Question

Given f(x)=(0.5)^x, give the rule for g(x) if it is f(x) shifted to the left 1 unit, down 3 units, and reflected over the x-axis

Answer 1

g(x) = -(0.5)^(x + 1) + 3

Explanation:

First, let's define the transformations used in this case:

Horizontal shift (horizontal translation):

If we have a function f(x), a horizontal translation can be written as:

g(x) = f(x - N)

if N is positive, the translation is to the right

if N is negative, the translation s to the left.

Vertical shift (vertical translation):

If we have a function f(x), a vertical translation can be written as:

g(x) = f(x) + N

if N is positive, the translation is upwards

if N is negative, the translation is downwards.

Reflection over the x-axis.

If we have a function f(x), a reflection over the x-axis is written as:

g(x) = -f(x).

Now we have the function:

f(x) = (0.5)^x

Let's apply the transformations:

"shifted to the left 1 unit"

g(x) = f(x - (-1) ) = f(x + 1)

"shifted down 3 unts"

g(x) = f(x + 1) - 3

"reflected over the x-axis"

g(x) = -( f(x + 1) - 3 ) = -f(x + 1) + 3

now we can replace the function equation here and get:

g(x) = -f(x + 1) + 3 = -(0.5)^(x + 1) + 3