Interpret a transformed graph
Use exact coordinate changes to map a stable graph feature and then check another point. The graph, rule and coordinate map should all describe the same image
- Map the horizontal coordinate Use the horizontal part of the coordinate map on the selected point or graph feature \(\displaystyle x'=s_xx+h_x\)
- Map the vertical coordinate Use the vertical part of the coordinate map separately from the horizontal part \(\displaystyle y'=s_yy+h_y\)
- Use a stable graph feature For a quadratic, the vertex gives a central point that can be mapped exactly \(\displaystyle y=a(x-h)^{2}+k\Rightarrow V=(h,k)\mapsto(s_xh+h_x,s_yk+h_y)\)
- Check a second point A second mapped point tests that the proposed transformation agrees with both the graph and the rule \(\displaystyle P=(x,y)\mapsto P'=(x',y'),\quad g(x')=y'\)
Worked example
Find the image vertex and image rule under the stated map
- \(\displaystyle V=(2,4),\quad V'=(2-1,-4)=(1,-4)\)Map the vertex with the horizontal equation and then the vertical equation
- \(\displaystyle P=(3,3),\quad P'=(3-1,-3)=(2,-3)\)A second point maps consistently and provides a check on the graph transformation
- \(\displaystyle x'=x-1\Rightarrow x=x'+1,\quad y'=-y\Rightarrow y=-y'\)Solve the coordinate equations for the reference coordinates before forming the image rule
- \(\displaystyle g(x)=-f(x+1)=-\left(-(x-1)^{2}+4\right)=(x-1)^{2}-4\)Substitute the recovered input into the reference rule and apply the vertical reflection
Common mistakes
Difficulty levels
Questions about this topic
Why is a vertex useful when interpreting a transformed quadratic graph?+
The vertex is a stable central feature with exact coordinates, so mapping it gives a direct comparison between the reference and image graphs
What is an invariant point?+
It is a point whose image is the same point after the transformation. The origin is invariant only when the stated map leaves both coordinates unchanged
Why should a second point be checked?+
A second point tests whether the coordinate map and proposed image rule agree beyond one selected feature
Can I use a calculator?+
No. This topic is practised without a calculator
Which year level and chapter is this?+
Year 11, VCE Units 1 & 2, Mathematical Methods, chapter 7: Matrices and plane transformations