Answer:
D. right 4, down 8
Explanation:
The usual transformations applied to functions are ...
f(x) ⇒ f(x -h) . . . . translation right h units
f(x) ⇒ f(x) +k . . . . translation up k units
f(x) ⇒ k·f(x) . . . . . vertical scaling by a factor of k; reflection over x-axis when k < 0
f(x) ⇒ f(x/k) . . . . . horizontal scaling by a factor of k; reflection over y-axis when k < 0
In the above, "scaling" will be expansion when |k| > 1, compression when |k| < 1.
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Your transformation is ...
x^2 ⇒ (x -4)^2 -8
f(x) ⇒ f(x -4) -8
This is translation with h=4 and k=-8. That is, it is translation right 4 units and down 8 units.
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Additional comment
Like much of math, it is all about matching patterns.