16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardTranslating a parabola

Advanced Math practice question

The graph of the function g in the xy-plane is the graph of f(x) = x² shifted 3 units to the right and 2 units down. Which equation defines g?

  1. A. g(x) = (x − 3)² − 2Correct
  2. B. g(x) = (x + 3)² − 2
  3. C. g(x) = (x − 3)² + 2
  4. D. g(x) = (x − 2)² − 3

Answer: A. g(x) = (x − 3)² − 2

A shift RIGHT by 3 replaces x with (x − 3); a shift DOWN by 2 subtracts 2 from the output. So g(x) = (x − 3)² − 2, with vertex at (3, −2).

Why the other answers are wrong

B. g(x) = (x + 3)² − 2
(x + 3)² shifts the graph 3 units to the LEFT. Right shifts subtract inside the parentheses.
C. g(x) = (x − 3)² + 2
+2 outside shifts the graph UP. A downward shift subtracts.
D. g(x) = (x − 2)² − 3
This swaps the two shifts: it moves 2 right and 3 down.

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