Graphical Transformations

More questions on this topic: IGCSE Algebra: Graphical Transformations (29) AS Pure: Sketching & Transforming Graphs (98) A2 Pure: Sketching & Transforming Graphs (94)

Edexcel

Edexcel · Old spec

AQA

OCR

Higher June 2025 Paper 2 Q22

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

22 The equation of circle A is \(x^2 + y^2 = 25\)

Circle A is translated by the vector \(\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}\) to give circle B.

Sketch circle B.
Show the coordinates of
    the centre of circle B
and the points where circle B meets the \(y\)-axis. (3)

Blank x and y axes with origin O

Higher November 2024 Paper 3 Q21

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksGraphical Transformations

21 Here is the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\)

Graph of y = f(x) on a square grid with axes and origin O: three straight-line segments, a steep line down from upper left to a minimum point below the x-axis, a line up through O, then a horizontal line labelled y = f(x)
(a) On the grid, draw the graph of \(y = -\mathrm{f}(x)\) (1)

Here is a sketch of the graph of \(y = \sin x^\circ\)

Sketch of y = sin x degrees starting at O, rising to a maximum, falling through the x-axis to a minimum point marked P, then rising back to the x-axis

The point marked \(P\) is a turning point on the graph.

The graph of \(y = \sin x^\circ\) is translated to give the graph of \(y = \sin(x + 180)^\circ + 4\)

Following the translation the point \(P\), shown on the graph above, moves to point \(R\).

(b) Find the coordinates of \(R\). (3)

Higher June 2024 Paper 2 Q21

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

21 The graph of \(y = \mathrm{g}(x)\) is shown on the grid.

Grid with x and y from -6 to 6; curve y = g(x) from (-1, 1) down to a minimum at (1, -2) and up to (3, 1)

On the grid, draw the graph of \(y = \mathrm{g}(-x) + 2\) (2)

Higher November 2023 Paper 3 Q20

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

20 The turning point on the graph of \(y = \text{g}(x)\) has coordinates \((-3, 6)\)

(a) Write down the coordinates of the turning point on the graph of \(y = \text{g}(x - 7)\) (1)

The graph of \(y = \text{f}(x)\) is shown on the grid.

Grid with x from -7 to 9 and y from -8 to 8; the graph of y = f(x) is an n-shaped curve from (-6, -7) up to a maximum at (-2, 3) and down to (2, -7), crossing the x-axis at about -5.1 and 1.1
(b) On the grid, sketch the graph of \(y = \text{f}(-x) + 3\) (2)

Higher June 2023 Paper 2 Q21

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

21 Here is the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\)

Graph of y = f(x): line segments joining (−3, 0), (−2, 1), (−1, 1) and (0, 0), on a grid with x from −7 to 7 and y from −5 to 5
(a) On the grid below, draw the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x) - 4\)
Blank grid with x from −7 to 7 and y from −5 to 5
(1)
(b) On the grid below, draw the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(-x)\)
Blank grid with x from −7 to 7 and y from −5 to 5
(1)

Higher June 2022 Paper 2 Q21

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

21 The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is shown on the grid below.

Grid showing the curve y = f(x): it comes down steeply from the top left, touches the x-axis at (-3, 0), rises to a maximum at (-1, 1), passes through the origin and goes down to (2, -4)
(a) On the grid above, sketch the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(-x)\) (1)

Here is a sketch of the graph of \(y = \tan x^\circ\)

Sketch of y = tan x degrees with vertical dashed asymptotes; the point Q is marked on the x-axis, the second zero to the right of O

The graph of \(y = \tan x^\circ\) is translated to give the graph of \(y = \mathrm{g}(x)\)

Following the translation the point \(Q\), shown on the graph above, moves to point \(R\).
Point \(R\) has coordinates \((90, -5)\)

(b) Find an expression for \(\mathrm{g}(x)\) in terms of \(x\). (2)

Higher November 2021 Paper 2 Q18

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksGraphical Transformations

18 Here is a graph of \(y = \sin x^\circ\) for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 360\)

Graph of y = sin x for x from 0 to 360 on a grid, with y from -1 to 1
(a) Using this graph, find estimates of all four solutions of
\(\sin x^\circ = 0.6\)   for \(0 \leqslant x \leqslant 720\) (2)

The graph of \(y = \sin x^\circ\) is reflected in the \(x\)-axis.

(b) Write down an equation of the reflected graph. (1)

Here is a graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\)

Grid with x from -7 to 5 and y from -3 to 3; the graph of y = f(x) is made of straight line segments from (-4, 1) to (-2, -1), then to (-1, -1), then to (2, 1)
(c) On the grid, draw the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x - 2)\) (1)

Higher November 2019 Paper 1 Q20

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

20 The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is shown on the grid.

Grid with x and y from -6 to 6 showing the graph of y = f(x): line segments from (-4, 3) to (-3, 3), (-3, 3) to A(-2, 1), (-2, 1) to (1, 4) and (1, 4) to (3, 4)
(a) On the grid, draw the graph with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(x + 1) - 3\) (2)

Point \(A(-2, 1)\) lies on the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\).

When the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is transformed to the graph with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(-x)\), point \(A\) is mapped to point \(B\).

(b) Write down the coordinates of point \(B\). (1)

Higher June 2019 Paper 3 Q15

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

15 The graph of the curve C with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is transformed to give the graph of the curve S with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(-x) - 3\)

The point on C with coordinates \((7, 2)\) is mapped to the point \(Q\) on S.

Find the coordinates of \(Q\). (2)

Higher November 2018 Paper 1 Q18

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

18 The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is shown on the grid below.

Grid with x from -4 to 6 and y from -3 to 3 showing the curve y = f(x), a U-shaped curve through (0, 0) and (2, 0) with minimum point (1, -1)
(a) On the grid above, sketch the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x - 2)\) (1)
Grid with x from -5 to 5 and y from -3 to 3 showing graph A on the left and graph B on the right; graph B is the reflection of graph A in the y-axis

On the grid, graph A has been reflected to give graph B.

The equation of graph A is \(y = \mathrm{g}(x)\)

(b) Write down the equation of graph B. (1)

Higher June 2018 Paper 1 Q18

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

18 Here is the graph of  \(y = \sin x^\circ\)  for \(-180 \leqslant x \leqslant 180\)

Graph of y = sin x for x from -180 to 180 on a grid with y from -4 to 4

On the grid, sketch the graph of  \(y = \sin x^\circ - 2\)  for \(-180 \leqslant x \leqslant 180\) (2)

Higher June 2017 Paper 3 Q20

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksDrawing & Using GraphsGraphical Transformations

20 The equation of a curve is \(y = a^x\)
\(A\) is the point where the curve intersects the \(y\)-axis.

(a) State the coordinates of \(A\). (1)

The equation of circle C is \(x^2 + y^2 = 16\)

The circle C is translated by the vector \(\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}\) to give circle B.

(b) Draw a sketch of circle B.
Label with coordinates
 the centre of circle B
 and any points of intersection with the \(x\)-axis. (3)

1MA0 Higher November 2016 Paper 2 Q22

22

Graph of y = k to the power x for x from -3 to 3, passing through (0, 1), (-1, 2) and (-2, 4)

The graph of \(y = k^x\), where \(k\) is a positive constant, is shown above.

(a) Find the value of \(k\). (2)
Graph of y = sin x degrees for x from -270 to 270, with y from -2 to 2

The graph of \(y = \sin x^\circ\) for values of \(x\) from \(-270\) to \(+270\) is shown above.

(b) On the same axes, draw the graph of \(y = 1 - \sin x^\circ\) for values of \(x\) from \(-270\) to \(+270\) (2)

1MA0 Higher June 2015 Paper 1 Q24

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksGraphical Transformations

24

Curve y = f(x) with maximum point (3, 5)

The diagram shows part of the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\).
The coordinates of the maximum point of the curve are (3, 5).

(a) Write down the coordinates of the maximum point of the curve with equation
(i) \(y = \mathrm{f}(x + 3)\)
(ii) \(y = 2\mathrm{f}(x)\)
(iii) \(y = \mathrm{f}(3x)\) (3)

The curve with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is transformed to give the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(x) - 4\)

(b) Describe the transformation. (1)

1MA0 Higher November 2014 Paper 1 Q25

EdexcelHigherOld spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

25

Curve y = f(x) with minimum point (3, -4)

The diagram shows part of the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\).
The coordinates of the minimum point of this curve are \((3, -4)\)

Write down the coordinates of the minimum point of the curve with equation

(i) \(y = \mathrm{f}(x) + 3\)
(ii) \(y = \mathrm{f}(2x)\)
(iii) \(y = \mathrm{f}(-x)\) (3)

1MA0 Higher March 2013 Paper 1 Q25

EdexcelHigherOld spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

25 \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\)

The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is shown on the grid.

Grid with x from -8 to 8 and y from -4 to 4 showing the parabola y = f(x) with minimum point (-2, 0)
(a) On the grid above, sketch the graph of \(y = -\mathrm{f}(x)\). (2)

The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is shown on the grid.

Grid showing y = f(x) with minimum (-2, 0) and graph G, the same parabola with minimum (4, 0)

The graph G is a translation of the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\).

(b) Write down the equation of graph G. (1)

1MA0 Higher June 2012 Paper 1 Q26

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksGraphical Transformations

26 The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is shown on each of the grids.

(a) On this grid, sketch the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x - 3)\)
Grid with x from -5 to 7 and y from -4 to 6 showing the parabola y = f(x) with minimum (1, -1) through (0, 0) and (2, 0)
(2)
(b) On this grid, sketch the graph of \(y = 2\mathrm{f}(x)\)
Grid with x from -5 to 7 and y from -3 to 8 showing the same parabola y = f(x)
(2)

Higher June 2025 Paper 1 Q21

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

21 The graph of \(\quad y = \mathrm{f}(x) \quad\) for \(\quad 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 3 \quad\) is shown.

Graph of y = f(x) on a grid with x and y from −4 to 4: straight lines from (0, 0) to (1, 3) and from (1, 3) to (3, 0)
(a) On the grid below, draw the graph of \(\quad y = -\mathrm{f}(x) \quad\) for \(\quad 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 3\)

The graph of \(\quad y = \mathrm{f}(x) \quad\) is shown to help you. [1 mark]

Grid with x and y from −4 to 4 showing y = f(x) dashed
(b) On the grid below, draw the graph of \(\quad y = \mathrm{f}(x) + 1 \quad\) for \(\quad 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 3\)

The graph of \(\quad y = \mathrm{f}(x) \quad\) is shown to help you. [1 mark]

Grid with x and y from −4 to 4 showing y = f(x) dashed

Higher November 2024 Paper 1 Q23

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

23 In each part, the graph shown is a transformation of the graph \(\quad y = x^2\)

(a) Write down the equation of the graph shown. [1 mark]
Graph of a U-shaped parabola with its minimum point at (0, 2), passing through about (−1, 3) and (1, 3)
(b) Write down the equation of the graph shown. [1 mark]
Graph of an upside-down parabola with its maximum point at (0, 0), passing through (−1, −1) and (1, −1)
(c) Write down the equation of the graph shown. [1 mark]
Graph of a U-shaped parabola with its minimum point at (3, 0), passing through (2, 1) and (4, 1)

Higher November 2023 Paper 3 Q27

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

27

(a) The graph of \(\quad y = x^3 \quad\) is translated to the graph of \(\quad y = (x - 2)^3\)

Write down the translation vector. [1 mark]

(b) The graph of \(\quad y = 5x + 4 \quad\) is reflected in the \(y\)-axis.

Write down the equation of the reflected graph. [1 mark]

Higher June 2023 Paper 2 Q26

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksGraphical Transformations

26 Here is a sketch of \(\quad y = x^2\)

Sketch of the parabola y = x squared with its minimum at the origin O
(a) The minimum point of \(\quad y = x^2 \quad\) is at (0, 0)

Write down the coordinates of the minimum point of \(\quad y = x^2 + 2\) [1 mark]

(b) The graph \(\quad y = x^2 \quad\) is reflected in the \(x\) axis.

Write down the equation of the graph after this transformation. [1 mark]

(c) \(y = x^2 \quad\) is now transformed to give \(\quad y = (x + 3)^2\)

Describe fully this single transformation. [2 marks]

Higher November 2022 Paper 3 Q26

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

26 Here is a sketch of the graph of \(\quad y = 5^x\)

Sketch of y = 5 to the power x: an increasing curve that approaches the negative x-axis and crosses the y-axis above O

In parts (a) and (b) the sketch of \(\quad y = 5^x \quad\) is shown as a dashed line.

(a) On the axes below, sketch the graph of \(\quad y = -5^x\) [1 mark]
Axes with the graph of y = 5 to the power x shown as a dashed curve
(b) On the axes below, sketch the graph of \(\quad y = 5^x - 1\) [1 mark]
Axes with the graph of y = 5 to the power x shown as a dashed curve

Higher June 2022 Paper 1 Q27

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

27 The grid shows the graph of \(\quad y = \mathrm{f}(x)\)

Graph of y = f(x) for x from about −1 to 2.2: coming down steeply to (0, 1) where it levels off, then down through (1, 0) to a minimum at about (1.5, −0.7), then up steeply through about (1.8, 0)

On the grid, draw the graph of \(\quad y = -\mathrm{f}(x)\) [2 marks]

Higher November 2021 Paper 1 Q28

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

28 Here is the graph of \(\quad y = \cos x \quad\) for \(\ 0° \leqslant x \leqslant 360°\)

Graph of y = cos x for 0° to 360° on a grid, with y from −2 to 2

In parts (a) and (b) the graph of \(\quad y = \cos x \quad\) is shown as a dashed line.

(a) On the grid below, draw the graph of \(\quad y = \cos(x - 90°) \quad\) for \(\ 0° \leqslant x \leqslant 360°\) [1 mark]
Grid with y = cos x drawn dashed for 0° to 360°
(b) On the grid below, draw the graph of \(\quad y = 1 + \cos x \quad\) for \(\ 0° \leqslant x \leqslant 360°\) [1 mark]
Grid with y = cos x drawn dashed for 0° to 360°
(c) Rita tries to draw the graph of \(\quad y = \cos(-x) \quad\) for \(\ 0° \leqslant x \leqslant 360°\)

Here is her graph.

Rita’s graph: a curve starting at (0, −1), rising to 1 at 180° and back to −1 at 360°

Give a reason why Rita’s graph is incorrect. [1 mark]

Higher November 2020 Paper 1 Q29

29 The graph of \(\quad y = x^3 + 6 \quad\) is translated 4 units to the right.

The translated graph has equation \(\quad y = \mathrm{f}(x)\)

Work out \(\mathrm{f}(x)\).

Give your answer in the form \(\quad x^3 + ax^2 + bx + c \quad\) where \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) are integers. [4 marks]

Higher June 2019 Paper 2 Q8

8 On the axes, sketch the curve \(\quad y = x^3 - 2\)

You must show the coordinates of the \(y\)-intercept. [2 marks]

Blank x and y axes with origin O

Higher November 2018 Paper 2 Q24

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksGraphical Transformations

24 Here is a sketch of \(\quad y = \text{f}(x)\)

The curve passes through the points

\(({-2}, {-10}) \quad ({-1}, {-3}) \quad (0, {-2}) \quad (1, {-1}) \quad (2, 6)\)

A grid with x from −5 to 3 and y from −10 to 6, showing the curve y = f(x) through (−2, −10), (−1, −3), (0, −2), (1, −1) and (2, 6)

On the grid, sketch the curve \(\quad y = \text{f}(x + 2)\) [2 marks]

Higher November 2018 Paper 3 Q20

20 Curve P has equation \(\quad y = 2(x - 1)^2 - 5\)

Curve Q is a reflection in the \(y\)-axis of curve P.

Work out the equation of curve Q.

Give your answer in the form \(\quad y = ax^2 + bx + c \quad\) where \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) are integers. [3 marks]

Higher June 2018 Paper 1 Q29

AQAHigherCurrent spec4 marksGraphical Transformations

29 Here are sketches of two graphs.

Sketch of y = x² − 1 (grey), a U-shaped curve with its minimum on the y-axis below O, and Graph A (black), the same curve translated to the left

The graph of \(\quad y = x^2 - 1 \quad\) is translated 3 units to the left to give graph A.

(a) The equation of graph A can be written in the form \(\quad y = x^2 + bx + c\)

Work out the values of \(b\) and \(c\). [3 marks]

(b) The graph of \(\quad y = x^2 - 1 \quad\) is reflected in the \(x\)-axis to give graph B.

Work out the equation of graph B. [1 mark]

Higher November 2024 Paper 6 Q22

22

(a) For each graph below, select its possible equation from this list.
  • \(y = \sqrt{x - 4}\)
  • \(y = 4^x\)
  • \(y = x^4\)
  • \(y = \dfrac{4}{x}\)
  • \(y = \left(\dfrac{1}{4}\right)^x\)
  • \(y = -4x^2\)
  • \(y = 4\cos x\)
  • \(y = \sqrt{4^2 - x^2}\)
(i)
Sketch of a decreasing curve that crosses the y-axis at 1 and gets closer to the x-axis as x increases; 4 is marked on the x-axis

Not to scale

[1]
(ii)
Sketch of a quarter circle from (0, 4) on the y-axis to (4, 0) on the x-axis

Not to scale

[1]
(b) A graph is drawn on the axes below.
Sketch of a sine-shaped curve for x from 0° to 360°, with y from −1 to 1. It starts above 0, rises to 1, crosses the x-axis at 130°, falls to −1, and crosses the x-axis again at r°, before 360°

Not to scale

The equation of the graph is \(y = \sin(x + p)\), where \(0^\circ \leqslant x \leqslant 360^\circ\).
The \(x\)-intercepts are 130° and \(r\)°.

Write down the value of \(p\) and the value of \(r\). [2]

Higher November 2023 Paper 5 Q21

21 The graph of \(y = x^2\) is shown below for \(-2 \leqslant x \leqslant 2\).

Graph of y = x squared for x from −2 to 2, with y from −2 to 6
(a) Find the equation of the image when \(y = x^2\) is reflected in the line \(y = 2\). [2]
(b) Describe the single transformation that maps the graph of \(y = x^2\) onto the graph of \(y = x^2 + 6x - 5\). [4]

Higher November 2023 Paper 6 Q13

13

(a) The graph of \(y = 3^x\) is sketched below.
Sketch of the curve y = 3 to the power x, crossing the y-axis above the origin and rising steeply for positive x

On the same axes, sketch the graph of \(y = 2^x\). [3]

(b) Charlie sketches this graph.
Sketch of a wave starting at the origin, first going down to a minimum below the x-axis, then rising through the x-axis to a maximum above it, then coming back down to the x-axis

Charlie says

The equation of my graph is \(y = \sin x\).
(i) Explain how you know that Charlie is not correct. [1]
(ii) Write down a possible equation for Charlie’s graph. [1]

Higher November 2022 Paper 4 Q19

OCRHigherCurrent spec3 marksGraphical Transformations

19 Describe the single transformation that maps the graph of \(y = x^2\) onto the graph of \(y = (x + 3)^2 + 5\). [3]

Higher November 2021 Paper 4 Q18

18

(a) For each graph below, select its possible equation from this list.
\(y = x\)\(y = x^2\)\(y = \dfrac{1}{x}\)
\(y = \sin x\)\(y = \cos x\)\(y = \tan x\)
\(y = 3^x\)\(y = \left(\dfrac{1}{3}\right)^x\)
(i)
Graph through the origin O that increases to a vertical asymptote, then repeats: branches rising from minus infinity to plus infinity crossing the x-axis, a tan-shaped curve
[1]
(ii)
Increasing curve above the x-axis that approaches the x-axis to the left and crosses the positive y-axis, an exponential growth shape
[1]
(b) Here is a sketch of \(y = x^3\).
Sketch of y = x cubed passing through the origin O

On the axes below, sketch the graphs of

(i) \(y = -x^3\)
Blank x and y axes with origin O

[1]

(ii) \(y = x^3 - 8\), showing the values of any intercepts with the axes.
Blank x and y axes with origin O

[3]

Higher June 2018 Paper 4 Q15

15

(a) Write \(x^2 - 8x + 25\) in the form \((x - a)^2 + b\). [3]
(b) Write down the coordinates of the turning point of the graph of \(y = x^2 - 8x + 25\). [2]
(c) Hence describe the single transformation which maps the graph of \(y = x^2\) onto the graph of \(y = x^2 - 8x + 25\). [2]