16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumTranslating an exponential graph

Advanced Math practice question

The graph of y = 2ˣ in the xy-plane is translated 3 units to the right and 1 unit down. Which of the following is an equation of the resulting graph?

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

Answer: A. y = 2^(x − 3) − 1

A shift right by 3 replaces x with x − 3; a shift down by 1 subtracts 1: y = 2^(x − 3) − 1.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = 2^(x + 3) − 1
x + 3 shifts the graph left.
C. y = 2^(x − 3) + 1
+1 shifts the graph up.
D. y = 2ˣ − 4
Subtracting 4 only moves the graph down; there is no horizontal shift.

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