Chapter 0: Problem 15
Sketch the graph of the equation by translating, reflecting, compressing, and stretching the graph of \(y=x^{2}, y=\sqrt{x}\), \(y=1 / x, y=|x|\), or \(y=\sqrt[3]{x}\) appropriately. Then use a graphing utility to confirm that your sketch is correct. $$ y=2-\frac{1}{x+1} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Graph of \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \) is a reflected, shifted version of \( y = \frac{1}{x} \) with asymptotes at \( y = 2 \) and \( x = -1 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Parent Function
The equation given is \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \). Recognizing the structure, we see that it is based on the reciprocal function \( y = \frac{1}{x} \). Thus, the parent function is \( y = \frac{1}{x} \).
02
Apply Horizontal Shift to the Parent Function
The term \( x+1 \) in the denominator indicates a horizontal shift to the left by 1 unit. Therefore, start by shifting the graph of \( y = \frac{1}{x} \) leftward by 1 unit to get \( y = \frac{1}{x+1} \).
03
Apply Vertical Reflection and Shift
The negative sign in front of \( \frac{1}{x+1} \) reflects the graph across the x-axis. The addition of 2 outside the fraction translates the entire graph upwards by 2 units, resulting in the final transformation equation \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \).
04
Sketch the Transformed Graph
Start by sketching the basic shape of \( y = \frac{1}{x} \), shift it left by 1 unit, reflect it across the x-axis, and finally move it up by 2 units accordingly. The graph will approach 2 as an asymptote when \( x \) approaches infinity or negative infinity, and there will be a vertical asymptote at \( x = -1 \).
05
Use a Graphing Utility to Confirm
Enter the equation \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \) into a graphing utility. Verify that your sketch matches the computer-generated graph, ensuring the transformations were applied correctly, with horizontal asymptote at \( y = 2 \) and vertical asymptote at \( x = -1 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Reciprocal Function
The reciprocal function is a fundamental type of function where the variable is in the denominator, typically expressed as \( y = \frac{1}{x} \). This forms a hyperbola with two branches, one in each of the first and third quadrants for positive values, assuming no further transformations.
Key characteristics of this function include:
Key characteristics of this function include:
- It has a vertical asymptote at \( x = 0 \) because the function is undefined at this point.
- It has a horizontal asymptote at \( y = 0 \), indicating that as the absolute value of \( x \) becomes very large, the function values approach zero.
- The function is symmetric with respect to the origin, meaning it exhibits a point symmetry about the origin \((0, 0)\).
Horizontal Shift
A horizontal shift in a function occurs when every point on the graph is moved left or right. For our transformation involving \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \), the \( +1 \) in the denominator adjusts the horizontal positioning.
Here's how it works:
Here's how it works:
- A \( +1 \) inside the function causes the graph to shift left by one unit.
- This is opposite to what some might expect; generally, \( y = f(x+c) \) shifts to the left by \( c \).
- It's essential to track these shifts carefully as they can completely alter where key features like asymptotes appear in the transformed graph.
Vertical Reflection
Vertical reflection involves flipping the graph over a horizontal line, often the x-axis. This is what happens when a negative sign is introduced in front of a function.
In the given equation \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \), the negative sign in front of the reciprocal portion \( -\frac{1}{x+1} \) indicates a vertical reflection:
In the given equation \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \), the negative sign in front of the reciprocal portion \( -\frac{1}{x+1} \) indicates a vertical reflection:
- The graph of \( y = \frac{1}{x+1} \) which typically appears in the first and third quadrants, flips so that its branches switch to the second and fourth quadrants.
- This means any upward trend becomes downward, and downward becomes upward, relative to the x-axis.
- Such reflections can affect intercepts, the approach of asymptotes, and the general direction of slopes in the graph.
Asymptotes
Asymptotes are lines that a graph approaches but never touches. They are crucial in describing the behavior at the extremes.
For the function \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \), there are two significant asymptotes:
For the function \( y = 2 - \frac{1}{x+1} \), there are two significant asymptotes:
- Vertical Asymptote: This occurs at \( x = -1 \), due to the denominator \( x+1 = 0 \). The graph of the reciprocal function cannot exist at this point, thus creating the vertical barrier.
- Horizontal Asymptote: This happens at \( y = 2 \), indicating that as \( x \) approaches \( \pm \) infinity, \( y \) levels off towards 2, which is influenced by the vertical shift.