Algebra Examples

$y = - 3 \sqrt[3]{x} - 1$

Step 1

The parent function is the simplest form of the type of function given.

$y = \sqrt[3]{x}$

Step 2

Assume that $y = \sqrt[3]{x}$ is $f (x) = \sqrt[3]{x}$ and $y = - 3 \sqrt[3]{x} - 1$ is $g (x) = - 3 \sqrt[3]{x} - 1$ .

$f (x) = \sqrt[3]{x}$

$g (x) = - 3 \sqrt[3]{x} - 1$

Step 3

The transformation from the first equation to the second one can be found by finding $a$ , $h$ , and $k$ for each equation.

$y = a \sqrt{x - h} + k$

Step 4

Factor a $1$ out of the absolute value to make the coefficient of $x$ equal to $1$ .

$y = \sqrt{x}$

Step 5

Factor a $1$ out of the absolute value to make the coefficient of $x$ equal to $1$ .

$y = - 3 \sqrt{x} - 1$

Step 6

Find $a$ , $h$ , and $k$ for $y = - 3 \sqrt{x} - 1$ .

$a = - 3$

$h = 0$

$k = - 1$

Step 7

The horizontal shift depends on the value of $h$ . When $h > 0$ , the horizontal shift is described as:

$g (x) = f (x + h)$ - The graph is shifted to the left $h$ units.

$g (x) = f (x - h)$ - The graph is shifted to the right $h$ units.

Horizontal Shift: None

Step 8

The vertical shift depends on the value of $k$ . When $k > 0$ , the vertical shift is described as:

$g (x) = f (x) + k$ - The graph is shifted up $k$ units.

$g (x) = f (x) - k$ - The graph is shifted down $k$ units.

Vertical Shift: Down $1$ Units

Step 9

The sign of $a$ describes the reflection across the x-axis. $- a$ means the graph is reflected across the x-axis.

Reflection about the x-axis: Reflected

Step 10

The value of $a$ describes the vertical stretch or compression of the graph.

$a > 1$ is a vertical stretch (makes it narrower)

$0 < a < 1$ is a vertical compression (makes it wider)

Vertical Stretch: Stretched

Step 11

To find the transformation, compare the two functions and check to see if there is a horizontal or vertical shift, reflection about the x-axis, and if there is a vertical stretch.

Parent Function: $y = \sqrt[3]{x}$

Horizontal Shift: None

Vertical Shift: Down $1$ Units

Reflection about the x-axis: Reflected

Vertical Stretch: Stretched

Step 12