Question

Functions f(x) and g(x) are shown below.

f(x) = x^2
g(x) = x^2 + 8x + 16

In which direction and by how many units should f(x) be shifted to obtain g(x)?

Left by 4 units

Right by 4 units

Left by 8 units

Right by 8 units

Answer 1

@TwinYang @Cosmichaotic

Answer 2

\[g(x) = x^2 - 8x + 16\]
You can see that the above function is a perfect square.
Hope you remember that \[(a-b)^2=a^2-2ab+b^2\]
x^2 - 8x + 16 is the same with a=x and b=4
\[x^2 - 8x + 16=(x-4)^2\]

So the shift from x^2 is by 4 units.

Answer 3

So now how do I determine if it is a right shift or a left shift? Are those just other ways of saying negative or positive?

Answer 4

@TwinYang ?

Answer 5

left

Answer 6

Okay thanks!