Radical Functions: Graphing Radical Functions and Domain and Range

section warm-up icon Section Warm-Up

In order to prepare for this section, let's review how the values of "a", "h", and "k" affect the graph of the parent function y = x2.

Answer each of the following questions and use your prior knowledge of graphing quadratic functions. Once you have your answer, click on each question to reveal the solution.

think icon In the equation y = a(x - h)2 + k, how does the "a" value affect the graph of the parent function y = x2?

The "a" value either stretches the graph if absolute value of a > 1 or compresses the graph if
0 < absolute value of a < 1. If "a" is negative, the graph is reflected across the x-axis.
 

think icon In the equation y = a(x - h)2 + k, how does the "h" value affect the graph of the parent function y = x2?
 

The "h" value moves the graph horizontally. If h < 0 then the graph moves to the left. If h > 0 then the graph moves to the right.
 

think icon In the equation y = a(x - h)2 + k, how does the "k" value affect the graph of the parent function y = x2?
 

The "k" value moves the graph vertically. If k < 0 the graph moves down. If k > 0 the graph moves up.