Step by step
The question
Question: graph y = −√(x + 2) + 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 minus in front changes the sign of every y.
Up becomes down.
So the graph flips over the x-axis.
Inside, next to x, we have + 2.
x = −2 makes the inside 0.
So the start point moves to x = −2: left 2.
Outside, at the end, + 1 adds 1 to every y.
So the graph moves up 1.
Careful!
A minus inside flips left and right.
A minus outside flips up and down.
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 left 2.
Then up 1.
(0, 0) goes to (−2, 1).
(1, 1) goes to (−1, 0).
(4, 2) goes to (2, −1).
4 Draw the new graph
Join the new points with the same shape, flipped.
This is y = −√(x + 2) + 1.
5 Check
Let's check.
Put x = −2 in the new rule.
We get y = 1: the point (−2, 1) we drew.
And x = 2 gives y = −1: the point (2, −1).
Let's look back.
First: read the changes.
Then: start from y = √x.
Then: move the points.
Then: draw the new graph.
Last: check.