horizontal translation - shifting the graph horizontally (in cyclic curves we call this a phase shift)
vertical translation - shifting the curve vertically
reflection - reflecting the curve in the $y$y-axis
dilation - changing the dilation of the curve (in cyclic curves this effect typically changes the amplitude)

Before we move into the nuts and bolts about how these are reflected in the equations of a $\tan$tan function let's get an idea by exploring this applet.

Can you make the graph translate horizontally and can you see how this is represented in the equation?
Can you make the graph translate vertically and can you see how this is represented in the equation?
Can you reflect the graph in the $y$y-axis, and see how this is represented in the equation?
Can you change the vertical dilation, and see how this is represented in the equation?
Change the period, and see how this is represented in the equation?

Created with Geogebra

The general form

The general form of the tan functions is

$f\left(x\right)=a\tan\left(bx-c\right)+d$f(x)=atan(bx−c)+d

AMPLITUDE

As tangent functions reach to infinity in both directions of the $y$y-axis, there is no amplitude.

DILATION

The vertical dilation (a stretching or shrinking in the same direction as the $y$y-axis) occurs when the value of a is not one.
If $|a|>1$|a|>1, then the graph is stretched
If $|a|<1$|a|<1 then the graph is compressed
Have another look at the applet above now, and change the a value. Can you see the stretching and shrinking?
The horizontal dilation (a stretching of shrinking in the same direction as the $x$x-axis) occurs when the period is changed, see the next point.

Reflection

If $a$a is negative, then there is a reflection. Have a look at the applet above and make $a$ negative, can you see what this does to the curve?

PERIOD

The period is calculated using $\frac{\pi}{b}$πb
From a graph you can read the value for the period directly by measuring the distance for one complete cycle.
For a tangent function this occurs between the asymptotes.
When the period is increased, ie is$>\pi$>π, then the graphs horizontal dilation can be described as a stretch.
When the period is decrease, ie is $<\pi$<π, then the graphs horizontal dilation can be described as being shrunk or compressed.

VERTICAL TRANSLATION

The whole function is shifted by $d$d units.
From an equation you can read the value from the equation directly. If $d>0$d>0 then the graph is translated up, if $d<0$d<0 then the graph is translated down.

PHASE SHIFT

The phase shift is the comparable transformation to a horizontal translation. The phase shift is found by calculating $\frac{c}{b}$cb from the equation

Notes about constructing equations from graphs.

To construct an equation of the form $f\left(x\right)=a\tan\left(bx-c\right)+d$f(x)=atan(bx−c)+d from a graph you will need to determine the values of the period first (this gives you $b$b) and then use that to find $c$c (using the phase shift). A small amount of algebraic manipulation will get help you find them.

Worked Examples

Question 1

How has the graph $y=5\tan x$y=5tanx been transformed from $y=\tan x$y=tanx?

Choose one of the following options:
Vertical dilation by a scale factor of $5$5.
A
Horizontal dilation by a scale factor of $5$5.
B
Vertical dilation by a scale factor of $\frac{1}{5}$15.
C
Horizontal translation by $5$5 to the right.
D

Question 2

Select all functions that have the same graph as $y=-\tan x$y=−tanx.

$y=-\tan\left(x+\frac{3\pi}{4}\right)$y=−tan(x+3π4)
A
$y=-\tan\left(x+\pi\right)$y=−tan(x+π)
B
$y=-\tan\left(x+\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$y=−tan(x+π2)
C
$y=-\tan\left(x+2\pi\right)$y=−tan(x+2π)
D

Question 3

The graph $y=\tan x$y=tanx (shown below) is reflected over the $y$y-axis and then translated vertically $3$3 units $down$ .

Loading Graph...

The function $y=\tan x$y=tanx is plotted on a Cartesian plane. The x-axis ranges from $-\pi$−π to $\pi$π, and marked in intervals of major intervals of $\frac{1}{2}$12$\pi$π, and minor intervals of $\frac{1}{4}$14$\pi$π. The y-axis ranges from -2 to 2, and marked in intervals of 1. Vertical dashed lines are drawn at $x=\frac{-1}{2}$x=−12$\pi$π and $x=\frac{1}{2}$x=12$\pi$π, indicating the vertical asymptotes.

Write the equation of the new graph.

Outcomes

11.SF.TF.1

Positive and negative angles. Measuring angles in radians and in degrees and conversion from one measure to another. Definition of trigonometric functions with the help of unit circle. Truth of the identity sin^2 x + cos^2 x = 1, for all x. Signs of trigonometric functions and sketch of their graphs. Expressing sin (x + y) and cos (x + y) in terms of sin x, sin y, cos x and cos y. Deducing the identities like following: cot(x + or - y), sin x + sin y, cos x + cos y, sin x - sin y, cos x - cos y (see syllabus document)

Transformations of tangent curves and equations