Vertical and horizontal translations quick check
Unit 2 lesson 4
Vertical and horizontal translations refer to the shifting of a graph either up or down (vertical translation) or left or right (horizontal translation). When a graph is vertically translated, its shape does not change, but its position on the y-axis shifts either up or down. When a graph is horizontally translated, its shape also does not change, but its position on the x-axis shifts either to the left or right.
To perform a vertical translation, you add or subtract a constant value to the entire function. For example, the function y = x^2 + 2 represents a vertical translation of 2 units upward because the constant value (2) is added to the function.
To perform a horizontal translation, you add or subtract a constant value inside the function. For example, the function y = (x - 3)^2 represents a horizontal translation of 3 units to the right because the constant value (3) is subtracted from x before squaring.
Overall, vertical and horizontal translations allow you to move a graph without changing its shape or stretching it.