Chapter 6: Problem 7
The graph of \(f(x)=2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-20}\) is shifted downward 4 units, and then shifted left 2 units, stretched vertically by a factor of 4 , and refl cted about the \(x\) -axis. What is the equation of the new function, \(g(x) ?\) State its \(y\) -intercept, domain, and range.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The new function is \( g(x) = -8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} + 16 \). The \( y \)-intercept is \( -8\cdot 4^{18} + 16 \), the domain is \( (-\infty, \infty) \), and the range is \( (-\infty, 16) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Original Function
The given function is \( f(x) = 2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-20} \). This is an exponential function with a base of \( \frac{1}{4} \) that has been translated right by 20 units and vertically stretched by a factor of 2.
02
Apply Downward Shift
To shift down by 4 units, subtract 4 from the function: \( h(x) = 2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-20} - 4 \).
03
Apply Horizontal Shift
Now, shift the function left by 2 units. Adjust the inputs: \( k(x) = 2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{(x+2)-20} - 4 = 2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} - 4 \).
04
Apply Vertical Stretch
Stretch the function vertically by a factor of 4. Multiply the entire function by 4: \( m(x) = 4 \cdot \left( 2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} - 4 \right) = 8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} - 16 \).
05
Apply Reflection
Reflect the function across the \( x \)-axis by negating the entire function: \( g(x) = -(8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} - 16) = -8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} + 16 \).
06
Determine the y-intercept
The \( y \)-intercept occurs when \( x = 0 \). Evaluate \( g(0) = -8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{-18} + 16 \). Simplifying, \( g(0) = -8\cdot 4^{18} + 16 \).
07
Determine the Domain
Since the function is exponential, its domain is all real numbers, i.e., \( (-\infty, \infty) \).
08
Determine the Range
The range of \( g(x) \) is determined by the reflection and vertical transformations applied. Since it was originally an exponential decay starting at \( y = 2 \), and reflected about the \( x \)-axis, the range is \( (-\infty, 16) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Functions
Exponential functions are a special type of function where the variable, typically denoted as \( x \), appears in the exponent. These functions are incredibly useful in modeling a variety of real-world phenomena, such as population growth and radioactive decay.
In the general form, an exponential function can be written as \( f(x) = a \, b^x \) where:
In the general form, an exponential function can be written as \( f(x) = a \, b^x \) where:
- \( a \) is a constant that affects the vertical stretch or compression of the graph,
- \( b \) is the base of the power. If \( b > 1 \), the function shows exponential growth. If \( 0 < b < 1 \), it is exponential decay.
Graph Transformations
Graph transformations refer to the various ways you can manipulate a function to produce a different graph.
Each type of transformation modifies the function's appearance in specific ways.
In this exercise, multiple transformations are applied:
Each type of transformation modifies the function's appearance in specific ways.
In this exercise, multiple transformations are applied:
- Vertical Shift: Shifting the graph up or down by adding or subtracting from the function. For the exercise, subtracting 4 moved the graph downward by 4 units.
- Horizontal Shift: Moving the graph left or right involves changing the input value of the function. Here, substituting \((x + 2)\) for \(x\) shifted the function to the left by 2 units.
- Vertical Stretch: This transformation involves multiplying the function by a constant greater than 1, making the graph taller. Multiplying the entire function by 4 stretched it vertically in the exercise.
Function Reflection
Function reflection is a transformation that flips the graph of a function across an axis.
In mathematical terms, reflecting a graph across the x-axis involves negating the entire function: \( g(x) = -f(x) \). This turns all values of the function from positive to negative and vice versa.
For the given problem, after performing other transformations, reflecting the function across the x-axis resulted in the function \( g(x) = -8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} + 16 \). This makes the graph appear as a mirror image across the x-axis and inverses the direction of the graph's slope. The previous decreasing pattern now appears to increase downward when viewed as a reflection.
In mathematical terms, reflecting a graph across the x-axis involves negating the entire function: \( g(x) = -f(x) \). This turns all values of the function from positive to negative and vice versa.
For the given problem, after performing other transformations, reflecting the function across the x-axis resulted in the function \( g(x) = -8\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{x-18} + 16 \). This makes the graph appear as a mirror image across the x-axis and inverses the direction of the graph's slope. The previous decreasing pattern now appears to increase downward when viewed as a reflection.
Function Domain and Range
In mathematics, the domain and range of a function are pivotal in understanding the "boundaries" of its behavior and graph.
- Domain: This is the set of all possible \( x \) values (inputs) that the function can accept. For exponential functions, you can plug in any real number, giving it a domain of \( (-\infty, \infty) \).
- Range: The range is the set of possible \( y \) values (outputs) a function can produce. In this exercise, since the function has been transformed, including a reflection which changed how the graph presents its output values, the range of the reflected function becomes \((-\infty, 16) \).