Chapter 4: Problem 17
Graph the rational function by applying transformations to the graph of \(y=\frac{1}{x}\). $$f(x)=\frac{1}{x-2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Shift the graph of \( y = \frac{1}{x} \) 2 units to the right to graph \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Parent Function
The parent function given is \( y = \frac{1}{x} \), which is a rational function known as the reciprocal function. Its graph is a hyperbola with vertical and horizontal asymptotes along the x-axis and y-axis, respectively.
02
Determine Transformations
The function given is \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2} \). We can see that this function involves a horizontal shift. The term \( x-2 \) indicates a horizontal shift to the right by 2 units.
03
Apply Horizontal Shift
To graph \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2} \), apply the horizontal shift to the graph of \( y = \frac{1}{x} \). Move every point on the hyperbola 2 units to the right. The vertical asymptote, originally at \( x=0 \), now shifts to \( x=2 \). The horizontal asymptote remains unchanged at \( y=0 \).
04
Sketch the Transformed Graph
With the vertical asymptote at \( x = 2 \) and the horizontal asymptote at \( y = 0 \), draw the branches of the hyperbola. The graph will resemble the original hyperbola, but shifted to the right by 2 units.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Reciprocal Function
A reciprocal function is a specific type of rational function often expressed as \( y = \frac{1}{x} \). This function forms the basis for many transformations in graphing rational functions. It is defined wherever \( x eq 0 \) since division by zero is undefined. The graph of this function is a hyperbola with two asymptotes: a vertical asymptote at \( x = 0 \) and a horizontal asymptote at \( y = 0 \). Asymptotes are lines that the graph approaches but never actually touches.Bullets:
- Key feature: the hyperbola approaches the asymptotes but never reaches them.
- Symmetric about the origin, meaning it reflects equally in the opposite quadrants.
Horizontal Shift
A horizontal shift changes the position of a graph along the x-axis. For the function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2} \), the parent function \( y = \frac{1}{x} \) experiences a shift. The value \( x-2 \) tells us that the graph has moved 2 units to the right. This is because we replace \( x \) with \( x - 2 \), effectively adjusting the input by shifting it.When graphing, remember:
- A positive shift means moving to the right.
- The vertical asymptote follows the shift, from \( x = 0 \) to \( x = 2 \) in this example.
Vertical Asymptote
A vertical asymptote is a vertical line that the graph of a function approaches but never touches or crosses. It usually indicates where a function is undefined. In our example, the transformation of the reciprocal function \( y = \frac{1}{x} \) to \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2} \) causes the vertical asymptote to shift from its position at \( x = 0 \) to \( x = 2 \).Things to remember about vertical asymptotes:
- A vertical asymptote typically corresponds to values that make the denominator zero.
- The behavior of the graph near an asymptote is a crucial feature in sketching rational functions.
Hyperbola Graph
The graph of a reciprocal function, such as \( y = \frac{1}{x} \), is a hyperbola. Hyperbolas are curves with two separate branches, each approaching asymptotes but not intersecting them. Transformations such as horizontal shifts adjust the location of these branches.Features of a Hyperbola:
- The two branches occupy opposite quadrants, reflecting symmetry around the origin in the parent function.
- In \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x-2} \), the branches are shifted right to align with the new vertical asymptote at \( x = 2 \), while maintaining the same shape and angles.