Families of Graphs

/, PreCalculus/Families of Graphs

Families of Graphs

One of the benefits of graphing calculators and graphing software is that it allows you to learn things about functions and equations that would have been tedious to explore via pencil and graph paper. Families of graphs is a concept that starts with a “parent” function or equation and asks you to compare “child” functions or equations to it to determine how they have translated or transformed from the original.

Consider, for example one of the easiest equations to graph:

y = x or f(x) = x in functional notation.

When you plug values into the independent variable, x, the dependent variable, y, has the same value. When x is 1, y is 1. When x is 2, y is 2. When x is -4, y is -4. Plotting the points on a coordinate plane result in a line that goes through the origin, rising to the right as much as it runs.

So if y = x is the parent equation, compare the following to it.

y = x +5

y = x – 2

y = x + 3

y = x – 1

Next graph y = |x|,  the parent and compare it to the following children:

y = |x| + 1

y = |x| + 2

y = |x| – 3

y = |x| – 4

What do you notice?

Compare  y = |x| to the following:

y = |x – 2|

y = |x – 1|

y = |x + 4|

y = |x + 2|

Did they behave as you expected?

Compare the graph of the parent y = x² with the graphs of the following equations. How are they changed from the original?

y = x² – 3

y = x² + 1

y = (x – 4)²

y = (x + 2)²

y = (x + 2)² + 3

Returning to our original line y = x, what happens when we multiply x by a number?

y = ½ x

y = 3x

y = -¾ x

y = -2 x

Do your explanations hold for the following?

y = |x| and y = -|x|

y = x² and y = ¼ x²

y = x² and y = -3x²

y = x³ and y = -x³

Use the Families of Graphs Exploration to sketch the graphs and note your observations.

families of graphs exploration thumbnail

 

A Parent Functions Foldable is available for note taking.

Parent function foldable thumbnail

 

parent function foldable front   parent function foldable inside

A Functions Transformations Foldable is available for note taking. Inspiration by Sarah Hagan.

Functions Transformations Foldable thumbnail

functions transformation foldable front  functions transformation foldable inside

By | 2017-11-13T22:02:01+00:00 June 23rd, 2015|Algebra II, PreCalculus|2 Comments

About the Author:

2 Comments

  1. Lyn Coote May 20, 2020 at 4:46 am - Reply

    Dear Stacie,
    I am loving your webiste. The practical and visual way you communicate is outstanding.
    I am working with a group of educators and would like permission to share an example of your note taking foldables.
    Please contact me at the email provided if it would be ok to share the image of the function transformation foldable.
    Kind regards
    Lyn

    • Stacie Bender October 22, 2020 at 9:30 pm - Reply

      Thank you! I wish I had more time to be creative this year but I’m barely staying afloat. Please share any of the foldables with anyone who can use them in their classes.

Leave A Comment