The function      y= f(x + k)

This is best understood with an example.

Let k be equal to some number, say 3. Adding 3 into the original equation, we have:

So the curve moves -3 to the left, to where y=0. That is -k to the left.

In vector terms the translation of the curve is

back to top

The function      y = kf(x)

In our example, y increases by a factor of 'k' for every value of x.

Example - let k=5

So for each value of x, the value of y is 5 times its previous value. The curve is stretched in the y-direction by a factor of 5. That is by a factor of k.

back to top

The function      y= f(kx)

In the above, when x=1, y=1. However, in the second function when x=1, y is a higher value.

Look at the example below for x=1 and other values of x.

Remember, in this function the constant 'k' multiplies the x-value inside the function.

Example #1 - let k=4

You will notice that the y-value jumps by a factor of 16 for each increasing x-value. The y-value increases by a factor of 4 squared.

With more complicated functions the value of y for a given value of x, increases once more, narrowing the curve in the x-direction(or stretching in the y-direction).

Example #2 - a more complicated function with k=4

back to top

The function      y= sin(x+k)

Here the graph is translated by the value of k, to the left