Why does the translation y=f(x+2) translate the graph f(x) 2 units left instead of 2 to the right?

It seems like f(x+2) should translate the graph y=f(x) 2 to the right, it is +2 inside the bracket after all? However, if we think of the translation as actually subbing in x+2 into the equation y=f(x), it may become more intuitive. For example, take f(x)=x2, this will give f(x+2)=(x+2)2. Look at when x2=0 and when (x+2)2=0. This will happen at x=0 and x=-2 respectively. Subsequently, the point (0,0) from (x,f(x)) has become (-2,0) in (x,f(x+2)). This means it has been moved 2 to the left. More generally, if we thing of any point on the graph y=f(x), the translation of f(x+2) will take values of f(x) that are 2 to the right of it. This will make y=f(x+2) 2 units left of the y=f(x).

SH
Answered by Seth H. Maths tutor

9960 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A bag contains 5 blue marbles and 5 red marbles. If marbles are NOT replaced after being selected from the bag, what is the probability (in percentage) of picking 2 red marbles? Give your answer to one decimal place.


Solve this quadratic equation 3x(squared)-7=101


Find W where: 11-W/4 = 1+W


How to solve rates of change questions?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning