MCR3U Horizontal and Vertical Translations of Functions

Part A: Vertical Translations

Note: This activity is to be completed using the TI-83+ graphing calculator.

1. Reset the calculator by pressing the following keys: 2nd, +, 7:Reset, 2:Defaults, 2:Reset

2. In the function editor Y=, set the following: Y1 = x2 , Y2 = Y1 + 3, Y3 = Y1 – 3. You can choose
the Y1 character by pressing the following keys: Vars, Y-Vars, 1: Function, 1: Y1

3. What are the actual equations for Y2 and Y3 in terms of x?

Y2 = _____________ Y3 = _______________

4. What effect does adding/subtracting a constant to the function Y1 have?

______________________________________________________________________________________

5. Given the graph of the function f (x) below, draw the graphs of f (x) + 3 and f (x) – 3 on the same
set of axes below using a different color pen:

The original function f (x) in the question above is the function f (x) = √x. Verify your work in the
previous question by changing Y1 to Y1 = √x.

6. Does the shape of the curve change shape as a result of these transformations? Why or why not?

______________________________________________________________________________________

7. Below, comment on the graphs of the functions f (x) and f (x) + k where k is a constant – that is,
write a concluding general statement.
Part B: Horizontal Translations

Note: This activity is to be completed using the TI-83+ graphing calculator.

8. In the function editor Y=, set the following: Y1 = x2, Y2 = Y1(x - 3), Y3 = Y1(x + 3). You can
choose the Y1 character by pressing the following keys: Vars, Y-Vars 1: Function, 1: Y1

9. What are the actual equations for Y2 and Y3 in terms of x?

Y2 = _____________ Y3 = _______________

10. What effect does adding/subtracting a constant to x have?

______________________________________________________________________________________

11. Given the graph of the function f (x) below, draw the graphs of f (x - 3) and f (x + 3) on the same
set of axes below using a different color pen:

The original function f (x) in the question above is the function f (x) = 1/x. Verify your work in the

previous question by changing Y1 to Y1 = 1/x .

12. Does the shape of the curve change shape as a result of these transformations? Why or why not?

13. Below, comment on the graphs of the functions f (x) and f (x - h) + h where h is a constant – that
is, write a concluding general statement.
Part C: Combining Translations

Horizontal and vertical translations can be combined so that a function can be moved anywhere in the xy
plane.

14. In the function editor Y=, set the following: Y1 = x2, Y2 = Y1(x - 1), Y3 = Y2 + 2. You can
choose the Y1 character by pressing the following keys: Vars, Y-Vars 1: Function, 1: Y1.

15. What are the actual equations for Y2 and Y3 in terms of x?

Y2 = _____________ Y3 = _______________

16. How are the graphs of functions Y1, Y2 and Y3 related?

17. Sketch the graphs of Y1, Y2 and Y3 below. Make sure to label the curves with the appropriate
equations in terms of x.

1
18. Starting with the graph of f ( x) =, describe how you would sketch each of
x
1 1 1
f ( x ) = + 2, f ( x ) = , f ( x) = + 2.
x x−3 x−3
19. Without using a graphing calculator, sketch and properly label each of the functions in the
previous question.