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Graph transformations

A-level

Translations, stretches and reflections — and the one rule that sorts them out: inside the bracket is horizontal and does the opposite of what you expect. Flip on Test yourself to drill them.

Inside the bracket = horizontal & opposite; outside = vertical & as expected.

Translations

f(x) + atranslate UP by aoutside the bracket → vertical, and it does what you'd expect
f(x) − atranslate DOWN by a
f(x + a)translate LEFT by ainside the bracket → horizontal, and the OPPOSITE way
f(x − a)translate RIGHT by a

Stretches

a·f(x)vertical stretch, scale factor a
f(ax)horizontal stretch, scale factor 1/ainside the bracket → horizontal, and the reciprocal

Reflections

−f(x)reflection in the x-axis
f(−x)reflection in the y-axis

The rest of the formulae

Exact trig values, calculus results and identities worth knowing cold.

Formulae to memorise

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