Horizontal Translation
Shown below is the graph of the function f(x) = x2. Graph the functions u(x) = (x - 3)2 and then
v(x) = (x + 5)2 by typing their equations in the Input bar.
Questions to think about
1.) What are your observations about the graphs of f, u, and v?
2.) How does adding a number to the input of a function affect its graph?
3.) How does subtracting a number from the input of a function affect its graph?
4.) What conjectures can you make based on your answers above?
TIP
Since f(x) = x2, another way to graph u(x) = (x - 3)2 is to type u(x) = f(x - 3).