How do you sketch the graph of y=x^2-2x and describe the transformation?

1 Answer
Jun 9, 2017

The graph of y=x^2 moves to the right by 1
The graph of y=x^2 moves down by 1

Thus the transformation of any point is (x_1+1,y_1-1)

Explanation:

color(magenta)("Preamble")

As the coefficient of x^2 is positive (+1x^2) then the graph is of form uu. Thus the vertex is a minimum.

color(red)("If") the coefficient had been negative then the graph would have been in the form nn. Thus the vertex would have been a maximum.
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color(magenta)("Answering the question")

What we are transforming is the basis of y=x^2 where x_("vertex")=0
Let the vertex of y=x^2->(x_1,y_1)=(0,0)

Note this is the same as: y=x^2+0x+0
Note that the y-intercept is at x=0
So for this case the y-intercept is y=(0)^2+0x+0=0

color(blue)("Transformation left or right - Shift left or right")

Let the vertex of y=x^2-2x ->(x_2,y_2)

By including the color(red)(-2)color(green)(x) the new x_("vertex") of color(green)(y=x^2color(red)(-2)x) is (-1/2)xxcolor(red)(-2)=+1 =x_2

So the transformation for x is x_2-x_1" "=" "1-0=+1

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color(blue)("Transformation up or down - shift up or down")

y_(vertex)" for "y=x^2=0=y_1

The new y_("vertex") =y_2 at x_2=1

So by substitution for x y_2=(x_2)^2-2(x_2)" "=" "(1)^2-2(1)=-1

Thus transformation for y is y_2-y_1" "=" "-1-0" "=" "-1
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Consequently the transformation of any point is (x_1+1,y_1-1)

Tony B