) 5 23x 2
b) f (x) 5 (x 1 3) 2 2 2
c) f (x) 5 (x 2 1) 2 1 1
d) f (x) 5 2x 2 2 2
e) f (x) 5 2 (x 2 2) 2
1
f) f (x) 5 (x 1 3) 2
2
NEL Introduction to the Quadratic Function 47
PRACTISING
3. Match each graph with the correct equation. The graph of y 5 x 2 is
shown in green in each diagram.
a) y 5 x 2 1 5 c) y 5 22x 2 1 5
b) y 5 (x 1 5) 2
d) y 5 2(x 1 5) 2
i) y iii) y
10
8
8
4
6 x
4 4 2 0 2 4
4
2
x 8
6 4 2 0 2 4
ii) y iv) y
16 80
12 60
8 40
4 20
x x
12 8 4 0 4 8 8 4 0 4 8
4
4. Describe the translations applied to the graph of y 5 x 2 to obtain a
K
graph of each quadratic function. Sketch the graph.
a) y 5 (x 2 5) 2 1 3 c) y 5 3x 2 2 4
1
d) y 5 2 (x 1 4)
2
b) y 5 (x 1 1) 2 2 2
3
5. Consider a parabola P that is congruent to y 5 x 2 and with vertex at
(0, 0). Find the equation of a new parabola that results if P is
a) stretched vertically by a factor of 5
b) compressed vertically by a factor of 2
c) translated 2 units to the right and reflected in the x-axis
d) compressed vertically by 3, reflected in the x-axis, and translated
2 units up
6. Consider a parabola P that is congruent to y 5 x 2 and with vertex
(2, 24). Find the equation of a new parabola that results if P is
a) translated 2 units down
b) translated 4 units to the left
c) translated 2 units to the left and translated 3 units up
d) translated 3 units to the right and translate 1 unit down
48 Chapter 1 NEL
1.5
7. Write an equation of a parabola that satisfies each set of conditions.
a) opens upward, congruent to y 5 x 2, and vertex (0, 4)
b) opens upward, congruent to y 5 x 2, and vertex (5, 0)
c) opens downward, congruent to y 5 x 2, and vertex (5, 0)
d) opens upward, narrower than y 5 x 2, and vertex (2, 0)
e) opens downward, wider than y 5 x 2, and vertex (22, 0)
f ) opens upward, wider than y 5 x 2, and vertex (1, 0)
8. Determine the answers to the following questions for each of the given
transformed quadratic functions.
i) How does the shape of the graph compare with the graph of
f (x) 5 x 2?
ii) What are the coordinates of the vertex and the equation of the axis
of symmetry?
iii) Graph the transformed function and f (x) 5 x 2 on the same set
of axes.
iv) Label the points O(0, 0), A(22, 4), and B(1, 1) on the graph
of f (x) 5 x 2. Determine the images of these points on the
transformed function. Label the images Or, Ar, and Br.
a) f (x) 5 2 (x 2 2) 2
1
b) f (x) 5 x 2 1 2
2
c) f (x) 5 (x 1 2) 2 2 2
9. For each of the following, state the equation of a parabola congruent
to y 5 x 2 with the given property.
a) The graph is 2 units to the right of the graph of y 5 x 2.
b) The graph is 4 units to the left of the graph of y 5 x 2.
c) The graph is 4 units to the left and 5 units down from the graph
of y 5 x 2.
d) The graph is vertically compressed by a factor of 4.
e) The graph is vertically stretched by a factor of 2 and is 4 units to
the left of the graph of y 5 x 2.
f ) The graph is vertically stretched by a factor of 3 and is 2 units to
the right and 1 unit down from the graph of y 5 x 2.
10. For each of the following, state the condition on a and k such that the
T
parabola y 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k has the given property.
a) The parabola intersects the x-axis at two distinct points.
b) The parabola intersects the x-axis at one point.
c) The parabola does not intersect the x-axis.
NEL Introduction to the Quadratic Function 49
11. The acceleration due to gravity, g, is 9.8 m/s2 on Earth, 3.7 m/s2 on
A
Mars, 10.5 m/s2 on Saturn, and 11.2 m/s2 on Neptune. The height,
h(t), of an object, in metres, dropped from above each surface is given
by h(t) 5 20.5gt 2 1 k.
a) Describe how the graphs will differ for an object dropped from a
height of 100 m on each of the four planets.
b) On which planet will the object be moving fastest when it hits
the surface?
c) On which planet will it be moving slowest?
12. Describe how the x- and y-coordinates of the given quadratic functions
C
differ from the x- and y-coordinates of corresponding points of y 5 x 2.
a) y 5 (x 1 7) 2 c) y 5 22(x 2 4) 2
1
b) y 5 x 2 1 7 d) y 5 2 x 2 2 4
2
Extending
13. Predict what the graphs of each group of equations would look like.
Check your predictions by using graphing technology.
a) f (x) 5 10x 2 b) f (x) 5 0.1x 2
f (x) 5 100x 2 f (x) 5 0.01x 2
f (x) 5 1000x 2
f (x) 5 0.001x 2
f (x) 5 10000x 2 f (x) 5 0.0001x 2
14. a) If y 5 x 2 is the base curve, write the equations of the parabolas that
produce the following pattern shown on the calculator screen
below. The scale on both axes is 1 unit per tick mark.
b) Create your own pattern using parabolas, and write the associated
equations. Use y 5 x 2 as the base parabola.
50 Chapter 1 NEL
