Calc Using Horizontal and Vertical Stretches Page 1 of 4
Using Horizontal and Vertical Stretches or Shrinks
Quick Review
When x is replaced with ax the The parabola y = 3x2 – x can
graph of y = f(x) is stretched or be stretched horizontally by a
compressed horizontally by a factor factor of 2 by replacing x by
of a. If a > 1 the graph is x/2 to get
compressed. If 0 < a < 1 the graph is
y = 3(x/2)2 – (x/2).
stretched.
It can be compressed
That is, y = f(ax) stretches or
horizontally by a factor of 2
shrinks the graph of y = f(x)
by replacing x by 2x to get
the function
y = 3(2x)2 – (2x).
When y is replaced with ay the The parabola y = 2x2 – x can
graph of y = f(x) is stretched or be stretched vertically by a
compressed vertically by a factor of factor of 2 by replacing y by
a. If a > 1 the graph is compressed. y/2 to get
If 0 < a < 1 the graph is stretched.
y/2 = 3x2 – x. This is usually
written
That is, ay = f(x) stretches or
shrinks the graph of y = f(x) y = 2( 3x2 – x )
It can be compressed
vertically by a factor of 2 by
replacing y by 2y to get the
function 2y = 3x2 – x.
Problems
1. Find the equation of the parabola formed by stretching y = x2 vertically by a factor of two.
2. Find the equation of the parabola formed by compressing y = x2 vertically by a factor of
1/2.
3. Find the equation of the parabola formed by stretching y = x2 – 3x vertically by a factor of
six, and horizontally by a factor of 2.
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Calc Using Horizontal and Vertical Stretches Page 2 of 4
4. Find the equation of the parabola formed by stretching y = x2 – 3x horizontally by a factor
of six, and vertically by a factor of 2
5. If the absolute value graph y = |x| is compressed vertically by a factor of 1/3, what are the
slopes of the lines forming the V?
6. Each of the following equations is a stretching or shrinking of y = 2x – x2. Identify each
stretch factor or shrink factor and the direction that applies.
a) y = 2(2x) – (2x)2 b) y = x – x2/4 c) y = 6x – 9x2
7. The graph on the left is some function y = f(x). The graph on the right is y = f(x/2). Each
of the graphs below are also stretches or shrinks of y = f(x). Find an equation for each
graph.
y
y = f(2x)
=
f(x)
a) b)
c) d)
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Calc Using Horizontal and Vertical Stretches Page 3 of 4
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8. This question is about the function y = g(x) shown here. For each equation below, sketch
the graph of the transformed function.
a) y = g(2x)
b) y = g(x)/2
c) y = 2g(3x)
d) y = g(x/2)
9. The function is stretched vertically by a factor of 5. What is the equation of
the transformed function?
10. The function is compressed horizontally by a factor of 1/3. What is the
equation of the transformed function?
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