Algebra · real student question

The parent function f(x) = |x| is translated 4 units up and 2 units right. Write the equation of the new function.

Question

The parent function f(x)=xf(x)=|x| is translated 44 units up and 22 units right. Write the equation of the translated function.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Start from the parent function. The graph of f(x)=xf(x)=|x| is a V with vertex at the origin (0,0)(0,0) and arms of slope ±1\pm 1. Every absolute-value graph in this family is this same V placed somewhere else.

  2. Shift 2 units right. Replace the input xx with x2x-2:

    f(x2)=x2f(x-2)=|x-2|

    The minus sign produces a shift to the right. A quick way to see why: the corner occurs when the inside is zero, and x2=0x-2=0 happens at x=2x=2, two units right of the original corner.

  3. Shift 4 units up. Add 44 to the whole expression:

    x2+4|x-2|+4

  4. Read off the general pattern. The result fits the standard vertex form

    f(x)=xh+kwith h=2,  k=4,vertex (2,4)f(x)=|x-h|+k\quad\text{with } h=2,\;k=4,\quad\text{vertex }(2,4)

    so hh lives inside with a minus and kk lives outside with a plus — the single rule behind every problem of this type.

  5. Verify with points. The parent point (0,0)(0,0) should land at (2,4)(2,4): the new formula gives 22+4=4  |2-2|+4=4\;\checkmark. The parent point (3,3)(-3,3) should land at (1,7)(-1,7): the formula gives 12+4=3+4=7  |-1-2|+4=3+4=7\;\checkmark. Both arms keep slopes ±1\pm 1, confirming that a translation changes position but never shape.

Answer

f(x)=x2+4f(x)=|x-2|+4

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