A function is a rule that maps a single number to another single number

Functions can be written in different ways

y = 2x + 3
2x + 3
f(x)
2x + 3
f : x

Using the function f (x) x2 ,

one number input gives one number output
However, the function f (x) x
one input number gives 2 outputs and is
therefore not a function
When plotting on axes the vertical axis is labelled f (x) or f : x not y

Determine which of these mappings are functions:

f(x) 2x - 3

FUNCTION

NOT A FUNCTION

f(x) 1

FUNCTION

NOT A FUNCTION

FUNCTION

NOT A FUNCTION

FUNCTION

NOT A FUNCTION

x-1
f(x)

f(x) x2 + 3

f(x) the greatest integer less than or equal to x

FUNCTION
NOT A FUNCTION
f(x) the height of a triangle whose height is x
NOT A FUNCTION
FUNCTION
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Correct

Return

WRONG!!!
Return

Translating Functions
Principles
If y = x is the function f(x) x
Then f(x) + 3
is the function f(x) x + 3

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
4
y=x+3
5
6
y=x
7
-

7
6
5
4
3
2
1

7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
f( x) + 3
4
5
6
f( x)
7
-

We have seen from the equations of

straight lines that from the general
equation y = mx + c, the integer c has an effect
on where a straight line crosses the y axis

f(x)

So the adding or subtracting of an integer

translates the graph up or down

7
6
5
4
3
2
1

f(x) + 3

7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
4
This is the same for any function
This can also be
5
6
described
7
-

as a translation

7
6
5
4
3
2
1

7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
4
5
6
0
7

Translating Functions
Principles
There are other translations that can be performed on graphs:
y = x2
The equation (x 2)2 = 0 has root x = 2
Compare the equation y = (x 2)2
with the graph y = x2

This can also be

described
as a translation

2

0

y = (x-2)2

So to summarise these two translations:

The graph of y = f (x) + a is the graph of y = f(x) translated by

The graph of y = f (x - a) is the graph of y = f(x) translated by

0

a
a

0

Stretching Functions
We will use the sine wave as an example y = sinx
Now see what happens when we double the function y =2 x sinx

or more precisely written y =2sinx

The graph is stretched to twice its size in the x direction

Now see what happens when we double the x value before finding the sine
The graph is squashed to half its size in the y direction

y =sin (2 x x)
or more precisely written y =sin2x

2.500
2.000
1.500
1.000
0.500

-0.500
-1.000
-1.500
-2.000
-2.500

-30
0
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0.000

Summary
Graph

y f ( x) a
y f ( x a)
y f ( x a)

Description
Translation 0

Translation a

Translation a

y af (x)

Stretch by a scale factor a parallel to the y axis

y f (ax)

Stretched by scale factor

y f (x)

Reflection in the x axis of y f (x)

y f ( x)

Reflection in the y axis of y f (x )

1
parallel to the x axis
a