Chapter 1: Problem 13
Sketch the graph of the equation by translating, reflecting, compressing, and stretching the graph of \(y=\sqrt{x}\) appropriately, and then use a graphing utility to confirm that your sketch is correct. $$y=3-\sqrt{x+1}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \(y = 3-\sqrt{x+1}\) starts at (-1,3), decreasing to the right.
Step by step solution
01
Parent Function
The parent function for this equation is \(y = \sqrt{x}\). This is the standard square root function, which starts at the origin (0,0) and extends indefinitely to the right, forming a curved line that increases at a decreasing rate.
02
Horizontal Translation
The term \(x + 1\) in\(y = 3-\sqrt{x+1}\) indicates a horizontal translation. Specifically, \(y= \sqrt{x+1}\) indicates a shift of the parent function 1 unit to the left. Therefore, the starting point of the square root function shifts from (0,0) to (-1,0).
03
Vertical Reflection
The negative sign in front of the square root, \(-\sqrt{x+1}\), implies a reflection in the x-axis. This means that the curve of the square root function is flipped upside down; it will now decrease as it moves to the right.
04
Vertical Translation
The number 3 added to the equation corresponds to a vertical translation. In the equation \(y = 3-\sqrt{x+1}\), the entire function is shifted 3 units upwards. This means every point on the reflected curve is moved up by 3 units.
05
Combined Transformations
Combine all the transformations: The graph of \(y = \sqrt{x}\) is moved left by 1 unit (because of \(+1\)), reflected over the x-axis (because of the negative sign), and then shifted up by 3 units. The result is the graph of \(y = 3-\sqrt{x+1}\), starting at (-1,3) and moving downward to the right.
06
Graphing Utility Confirmation
Use a graphing utility or graphing software to check the accuracy of your transformations. Input \(y = 3-\sqrt{x+1}\) into the graphing tool and verify that the graph starts at (-1, 3), decreases to the right, and resembles an upside-down square root shifted up by 3 units.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Horizontal Translation
Horizontal translation involves shifting a graph left or right from its original position. This is determined by modifications inside the function's parentheses. For instance, the expression \( x+1 \) inside the square root \( \sqrt{x+1} \) indicates a move to the left by 1 unit. Here’s how to identify this shift:
- If you see \( x+c \), it shifts the graph left by \( c \) units.
- If you see \( x-c \), it shifts the graph right by \( c \) units.
Vertical Reflection
Vertical reflection is a transformation where the graph is flipped over the x-axis. This happens when a negative sign is in front of a function. In our example, \( -\sqrt{x+1} \) reflects the square root function over the x-axis:
- Originally, \( y=\sqrt{x} \) progresses upward as \( x \) increases.
- With \( -\sqrt{x+1} \), the graph changes direction and now decreases as \( x \) increases.
Vertical Translation
Vertical translation shifts a function graph up or down. It is easy to identify because it's added or subtracted directly from the whole function. In \( y=3-\sqrt{x+1} \), the number 3 denotes moving the graph 3 units up:
- Add \( c \): Moves the graph up by \( c \) units.
- Subtract \( c \): Moves the graph down by \( c \) units.
Parent Function
A parent function is the simplest form of any set of functions that form a "family." For square-root functions, the parent is \( y=\sqrt{x} \). This foundational format is key to understanding how transformations change a graph:
- It starts at (0, 0), growing gently upwards and to the right.
- Every transformation (translation, reflection) is applied to this base form.