CHAPTER 3

General Function Concepts

Introduction: Analysis of Functions

Functions and their graphs will be the primary “objects” that we study in
Algebra, Precalculus, and Calculus.

Functions represent the relationship between di↵erent quantities, between an

input and an output. This simple framework has broad applications:

• Physics uses quadratic functions to describe the motion of objects in

gravity.
• Biology and economics use exponential functions to describe the growth
or decay of organisms and markets over time.
• Many fields apply trigonometric functions to describe recurring be-
havior or rotations in space.

The common questions we’ll ask about functions are

• What is the set of inputs that make sense? (What is the domain of
the function?)
• What is the set of outputs that make sense? (What is the range of
the function?)
• What inputs produce outputs above (or below) a certain value?
• How do our answers to the above questions change under di↵erent
transformations?

97
98 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Supplement: Linear Inequalities

The process for solving an inequality is very similar to the process for solving
an equation. One key di↵erence is that the solution to an inequality is usually
an infinite set of numbers rather than the one or two numbers we commonly
find when solving equations. In addition, there is one important thing to keep
in mind.

Definition (The Negative Multiplication Rule for Inequalities). When both

sides of an inequality are multiplied (or divided) by a negative number, then
the direction of the inequality sign will reverse.

Example 3.1. Solve the inequality

7 5x > 48

Solution. Start by subtracting 7 from both sides.

5x > 55

In order to isolate x we should divide by 5. The Negative Multiplication

Rule tells us that the direction of the inequality sign should be reversed. So
our solution is

x < 11

This solution represents all numbers less than 11.

 SUPPLEMENT: LINEAR INEQUALITIES 99

Example 3.2. Solve the combined inequality

5 < 3(2 x) + 8 < 20

Solution. In a combined inequality, we have 3 expressions related to each

other rather than 2. Our goal is to isolate x in the middle expression, and all
rules of solving inequalities (including the Negative Multiplication rule) still
apply.

Subtract 8 from all expressions.

3 < 3(2 x) < 12

Divide by 3.

1<2 x<4

Subtract 2.

3< x<2

Divide by 1. The Negative Multiplication rule applies.

3>x> 2

By convention, we prefer to write combined inequalities so that the expressions

are in increasing order from left to right. So we express our solution as

2<x<3

This solution represents all numbers between 2 and 3, but not including the
numbers 2 and 3 themselves.
100 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Inequality Problems

Problem 3.1.
Solve each inequality

(a) x 7> 5
(b) 2t < 6
(c) 5x < 10
t 3
(d) 2
> 2
(e) 3s 1> 4
(f) y < 7y 24
(g) 2 h<4+h
(h) 5(2u + 3) > 2(u 3) + u
(i) 5(x 7) + 2(1 x) > 3(x 11)
(j) 7y 2(y 4) > 6 (2 y)

Problem 3.2.
Solve each inequality

(a) k 3(2 4k) < 7 (8k 9 + k)

(b) 23 t (2 3t) < 5t + 2(1 t)
(c) 4(y + 2) 9y > y 3(2y + 1) 1
(d) 4(5x (3x 7)) < 2(4x 5)

Problem 3.3.
State whether each statement is true for all real numbers. If you think it is
false, give an example to support your answer.

(a) If a < b then a b<0

(b) If a < b then a2 < b2
(c) If a < b and c < d, then a + c < b + d
(d) If a < b and c < d, then a c<b d
(e) If a 6= b, then a2 + b2 > 2ab
1
(f) If a > 0 and a 6= 1, then a + a
>2
 SUPPLEMENT: INTERVAL NOTATION 101

Supplement: Interval Notation

As we explore functions further, we will find that we are interested not just in
specific inputs and outputs but in intervals of inputs and intervals of outputs.

An interval is a segment of the number line. For example, here is an illustration

of an interval that represents all the numbers between 2 and 5:

Symbolically, we can refer to this interval using the compound inequality 2<
x < 5 or more concisely using the interval notation (2, 5).

Definition (Interval Notation). We represent a segment of the number line

using the format
(lower, upper)
This is equivalent to the combined inequality
lower < x < upper

If there is no lower bound, we can use the symbol 1 (“negative infinity”).

And where there is no upper bound, we can use the symbol 1 (“infinity”).
These symbols are placeholders and do not represent real numbers.

When we want to include either the lower or upper bound in our interval, we
can use brackets [ ] rather than parentheses.

Summary. The following table summarizes all possible variations.

Inequality Interval Notation

x<a ( 1, a)
xa ( 1, a]
x>b (b, 1)
x b [b, 1)
a<x<b (a, b)
a<xb (a, b]
ax<b [a, b)
axb [a, b]
102 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Interval Notation Problems

Problem 3.4.
Translate the following inequalities into interval notation.

(a) 3<x<9
(b) x 4
(c) x < 17
(d) 5  x < 23

Problem 3.5.
Rewrite each interval as an inequality in terms of x.

(a) ( 3, 7)
(b) ( 12, 32]
(c) ( 1, 0)
(d) [5, 1)

Problem 3.6.
Brackets are never used to enclose the symbols 1 or 1. For example, it
would be incorrect to express an interval as [ 1, 7]. Why?

Problem 3.7.
Find an interval that can be expressed using interval notation but cannot be
expressed as an inequality.
 1. VERTICAL TRANSFORMATIONS 103

1. Vertical Transformations
From the previous assignment, we know that

x2 + y 2 = 1

is the equation of a circle with center at (0, 0) and radius 1. We wish to have
this equation in function form so we solve for y:

y2 = 1 x2
p
y=± 1 x2

So the circle actually represents two functions, which we’ll call U and L. They
are
p
U (x) = 1 x2
p
L(x) = 1 x2

where U (x) represents the upper half of the semicircle and L(x) represents the
lower half.

Example 3.3. What is the domain and what is the range of U (x)?

Definition (Transformation). A transformation of a function or a variable

refers to one or more operations that are applied to that function or variable.
1
For example, a transformation of x might be the expression 2
(x 3). A
transformation of a U (x) might be 2 · U (x).
104 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Example 3.4. Use the following Desmos graph to investigate transforma-

tions of U (x).

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/wa3jrhoesi

• Reveal the graph of U (x) + 1. Change the value of 1 and observe the
e↵ect it has on the range and the graph of U (x).
• Reveal the graph of 2U (x). Change the value of 2 and observe the
e↵ect it has on the range and the graph of U (x).
• Reveal the graph of 2U (x) + 1. Change the values of the coefficients
and observe the combined e↵ect they have on the range and the graph
of U (x).

Example 3.5. What is the e↵ect of the transformation U (x) + k on the

range of U (x)? How does the transformation show up on the graph of U (x)?

Example 3.6. What is the e↵ect of the transformation a · U (x) on the range
of U (x)? How does the transformation show up on the graph of U (x)?

Definition (Corresponding Points). Given a function and a transformation,

each point on the function has a matching point on the transformation. Points
are matched based on the specific transformation.

For example, the point (0, 1) on U (x) has the corresponding point (0, 4) on
U (x) + 3.
 1. VERTICAL TRANSFORMATIONS 105

Vertical Transformation Problems

p
For the problems in this section, let U (x) = 1 x2 be the upper semicircle
function.

Problem 3.8.
In interval notation, state the range of the following transformations of U (x).
Then sketch the transformation.

(a) U (x) + 3
(b) U (x) 8
(c) 5 · U (x)
(d) U (x)
(e) 3 · U (x)
(f) 14 U (x)
(g) 7 · U (x) + 2
2
(h) 3
U (x) +1

Problem 3.9.
The transformation U (x) + d has the range [ 6, 5]. What is d?

Problem 3.10.
The transformation c · U (x) has the range [ 9, 0]. What is c?

Problem 3.11.
The transformation a · U (x) + k has the range [7, 12]. What are a and k?

Problem 3.12.
The transformation a · U (x) + k has the range [n, n + 8]. What are a and k?
(Answer in terms of n.)

Problem 3.13.
The transformation a·U (x)+k has the range [P, Q] where P and Q are positive.
What are a and k? (Answer in terms of P and Q.)
106 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

For the problems below, let S(x) be the function shown below. You do not
need to know the formula for S(x).

Problem 3.14.
What is the domain and range of S(x)? (You may estimate.)

Problem 3.15.
What is the range of the following transformations of S(x)? Base your answers
on the range you stated in Problem 3.14.

(a) S(x) + 3
(b) S(x) 8
(c) 4 · S(x)
(d) S(x)
(e) 3 · S(x)
(f) 27 S(x)
(g) 7 · S(x) + 2
6
(h) 7
S(x) +1

Problem 3.16.
Sketch graphs of the following transformations of S(x).

(a) S(x) + 3
(b) 2 · S(x)
(c) S(x)
 1. VERTICAL TRANSFORMATIONS 107

Problem 3.17.
The function f (x) = x2 is a parabola with a domain of ( 1, 1) and a range
of [0, 1). Find the range of the following.

(a) x2 + 7
(b) x2
(c) 3x2
(d) 5x2 + 2

Problem 3.18.
For the function f (x) = x2 , what is the range of ax2 + k

• when a > 0?
• when a < 0?

Problem 3.19.
In each part, find the corresponding point given the information provided.
⇣p ⌘
(a) The point 23 , 12 is on the graph of U (x). Find its corresponding
point on 13 U (x) + 4.
(b) The point (2, 4) is on the graph of f (x) = x2 . Find its corresponding
point on 5x2 + 2.

Problem 3.20.
Let f (x) = x2 . The point (2, 4) has the corresponding point (2, 7) on the
transformation ax2 + k. Find possible values of a and k. (There are many.)

Problem 3.21.
For the function g(x) (not shown):

• the point (1, 5) on g(x) corresponds to (1, 24) on a · g(x) + k

• the point ( 3, 2) on g(x) corresponds to ( 3, 11) on a · g(x) + k

Find a and k. (There’s only one possibility.)

108 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

2. Composition

Example 3.7. Let f (x) = x2 2x 8 and g(x) = x 3. Compute

(a) g( 3)
(b) f (g( 3))
(c) f (g(x)) (write in standard form)

Definition (Composition of Functions). Function composition takes two func-

tions, f and g, and produces a new function f (g(x)) which we read as “f of g
of x.”

When x is a constant (part b of Example 3.7), then the order of operations is:

• plug x into g to get a number y

• plug y into f to get a final result

When x is left as a variable (part c of Example 3.7), the expression that

represents g is plugged into f .

One theme of this chapter will be on how composition a↵ects the properties
of a function.

Example 3.8. Let g(x) = x2 + 3x 18 and let f (x) = g( x).

(a) Find the x-intercepts of g(x).

(b) Find the x-intercepts of f (x).

Solution. To find the x-intercepts of g(x), we solve

g(x) = 0
2
x + 3x 18 = 0
(x + 6)(x 3) = 0
x = 6, 3
 2. COMPOSITION 109

For f (x), solve

f (x) = 0
g( x) = 0
( x + 6)( x 3) = 0
x = 3, 6

For finding the intercepts of f (x), note that we composed x with the factored
form of g(x). Depending on the context, it may be more useful to work with
one form of a function than another.
110 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Composition Problems

Problem 3.22.
Let f (x) = 3(x + 1)2 + 4 and g(x) = x + 2. Compute

(a) f (g( 1))

(b) g(f ( 1))
(c) g(g( 1))
(d) f (f ( 1))
(e) f (g(x))
(f) g(f (x))

Problem 3.23.
Let f (x) = 2x + 3.

(a) Find f (f (x)).

(b) Find f (f (f (x))).

Problem 3.24.
1
Let f (x) = 2023 (x 999)2 + 1001. Let h(x) = f (x + 9).

(a) Write the formula for h(x) in vertex form.

(b) What are the coordinates of the vertex for h(x)? Compare to the
coordinates of the vertex for f (x).

Problem 3.25.
Let f (x) = a(x h)2 + k. Find the coordinates of the vertex of

(a) f (x 1)
(b) f (x + 1)
(c) f (x c)

Problem 3.26.
Let g(x) = 3x2 8x + 5. Write each composition in standard form. Then find
the x-coordinate of the vertex of each composition.

(a) g(x)
 2. COMPOSITION 111

1
(b) g 3
x
(c) g( x)
1
(d) g x + 3

Problem 3.27.
Let f (x) be a quadratic function and let g(x) = f (x a). Describe where the
vertex of f (x) is in relation to the vertex of g(x). Base your answer on your
results from Problems 3.25 to 3.27.

Problem 3.28.
Let g(x) = (x 7)2 + 1. If it’s also true that g(x) = f (x + 5), find f (x) in
vertex form.

Problem 3.29.
Let g(x) = x2 + x 20. If it’s also true that g(x) = f (x + 5), find f (x) in
standard form.

Problem 3.30.
Let h(x) = 2x2 42x + 216. Find the x-intercepts of

• h(3x)
1
• h 3
x

. (Hint: factoring h(x) first may help.)

Problem 3.31.
Let f (x) = a(x r1 )(x r2 ). Find the x-intercepts of

(a) f (x)
(b) f (1000x)
x
(c) f 1000
(d) f ( x)

Problem 3.32.
In general, describe the location of the x-intercepts of a function f (x) in rela-
tion to the x-intercepts of f (cx).
112 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Problem 3.33.
Let g(x) = mx + b and g(g(x)) = 9x + 28. Find all possible values for m and
b.

Problem 3.34.
Let g(x) = x + 2023. Find
g(g(g(...g(g(x))))...)
| {z }
101 times

Problem 3.35. p
The semicircle function pU (x) = 1 x2 can be interpreted as a composition
of functions: let f (x) = 1 x and g(x) = x2 . Then U (x) = f (g(x)).

Find another way to write U (x) as a composition of functions. That is, come
up with di↵erent versions of f (x) and g(x) such that U (x) = f (g(x)).

Problem 3.36.
Find functions f (x) and g(x) that satisfy each equation.

(a) f (g(x)) = (x + 1)2 3(x + 1) + 2

(b) f (g(x)) = (3x)2 + 2(3x) 8
(c) f (g(x)) = (x 1)2 + 5x 1
 3. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE 113

3. Positive and Negative

Example 3.9. Consider the graph of the following function. Assume the
function continues infinitely in both directions.

• what inputs would produce positive outputs?

• what inputs would produce negative outputs?

We could ask the question above in this way: on which intervals is the function
f (x) positive and on which intervals is the f (x) negative?

Example 3.10. Let f (x) = 12 (x 4)(x + 2).

• Sketch a graph of f (x). Label the x and y intercepts.

• Use your sketch to solve the inequality 12 (x 4)(x + 2) < 0.

Example 3.11. Let f (x) = 12 x2 x 4.

• Find the intervals on which f (x) is positive and negative.

• Find the intervals on which f (x) is positive and negative.
114 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Positive and Negative Problems

Problem 3.37.
Solve each inequality by graphing the left-hand side as a function.

(a) x2 9>0
(b) (x 9)2 < 0

Problem 3.38.
Find the intervals on which g(x) = 2x2 5x + 3 is negative.

Problem 3.39.
Determine the intervals on which each function is negative and the intervals
on which each function is positive.

(a) a(x) = x2 5x 24
(b) b(x) = x2 2x + 24
1
(c) c(x) = 2
(x 4)2 + 18
(d) d(x) = 2(x + 2)2 50
(e) e(x) = 7x2 56x
(f) f (x) = x2 2x 2

Problem 3.40.
Compare the intervals on which each function is negative or positive. Assume
r 1 < r2 .

• p(x) = (x r1 )(x r2 )
• q(x) = (x r1 )(x r2 )
• r(x) = 2(x r1 )(x r2 )
• s(x) = 3(x r1 )(x r2 )
• t(x) = 2023(x r1 )(x r2 )

Problem 3.41.
• Write a quadratic function that is positive only on the interval ( 5, 3).
• Write a quadratic function that is positive only on the interval ( 5, 3)
and passes through the point ( 1, 4).
 3. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE 115

Problem 3.42.
Let f (x) = x2 7x 18.

(a) Find the intervals on which f (x) is positive or negative.

(b) Find the intervals on which f (3x) is positive or negative.
(c) Find the intervals on which f (x + 5) is positive or negative.

Problem 3.43.
The quadratic function f (x) = x2 kx + 4 has two real roots. What are all
possible values of k?

Problem 3.44.
The quadratic function f (x) = 2kx2 kx + 1 has two nonreal complex roots.
What are all possible values of k?

Problem 3.45.
If a quadratic function g(x) has two nonreal complex roots, what can you say
about the solution to g(x) < 0?

Problem 3.46.
Write a quadratic function that is negative on its entire domain except at
x = 3.

Problem 3.47.
Write a quadratic function that is positive on its entire domain.
116 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

4. Square Root and Domain Restrictions

p
The semicircle function U (x) = 1 x2 has a domain of [ 1, 1] while the
quadratic function f (x) = x2 has a domain of ( 1, 1).

The square root operation in the semicircle function imposes a domain re-
striction on the function: since we graph functions only using real numbers,
any input that would result in an imaginary output is not included in the
function’s domain.

Example 3.12. Determine the domain of each function.

p
• f (x) = x
p
• g(x) = x + 5
p
• h(x) = x2 8x 9

Example 3.13. If a < b, it is not always true that a2 < b2 . Find an example
of two numbers a and b such that a < b, but a2 > b2 .

Example 3.14. If both a and b are not negative and a < b, then it is true
that a2 < b2 . Use this fact to solve the inequality
p
x+5<4

p p
Example 3.15. Here’s a silly function: S(x) = 3 2 x. Determine
the domain of S(x).
 4. SQUARE ROOT AND DOMAIN RESTRICTIONS 117

Square Root Problems

Problem 3.48.
Determine the domain of each function.
p
(a) y = x 15
p
(b) y = 3x 15
p
(c) y = 15 x
p
(d) y = x2 9
p
(e) y = 9 x2
p
(f) y = x2 5x + 14
p
(g) y = 2x2 + x 3
p
(h) y = x2 + 1

Problem 3.49. p
Determine the domain of f (x) = mx + b in terms of m and b.

Problem 3.50.
Determine where each function is positive and negative. Refer to Problem 3.48
to reduce the amount of work you need to do.
p
(a) y = x 15 5
p
(b) y = 3x 15 6
p
(c) y = 15 x 5

Problem 3.51.
p
Let f (x) = 2x + 8. Determine the domain of

• f (x)
• f (x + 3)
• f ( 13 x)

Problem 3.52. p
The function f (x) = a(x r1 )(x r2 ) has a domain of [ 4, 5] and passes
through the point 12 , 9 . Find a.
118 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Problem 3.53. p
The function h(x) = x2 + 6x + k has a domain of ( 1, 1). What are all
possible values of k?

Problem 3.54.
p
Let g(x) = x 9. For each possible f (x), find a formula for f (g(x)) and
g(f (x)).

(a) f (x) = 3 x
2
(b) f (x) = x

Problem 3.55.
Determine the domain for each composition you found in Problem 3.54.

Problem 3.56.
Determine functions f (x) and g(x) such that
q
p
f (g(x)) = 3 2 x

Problem 3.57.
Determine the domain of each function.
p p
(a) f (x) = 2 5 x
p p
(b) g(x) = 7 1 x

Problem 3.58. p p
Determine the domain of f (x) = b a x in terms of a and b.

Problem 3.59.
Write a function with a domain of [423, 2023].

Problem 3.60.
Determine the domain of
r q
p
g(x) = 1 3 2 x
 5. HORIZONTAL TRANSFORMATIONS 119

5. Horizontal Transformations
p p
Let’s look at our “silly” function S(x) = 3 2 x and study how com-
positions of S(x) a↵ect properties of the graph.

Example 3.16. Use the following Desmos graph to investigate S(x) and
compositions.

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/ckozignkvt

• Reveal the graph of S(x + 2). Change the value of 2 and observe the
e↵ect it has on the domain and the graph of S(x).
• Reveal the graph of S(2x). Change the value of 2 and observe the
e↵ect it has on the domain and the graph of S(x).
• Reveal the graph of S(2x + 2). Change the values of the coefficients
and observe the combined e↵ect they have on the range and the graph
of S(x).

Example 3.17. What is the e↵ect of the transformation S(x h) on the

domain of S(x)? How does the composition show up on the graph of S(x)?

Example 3.18. What is the e↵ect of the transformation S(bx) on the domain
of S(x)? How does the transformation show up on the graph of S(x)?

Example 3.19. What is the e↵ect of the transformation S(b(x h)) on the
domain of S(x)? How does the transformation show up on the graph of S(x)?
120 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Horizontal Transformation Problems

p p
For the problems in this section, let S(x) = 3 2 x.

Problem 3.61.
In interval notation, state the domain of the following transformations of S(x).
Then sketch the transformation.

(a) S(x + 3)
(b) S(x 8)
(c) S(2x)
(d) S( x)
(e) S( 2x)
(f) S( 12 x)
(g) S(2x + 6)
1
(h) S( 2
x + 4)

Problem 3.62.
The transformation S(x d) has the domain [ 1, 8]. What is d?

Problem 3.63.
The transformation S(bx) has the domain [ 4, 14]. What is b?

Problem 3.64.
The transformation S(b(x + 3)) has the domain [ 24, 3]. What is b?

Problem 3.65.
Use the descriptions below to write a transformation of S(x).

Example: S(x) shifted to left by 3 units.

Solution: S(x + 3)

(a) S(x) shifted to the right by 9 units.

(b) S(x) reflected over the y-axis.
(c) S(x) stretched horizontally by a factor of 3.
1
(d) S(x) stretched horizontally by a factor of 2
and shifted left by 3 units.
 5. HORIZONTAL TRANSFORMATIONS 121

For the problems below, let T (x) be the function shown below. You do not
need to know the formula for T (x).

Problem 3.66.
What is the domain of T (x)? (You may estimate.)

Problem 3.67.
What is the domain of the following transformations of T (x)? Base your
answers on the domain you stated in in the previous problem.

(a) T (x 5)
(b) T (x + 3)
(c) T (2x)
(d) T ( x)
(e) T ( 2x)
(f) T ( 21 x)
(g) T (2x 6)
1
(h) T ( 2
x + 1)

Problem 3.68.
Sketch graphs of the following transformations of T (x).

(a) T (x 3)
(b) T (2x)
(c) T ( x)
122 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Problem 3.69.
A quadratic function f (x) has a vertex at (6, 3). Use knowledge of horizontal
transformations to find the coordinates of the vertex of

(a) f (x 5)
(b) f (2x)
(c) f ( x)
(d) f (3x + 12)

Problem 3.70.
A quadratic function g(x) has a vertex at ( 12, 5). The vertex of g(mx + b)
has its vertex at ( 4, 5). Find some possible values for m and b. (There are
many possibilities.)

Problem 3.71.
The x-intercepts of a quadratic function g(x) are at 6 and 12. The x-
intercepts of g(b(x h)) are at 0 and 92 . What are b and h? (There are
two possibilities.)

Problem 3.72.
Horizontal transformations do not a↵ect the domain of a quadratic function.
Why not?
 6. SEQUENCES OF TRANSFORMATIONS 123

6. Sequences of Transformations
In this section, we combine our understandings of vertical and horizontal trans-
formations.

In summary, through transformations, the graphs of functions can be

• vertically or horizontally stretched by a factor of c

• reflected over either the x or y axis
• shifted up, down, left, or right by n units.

In general, transformations on graphs should be applied following the normal

order of operations (reflections and stretches before shifts). Either vertical or
horizontal transformations may be applied first.

p
Example 3.20. Let U (x) = 1 x2 . Identify the sequence of transforma-
tions needed to produce the graph of 3U ( 2x 4) + 5.

Example 3.21. Let the function g(x) have the graph shown below.

Sketch the graphs of

1
• g 3
x
1
• 2g 3
x
1
• 2g 3
x 1
124 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Transformation Problems

Reference functions
p
• U (x) = 1 x2 , which has domain [ 1, 1] and range [0, 1]
p p
• S(x) = 3 2 x, which has domain [ 7, 2]

Problem 3.73.
For each function g(x), describe the sequence of transformations that should
be applied to f (x).

(a) g(x) = f (x 5) + 3
(b) g(x) = f (x) + 2
(c) g(x) = 13 f ( 13 x)
(d) g(x) = f ( x + 4)

Problem 3.74.
p
Let f (x) = x. For each function g(x), describe the sequence of transforma-
tions that should be applied to f (x).
p
(a) g(x) = x + 5
p
(b) g(x) = x + 5
p
(c) g(x) = 2 x
p
(d) g(x) = 2x
p
(e) g(x) = x
p
(f) g(x) = x
p
(g) g(x) = 12 3x + 1
p
(h) g(x) = 2x 6 1

Problem 3.75.
Let f (x) = x2 7x + 6. Write a function g(x) in standard form that applies
the following transformations to f (x).

• vertical stretch by a factor of 2

• reflection over the y-axis
• shift left 1 unit
 6. SEQUENCES OF TRANSFORMATIONS 125

Problem 3.76.
p
Let U (x) = 1 x2 . Write a function g(x) that applies the following trans-
formations to U (x).

• reflection over the x-axis

• horizontal stretch by a factor of 2
• shift right by 4 units
• shift down by 1 unit

Problem 3.77.
Let the function f (x) have the graph shown below. Sketch the graph of
2f (x 3) + 1.

Problem 3.78.
The graph of 13 g(2x) 1 is shown below. Sketch the graph of g(x).
126 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

Problem 3.79.
The quadratic function P (x) is positive only on the interval ( 6, 4). Find the
interval(s) on which the following functions are positive.

(a) P (x)
(b) P ( x)
(c) P (x 3)
(d) 7P (x)
(e) P ( 14 x)

Problem 3.80.
Explain how the vertex form of a quadratic function can be interpreted as a
vertical and horizontal transformation of x2 .

Problem 3.81.
Describe the sequence of transformations that should be applied to x2 to get
the graph of the function f (x) = 2x2 12x 23.

Problem 3.82.
The quadratic function Q(x) has vertex at ( 1, 5). When the graph of Q(x)
is shifted 4 units to the right and 3 units down, we get the function f (x) =
3x2 + kx + 29. Find formulas for f (x) and Q(x).

Problem 3.83.
We’d usually interpret 9x2 as a vertical stretch by a factor of 9 and (3x)2 as
a horizontal stretch by a factor of 13 . Notice that 9x2 = (3x)2 . Why can there
be two interpretations for the same transformation? (Consider why the same
could not be said of U (x) and S(x).)
 7. PRACTICE TEST 127

7. Practice Test

1. Let F (x) have the following graph.

(a) Identify the range of F (x).

1
(b) Sketch the graph of 2
F (x) + 1. Label corresponding points.
(c) The transformation aF (x) + k has range [ 1, 17]. What could a
and k be?

2. Let f (x) = 3x2 2x + 1.

• Write f (2x 1) in standard form.
• Find the x-coordinate of the vertex of f (x) and f (2x 1).

3. Let f (g(x)) = (x 3)2 7x + 21. If g(x) = x 3, find f (x).

1 2
4. Find the intervals where the function f (x) = 3
x 2x + 73 is positive
and negative.

5. The function f (x) = 2x2 + kx + 3k is negative on ( 1, 1). Find

all possible values of k.

p
6. Let f (x) = x 5 and g(x) = 2x2 5x + 8. Find the domain of
128 3. GENERAL FUNCTION CONCEPTS

(a) f (g(x))
(b) g(f (x))

7. Refer to the graph of F (x) in Problem 1.

(a) Identify the domain of F (x).
(b) Sketch the graph of F (2x 6).
(c) Write a transformation of F (x) that has the domain [ 19, 21].