Question

For the function f(x)=x^2, what effect will multiplying f(x) by 1/2 have on the graph?

A. The graph will be compressed horizontally
B. The graph will be stretched vertically
C. The graph will be compressed vertically
D. The graph will be shifted horizontally

Answer 1

For the function f ( x ) = x² we have the new function f 1 ( x ) = 1/2 x².
f ( x ) = a · x²
- If |a| < 1 the graph is compressed vertically by a factor of a.
- If |a| > 1 the graph is stretched vertically by a factor of a.
Here: a = 1/2 < 1
Answer:
C. The graph will be compressed vertically.