Step by step
The question
Question: graph y = 2√(x − 1) from y = √x.
We know the graph of y = √x.
It is half a U, lying on its side.
1 Read the changes
The 2 in front makes every y 2 times as big.
The graph gets steeper.
Inside, next to x, we have − 1.
x = 1 makes the inside 0.
So the start point moves to x = 1: right 1.
Careful!
Inside, it goes the opposite way to the sign.
2 Start from y = √x
Draw the grid.
Draw y = √x first.
It goes through (0, 0), (1, 1) and (4, 2).
3 Move the points
The start point (0, 0) moves right 1.
(0, 0) goes to (1, 0).
(1, 1) goes to (2, 2).
(4, 2) goes to (5, 4).
4 Draw the new graph
Join the new points with the same shape.
This is y = 2√(x − 1).
5 Check
Let's check.
Put x = 1 in the new rule.
We get y = 0: the point (1, 0) we drew.
And x = 5 gives y = 4: the point (5, 4).
Let's look back.
First: read the changes.
Then: start from y = √x.
Then: move the points.
Then: draw the new graph.
Last: check.