Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cubic Functions
A cubic function is a polynomial function of degree three, typically expressed in the form f(x) = ax³ + bx² + cx + d. The graph of a cubic function can exhibit various shapes, including inflection points and changes in direction. Understanding the basic shape of the standard cubic function, f(x) = x³, is essential for recognizing how transformations affect its graph.
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Graph Transformations
Graph transformations involve shifting, reflecting, stretching, or compressing the graph of a function. For example, the transformation g(x) = (x - 3)³ represents a horizontal shift of the standard cubic function f(x) = x³ to the right by 3 units. Mastery of these transformations allows students to manipulate and graph functions based on their parent functions.
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Horizontal Shifts
A horizontal shift occurs when the graph of a function is moved left or right along the x-axis. In the function g(x) = (x - 3)³, the '-3' indicates a shift to the right by 3 units. Understanding horizontal shifts is crucial for accurately graphing transformed functions and predicting their behavior based on the original function.
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