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Translations of Graphs (DP IB Maths: AI HL)
Revision Note
Translations of Graphs
What are translations of graphs?
- When you alter a function in certain ways, the effects on the graph of the function can be described by geometrical transformations
- For a translation:
- the graph is moved (up or down, left or right) in the xy plane
- Its position changes
- the shape, size, and orientation of the graph remain unchanged
- the graph is moved (up or down, left or right) in the xy plane
- A particular translation (how far left/right, how far up/down) is specified by a translation vector :
- x is the horizontal displacement
- Positive moves right
- Negative moves left
- y is the vertical displacement
- Positive moves up
- Negative moves down
- x is the horizontal displacement
What effects do horizontal translations have on the graphs and functions?
- A horizontal translation of the graph by the vector is represented by
- The x-coordinates change
- The value a is subtracted from them
- The y-coordinates stay the same
- The coordinates become
- Horizontal asymptotes stay the same
- Vertical asymptotes change
- becomes
What effects do vertical translations have on the graphs and functions?
- A vertical translation of the graph by the vector is represented by
- This is often rearranged to
- The x-coordinates stay the same
- The y-coordinates change
- The value b is added to them
- The coordinates become
- Horizontal asymptotes change
- becomes
- Vertical asymptotes stay the same
Examiner Tip
- To get full marks in an exam make sure you use correct mathematical terminology
- For example: Translate by the vector
Worked example
The diagram below shows the graph of .
a)
Sketch the graph of .
b)
Sketch the graph of .
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