Transforming

graphs: y = f(x) + a

Maths

Uni Transformations of graphs

t
Outcome

I can recognise the effect of applying the

transformation y = f(x) + a to a graph.
Keywords

A function is a mathematical relationship that uniquely

maps values of one set to the values of another set.

A transformation is a process that may change the size,

orientation or position of a shape or graph.
Lesson outline

Transforming graphs: y = f(x) + a

Exploring y = f(x) + a

Sketching y = f(x) + a
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We can use the notation f(x) to represent a function.

What does f(x) + 5 mean?

Evaluate the function for a given value of x then add 5.

Whatever function f(x) defines, we can plot it on a graph.

How do you think the graphs of f(x) and f(x) + 5 will look different?

What about the graphs of f(x) + 4 and f(x) + 3 ?

We can graph the family of functions f(x) + a , and explore how

they are related to each other.
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

A function f(x) has been defined.

Click the link below to explore what happens when different
values of a are added to the function.
Exploring the graph f(x) + a🖇Drag the slider and describe what you
notice.
The graph is moving left to
right.
I think its moving up and Who is correct?
Laura
down.

Andeep It looks like it’s moving diagonally to me.

Lucas
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We can clearly see that adding a constant is translating the graph.

To see the exact movement we can look at the effect on a point.
Click on the new link, can you describe the impact of adding a constant
to a function now? Exploring the translation f(x) + a 🖇

Andeep was correct, adding a constant to the function moves the

graph up or down (depending if the constant is positive or negative).

How could we describe this better using mathematical language?

Adding a constant ‘a’ translates the graph by a in the y

direction.
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

When we manipulate a function f(x) by performing an operation e.g.

5f(x), f(x) + 5, f(x + 5), f(5x), the graph of f(x) is transformed to give the
new graph.

Different manipulations have different effects on the graph.

When a constant is added to the entire function e.g. f(x) + a the graph
is translated by a in the y direction.

It does not matter what the function is.

Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

f(x) = 3x f(x) + 5= 3x + 5 f(x) = x2 f(x) − 2 = x2 − 2

Here the graph has Here the graph has

been translated 5 units been translated 2 units
in the positive y in the negative y
direction. direction.
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Check

f(x) + a transforms the graph f(x) by a …

a
translation of a in the x direction.

b
translation of a in the y direction.

c
translation of −a in the x direction.

d
translation of −a in y direction.
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

Knowing that f(x) + a transforms the graph f(x) by a translation of

a in the y direction allows us to draw graphs of transformations.

Here is the graph of the function f(x) = sin(x).

What would f(x) + 1 look like?

The graph has been translated 1 unit in the

positive y direction.

We have added 1 to the function so the new

graph is of the function sin(x) + 1.
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We do not need to know what the function is, we can apply this
graph transformation to any function.

Here is the graph of a function g(x).

What would g(x) − 3 look like?

Every point will be translated 3 units in the

negative y direction.
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Check

The graph of f(x) is shown Which of these is the

graph of f(x) − 2 ?

a b c d
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We can use our knowledge of graph transformations to identify

the new coordinates of a point on a graph after a
transformation.
The point (90, 1) is on y = sin(x). What will be the coordinates of
the new point when this graph is transformed to y = sin(x) + 10 ?

We’re adding I think we add I think we add

10 so it will
10 to x so it will 10 to y so it will
be (100, 11).
be (100, 1). be (90, 11).

Who is correct?
Laura Andeep Lucas
Exploring y = f(x) + a
Explanation

f(x) + 10 ✖ It is a translation of 10 units in

the positive y direction.
The x coordinate will remain
the same but the y coordinate
will be 10 larger.

✖ (90, 1) will become (90, 11)

Exploring y = f(x) + a
Check

If the point with coordinates (2, 5) is on the graph y = f(x) which

of these must be on the graph of y = f(x) + 2 ?
a (2, 3)

b (2, 7)

c (4, 5)

d (4, 7)
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Practice

1) a) Here is the graph y = f(x) 2) a) Here is the graph y = g(x)

Draw the graph y = f(x) + 3 on Draw the graph y = g(x) − 5 on
the same axes. the same axes.

b) Describe the transformation b) Describe the

from f(x) to f(x) + 3 transformation from g(x) to
g(x) − 5
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

1) a) Here is the graph y = f(x) 2) a) Here is the graph y = g(x)

Draw the graph y = f(x) + 3 on Draw the graph y = g(x) − 5 on
the same axes. the same axes.

The graph has The graph has

been translated been translated
✖ ✖ 5 units in the
3 units in the
positive y negative y
✖ ✖ direction.
direction. ✖
b) Describe the transformation b) Describe the
from f(x) to f(x) + 3 transformation from g(x) to
g(x) − 5
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Practice

3) a) Here is the graph y = h(x) 4) a) Here is the graph y = p(x)

Draw the graph y = h(x) + 2 on Draw the graph y = p(x) − 2 on
the same axes. the same axes.

b) Describe the transformation b) Describe the

from h(x) to h(x) + 2 transformation from p(x) to
p(x) − 2
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

3) a) Here is the graph y = h(x) 4) a) Here is the graph y = p(x)

Draw the graph y = h(x) + 2 on the Draw the graph y = p(x) − 2 on
same axes. the same axes.

✖ The graph has

✖ ✖
The graph has been
been translated translated 2
✖ ✖ 2 units in the units in the
positive y negative y
direction. direction.
b) Describe the transformation b) Describe the
from h(x) to h(x) + 2 transformation from p(x) to
p(x) − 2
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Practice

5) Here are the graphs y = f(x) 6) Here is the graph with equation y =
and y = f(x) + a g(x)
What is the value of a? Give the coordinates of 3 points on the
f(x) + a graph y = g(x) + 4
g(x)

f(x)
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

5) Here are the graphs y = f(x) 6) Here is the graph with equation y =
and y = f(x) + a g(x)
What is the value of a? Give the coordinates of 3 points on the
f(x) + a graph y = g(x) + 4
a=3 g(x) Integer
(2, coordinates
(8,
4)✖ ✖ on y = g(x) +
(1, ✖ 4)
(7, 4:
3) ✖ (0, 4) (1, 7)
(4, 1) ✖
(0, (2, 8) (4, 6)
✖ 2) ✖
0) (6, 4) (7, 5)
f(x) (6, 0) (8, 8)
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Practice

7) The graph with equation 8) y = h(x) is drawn below. What would

y = cos(x) is shown. be the new coordinates of the 4
marked points when the graph is
Draw the graph y = cos(x) − 1
transformed to the graph of y = h(x) −
2?
✖ C(1,
B(0, 3) 4)
✖

A(−1, ✖ ✖D(3,
0) 0)
Task A Exploring y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

7) The graph with equation 8) y = h(x) is drawn below. What would

y = cos(x) is shown. be the new coordinates of the 4
marked points when the graph is
Draw the graph y = cos(x) − 1
transformed to the graph of y = h(x) −
2?
A(−1, −2)
✖ C(1,
B(0, 3) 4) B(0, 1)
✖
C(1, 2)
A(−1, ✖ ✖D(3, D(3, −2)
0) 0)
Lesson outline

Transforming graphs: y = f(x) + a

Exploring y = f(x) + a

Sketching y = f(x) + a
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We have discovered that f(x) + a transforms the graph

of f(x) by a translation of a in the y direction. ✖

Let’s have a look at why this happens. ✖✖

x 0 1 2 3 4 ✖✖
f(x) = 2x + 1
f(x) 1 3 5 7 9 ✖✖

✖✖
The function f(x) + 2 means we evaluate
f(x) then add 2 x 0 1 2 3 4 ✖
to each output f(x) + 2 3 5 7 9 11
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We have discovered that f(x) + a transforms the graph

of f(x) by a translation of a in the y direction. ✖

✖✖
f(x) = 2x + 1
We have kept the inputs the same but each ✖✖
output has increased by 2. ✖✖
This is why the y coordinate of each point ✖✖
increases by 2.
✖
What will be the equation of the new
graph?
f(x) + 2 = (2x + 1) + 2 y = 2x + 3
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Explanation

We can sketch a graph transformation using key

features of a graph.
Constant is 0
E.g. sketch the graph of the function f(x) = x2 −
4x
First we should identify the y intercept.

The y intercept has an x coordinate of 0.

y = x2 − 4x (0,0)
✖
y = (0)2 − 4(0)
y=0
(0, 0)
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Explanation

E.g. sketch the graph of the function f(x) = x2 −

4x
We should also find the x intercepts or ‘roots’ of the graph.

The x intercepts have y coordinates of

0.
0 = x2 − 4x
We can now factorise and solve this
quadratic equation.
(0,0) (4,0)
(0, 0) ✖ ✖
0 = x(x − 4) We already
have this point.
x = 0 or x = 4 (4, 0)
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Explanation

E.g. sketch the graph of the function f(x) = x2 −

4xis also useful to identify any turning points.
It

To do that we can ‘complete the

square’.
x2 − 4x x2 − 4x + 4
(x − 2)2 − 4
Squaring always produces a value ≥ 0
The smallest value of this function is 02 − 4 = (0,0) ✖ ✖
(4,0)
−4
This output is found when the input is 2.
Turning point (2, −4) ((2) − 2)2 − 4 =
✖
−4 (2,−4
)
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Explanation

E.g. sketch the graph of the function f(x) = x2 −

4x coefficient of x2 is positive so this is a positive parabola.
The
We can also see this from the fact that our turning point is a
minimum value.
✖ ✖
What would the graph of the function (0,5) (4,5)
f(x) + 5 look like?
(2,1
To sketch it we just need to add 5 to (0,0) ) ✖ (4,0)
✖ ✖
the y coordinate of each point.
What would the equation of the new
graph be? ✖
y = x2 − 4x + 5 (2,−4
)
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Check

What is the y intercept of the graph with equation y = f(x)

when f(x) = x2 + 6x + 5 ?
The y intercept has an x coordinate
a (0, 5) of 0 x = 0
y = (0)2 − 4(0) + 5
b (0, 6) y=5
(0, 5)
c (5, 0)

d (6, 0)
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Check

Fill in the gaps to work out the roots of the graph with
equation y = f(x) when f(x) = x2 + 6x + 5

The roots can be found when y = 0

0 = x2 + 6x + 5

0 = (x + 1)(x + 5)

x = −1 x = −5
Roots: (−1, 0) (−5, 0)
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Check

Fill in the gaps to work out the turning point of the graph
with equation y = f(x) when f(x) = x2 + 6x + 5

x2 + 6x + 5 ≡ (x + 3 )2 − 4
As (x + 3)2 ≥ 0 the minimum value of this function is −4

This output occurs when x = −3

Coordinates of minimum (−3, −4)

point:
Sketching y = f(x) + a
Check

f(x) = x2 + 6x + 5 Using the information below, label this sketch

of y = f(x) + 2

y intercept for y = f(x) ✖ (0, 7)

(0, 5)

Roots of y = f(x) (−5, 2) ✖ ✖ (−1, 2)

(−1, 0) (−5, 0)
✖
Turning point of y = f(x) (−3,
−2)
(−3, −4)
Task B Sketching y = f(x) + a
Practice

1) a) Draw the graph of f(x) = 4x − 2

b) Draw the graph of y = f(x) + 6

c) Draw the graph of y = f(x) − 4

d) What are the equations of your

transformed graphs in the form y =
mx+c ?
Task B Sketching y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

1) a) Draw the graph of f(x) = 4x − 2 f(x) + 6 f(x)

b) Draw the graph of y = f(x) + 6

f(x) − 4

c) Draw the graph of y = f(x) − 4

d) What are the equations of your

transformed graphs in the form y =
mx+c ?
f(x) + 6 = 4x + 4 f(x) − 4 = 4x − 6
Task B Sketching y = f(x) + a
Practice

2) a) Sketch the graph of f(x) = x2 − 8x − 9

y intercept (0, )
x2 − 8x − 9 ≡ (x + 1)(x − 9)
Roots: ( , 0) and ( , 0)
x2 − 8x − 9 ≡ (x − 4)2 − 25

Turning point: ( , )
b) Sketch the graph of y = f(x) − 6 .
Label the new coordinates of any
key features of the original graph.
Task B Sketching y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

2) a) Sketch the graph of f(x) = x2 − 8x − 9

y intercept (0, − 9)
x2 − 8x − 9 ≡ (x + 1)(x − 9)
Roots: (−1, 0) and (9, 0) (−1, 0) (9, 0)
✖ ✖
x2 − 8x − 9 ≡ (x − 4)2 − 25 ✖✖(0, −9) ✖
(−1, −6) (9, −6)
Turning point: (4, −25) ✖ (4, −25)
(0, −15) ✖
b) Sketch the graph of y = f(x) − 6 .
Label the new coordinates of any ✖
key features of the original graph. (4, −31)
Task B Sketching y = f(x) + a
Practice

3) a) Sketch the graph of f(x) = x2 + 2x −

15

b) Sketch the graph of y = f(x) + 5.

Label the new coordinates of any key
features of the original graph.

c) What is the equation of your new

graph in the form y = ax2 + bx + c ?
Task B Sketching y = f(x) + a
Feedbac
k

3) a) Sketch the graph of f(x) = x2 + 2x − 15

x2 + 2x − 15 ≡ (x + 5)(x − 3)
(−5, 5) (3, 5)
x2 + 2x − 15 ≡ (x + 1)2 − 16 ✖ ✖

b) Sketch the graph of y = f(x) + 5. (−5, 0) (3, 0)

✖ ✖
Label the new coordinates of any key (0, −10)
features of the original graph.
✖✖
c) What is the equation of your new (−1, −11)
graph in the form y = ax2 + bx + c ? ✖ ✖(0, −15)
(−1, −16)
f(x) + 5 = x2 + 2x − 10
Summar
y Transforming graphs: y = f(x) + a

When we manipulate a function f(x) by performing an operation, the

graph of f(x) is transformed to give the new graph.
Using graphing software can be an effective way to explore
transformations of graphs.
f(x) + a transforms the graph of f(x) by a translation of a in the y
direction.
When sketching a graph, key features need to be labelled. We can
then work out coordinates on the graph after a transformation.
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