How is g(x)=1/2x-4 from the parent graph f(x)=1/x?

Vertically stretched by a factor of 2 and shifted right 2 units.

Horizontally stretched by a factor of 2 and shifted right 4 units.
Vertically compressed by a factor of 1/2
and shifted left 2 units. <my answer
Vertically compressed by a factor of 1/2
and shifted right 2 units.

To transform the parent graph f(x) = 1/x into the function g(x) = 1/2x - 4, you can apply two main transformations: scaling and shifting.

First, let's consider the scaling factor. In g(x), the x-term is 1/2x, which means it is horizontally stretched by a factor of 2 compared to the parent graph f(x) = 1/x. This stretching factor changes the shape of the graph, making it narrower.

Next, we move on to the shifting. In g(x), there is a constant term of -4, which represents a vertical shift of the graph downwards by 4 units. This means that the entire graph is moved 4 units downwards.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Vertically compressed by a factor of 1/2 and shifted right 2 units.

the way you typed it ....

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=plot+y%3D1%2F2x-4+,+y%3D1%2Fx%3F

One is a straight line, the other is a hyperbola

What makes me believe you meant
y = 1/(2x) - 4 ?? or perhaps y = 1/(2x - 4)

See how important those brackets are ??