
# 1.3: Shifting and Reflecting

### 1. Six Basic Functions

Below are six basic functions:

1.
2.

3. Memorize the shapes of these functions.

### 2. Horizontal Shifting

Consider the graphs

$$y =$$

• $$(x+0)^2$$
• $$(x+1)^2$$
• $$(x+2)^2$$
• $$(x+3)^2$$

Exercise

Use the list features of a calculator to sketch the graph of

$$y = \dfrac{1}{ [x - \{0,1,2,3\}] }$$

Horizontal Shifting Rules

• Rule 1:  $$f(x - a) = f(x)$$ shifted $$a$$ units to the right.
• Rule 2:  $$f(x + a) = f(x)$$ shifted $$a$$ units to the left.

### 3. Vertical Shifting

Consider the graphs

$$y =$$

• $$x^3$$
• $$x^3+ 1$$
• $$x^3 + 2$$
• $$x^3 + 3$$

Exercise

Use the list features of a calculator to sketch the graph of

$$y = x^3 - \{0,1,2,3\}$$

Vertical Shifting Rules

• Rule 3:  $$f(x ) + a = f(x)$$ shifted a units up.
• Rule 4:  $$f(x) - a = f(x)$$ shifted a units down.

### 4. Reflecting About the x-axis

Consider the graphs of

$$y = x^2$$ and $$y = -x^2$$.

x-Axis Reflection Rule

Rule 5:  $$-f(x) = f(x)$$  reflected about the x-axis.

### 5. Reflecting About the y-axis.

Exercise

Use the calculator to graph

$$y=\sqrt{x}$$

and
$$y=\sqrt{-x}$$

y-Axis Reflection Rule

Rule 6:  $$f(-x ) = f(x)$$ reflected about the y-axis.

### 6. Stretching and Compressing

Exercise

Graph the following:

$$y = \{1,2,3,4\}x^3$$

$$y = {1/2,1/3,1/4,1/5}x^3$$

Stretching and Compression rules:

• Rule 7:  $$cf(x ) = f(x)$$ (for $$c > 1$$) stretched vertically.
• Rule 8:  $$cf(x ) = f(x)$$ (for $$c < 1$$) compressed vertically.

Exercise

Graph the following

1. $$y = x^2 - 10$$
2. $$y = \sqrt{x - 2}$$
3. $$y = -|x - 5| + 3$$

We will do some examples (including the graph of the winnings for the gambler and for the casino).

### 7. Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Definition

A function is called increasing if as an object moves from left to right, it is moving upwards along the graph. Or equivalently,

If $$x < y$$, then $$f(x) < f(y)$$.

Example 1

The curve

$y = x^2$

is increasing on $$(0,\infty)$$ and decreasing on $$(-\infty,0)$$.

### Contributors

• Integrated by Justin Marshall.