Chapter 1: Problem 51
Graph the function using transformations. $$y=-\sqrt{x-2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function is derived from \( y = \sqrt{x} \), shifted right by 2 units, and reflected over the x-axis.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Base Function
The base function for this problem is the square root function: \( y = \sqrt{x} \). Understanding the base function helps us apply transformations accurately.
02
Horizontal Shift
The expression inside the square root is \( x-2 \), which indicates a horizontal shift of the base function to the right by 2 units. This means the graph of \( y = \sqrt{x} \) will be moved 2 units to the right.
03
Vertical Reflection
The negative sign outside the square root, \( -\sqrt{x-2} \), reflects the graph across the x-axis. This transformation inverts the vertical orientation of the graph, flipping it upside down.
04
Graph the Transformed Function
Start by graphing the base function \( y = \sqrt{x} \). Then apply the horizontal shift by moving the graph 2 units to the right. Finally, perform the reflection by flipping the graph upside down across the x-axis. The graph originates from the point (2, 0) and descends as \( x \) increases.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Root Function
The square root function is denoted by \( y = \sqrt{x} \). It's one of the basic building blocks in algebra and graphing because of its unique shape.
- This function only exists for non-negative values of \( x \) since we can't take the square root of a negative number in real numbers.
- The graph of this function is a curve starting at the origin (0,0), gently rising and curving to the right. It forms half of a sideways parabola.
- This graph is defined entirely in the first quadrant of the coordinate system, where both \( x \) and \( y \) values are non-negative.
Horizontal Shift
When the expression inside the square root contains a term like \( x - c \), this indicates a horizontal shift of the function \( y = \sqrt{x} \) by \( c \) units. In the given problem, the function reads \( \sqrt{x-2} \), which means:
- The entire graph of \( \sqrt{x} \) is shifted to the right by 2 units.
- The new origin of the square root curve becomes (2, 0) instead of (0, 0).
- The starting point of the graph is moved due to this transformation, indicating that every point on the original function is moved horizontally.
Vertical Reflection
Vertical reflection involves flipping a function graph about the x-axis. This happens when there's a negative sign in front of the function. For \( y = -\sqrt{x-2} \), this transformation is applied as it reflects the standard square root function downward.
- For every point on the curve, its \( y \)-value changes to its opposite, effectively inverting the curve.
- Before reflection, the function increases upward as \( x \) increases. After reflection, it falls downward.
- This transformation negates the \( y \)-values which means every positive value turns negative, creating an upside-down mirror image around the x-axis.