Final answer:
A horizontal stretch of the function f(x) by a scale factor of 4 is achieved by multiplying the input x by ¼. The new function becomes f(¼x), resulting in the points on the graph being spread out horizontally by a factor of 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the function rule for a horizontal stretching of the function f(x) by a scale factor of 4, the input variable x needs to be adjusted. In the context of transformations of functions, a horizontal stretch can be accomplished by multiplying the input variable by the reciprocal of the scale factor.
Since the scale factor given is 4, the reciprocal is ¼. Thus, the new function after the horizontal stretch will be f(\(¼\)x).
For example, if the original function is f(x) = x², a horizontal stretch by a factor of 4 would result in the function g(x) = f(\(¼\)x) = (\(¼\)x)². Simplifying g(x) gives us g(x) = \(¼\)x² = \(½\)x².
Therefore, any point on the graph of f(x) would move horizontally to a position four times further away from the y-axis.