How Can You Determine Point-Rotational Symmetry of a General Function?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on determining point-rotational symmetry of a general function f(x) about an arbitrary point (h, v). The key equations established are that if f(x) = f(-x), the function exhibits symmetry about the y-axis, while if f(x) = -f(-x), it is point-rotational about the origin. The user, Unit, explores the transformation of functions to express point-rotation about (h, v) and concludes that if f(x) = -f(-x + 2h) + 2v, the function's graph is indeed point-rotational about (h, v). The discussion emphasizes the importance of translating points in the xy-plane for general functions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of function symmetry, specifically f(x) = f(-x) and f(x) = -f(-x).
  • Knowledge of function transformations, including translations in the xy-plane.
  • Familiarity with polynomial functions, particularly cubic functions like f(x) = x^3.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills to derive expressions from given equations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of symmetry in functions, focusing on point-rotational symmetry.
  • Study function transformations, particularly how to translate functions in the xy-plane.
  • Explore more complex examples of point-rotational symmetry using different types of functions.
  • Learn about graphical interpretations of symmetry and transformations in calculus.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, educators, and anyone interested in advanced function analysis and symmetry properties in algebra and calculus.

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Homework Statement


Given f(x), find an expression to check whether f(x) has rotational symmetry about any arbitrary point (h, v).

Homework Equations


If [tex]f(x) = f(-x)[/tex] then the function is symmetrical about the y-axis.

If [tex]f(x) = -f(-x)[/tex] then the function is point-rotational about the origin.

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know how to deal with "general" functions, so I did this:

Let [tex]f(x) = x^3 + v[/tex] because I know it has this symmetry.
[tex]f(-x) = (-x)^3 + v[/tex]
[tex]f(-x) = -x^3 + v[/tex]
[tex]-f(-x) = x^3 - v[/tex]

Then I found the difference between f(x) and -f(-x).

[tex]f(x) - (-f(-x)) = (x^3 + v) - (x^3 - v)[/tex]
[tex]f(x) + f(-x) = 2v[/tex]
[tex]f(x) = -f(-x) + 2v[/tex]

This gives me point-rotation about (0, v). But how do I do this for just a "general" function?

Also, I can guess that point-rotation about (h, 0) will be something like [tex]f(x) = -f(-x+2h)[/tex], based on knowledge of transformations, but how do I show this as elegantly as above with (0, v)?

From this, I can guess that if [tex]f(x) = -f(-x+2h)+2v[/tex] for a real point (h, v), then the function's graph is point-rotational about (h, v). Is this correct?

Cheers,
Unit

p.s. I made this problem up for myself, if that's okay.
 
Last edited:
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You don't mean "general function" you mean "general point".

Given a point (u, v) in the xy-plane, you can "translate" (u, v) to (0, 0) by subtracting u from x and v from y. f(x) becomes f(x- u) and y= f(x) becomes y- v= f(x- u) or, finally, y= f(x- u)+ v. Now, what happens if you replace x with -x?
 

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