Y=ln(3-x) How to transform it? What is wrong with my logic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter J_Ly08
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Logic Transform
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the transformation of the function y = ln(3-x). The user initially graphed ln(-x) and attempted to shift it left by 3, but this approach was incorrect. The correct transformation involves reflecting the graph of y = ln(x) across the y-axis to get y = ln(-x), followed by translating it right by 3 units to yield y = ln(-(x - 3)). The confusion arises from misinterpreting the transformation steps, as ln(3-x) does not equate to simply moving ln(-x) left by 3. Clarification on these transformations helps in grasping the correct graph behavior.
J_Ly08
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi, my name is Tim, I am new to this forum. Here's the description:

I don't understand how they've done it. I realize I can plot this, but what is the logic.

As a graph, I drew ln(-x) first, then added 3, so move left by 3 but that was not correct
I can see they've added 3 first, move left 3. Then they minus 1 times x. Or have they done it another way?
Why wasn't the first one correct, it makes sense to me

I also tried another approach which was ln(-(x-3)) so I first drew ln(x-3), and then I minus 1 times x, so I flipped it against the y axis. That also did not work, what is wrong with the logic on this one as well?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
I really don't understand. The graph of \ln(3-x) is the curve which has exactly the same shape as \ln x, only that it is "crosses" the Ox axis in x=2 and diverges rapidly to -\infty in x=3.

In other terms, it the graph of \ln -x (which you get from the graph of \ln x by rotating it around the Oy axis) shifted rightwards on the Ox axis by 3 units.
 
Thanks for the reply. Can you please explain/reword

In other terms, it the graph of ln−x (which you get from the graph of lnx by rotating it around the Oy axis) shifted rightwards on the Ox axis by 3 units.

I'm looking at it as transformation, so just like y=(x^2 + 3) moves x^2 up 3 units. Why isn't y=ln(3-x) moving ln(-x) 3 times to the left? and also to the last part of my question of my first post, if you write it as ln(-(x-3)) why wouldn't that work?

much appreciate for the help
 
J_Ly08 said:
I'm looking at it as transformation, so just like y=(x^2 + 3) moves x^2 up 3 units. Why isn't y=ln(3-x) moving ln(-x) 3 times to the left?
Why not? Because ln(3-x) is not the same as (ln(-x)) - 3

You should be able to show, viewing it as the sum of two logarithms,
ln(-x) - 3 = ln( (-x) / (e³) )
 
J_Ly08 said:
Hi, my name is Tim, I am new to this forum. Here's the description:

I don't understand how they've done it. I realize I can plot this, but what is the logic.

As a graph, I drew ln(-x) first, then added 3, so move left by 3 but that was not correct
Here's why.

Basic function: y = ln(x)
Reflection across y-axis: y = ln(-x)
Translation: y = ln(-x + 3) = ln(-(x - 3))
Notice that this is a translation to the right by 3 units of the graph of y = ln(-x).
J_Ly08 said:
I can see they've added 3 first, move left 3. Then they minus 1 times x. Or have they done it another way?
Why wasn't the first one correct, it makes sense to me

I also tried another approach which was ln(-(x-3)) so I first drew ln(x-3), and then I minus 1 times x, so I flipped it against the y axis. That also did not work, what is wrong with the logic on this one as well?
Draw the basic untransformed graph, y = ln(x)
Reflect across the y-axis to get y = ln(-x)
Translate right by 3 units to get y = ln(-(x - 3)

On the first graph, one point is (1, 0).
On the reflected graph, this point moves to (-1, 0) [Check: ln(-(-1)) = 0]
On the translated graph, this point (in previous step) moves to (2, 0) [Check: ln(-(2 - 3)) = ln(-(-1)) = ln(1) = 0.
 
Thanks for the responses.

After reading mark's reply its starting to clear up more. Much appreciate the help :)
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
Fermat's Last Theorem has long been one of the most famous mathematical problems, and is now one of the most famous theorems. It simply states that the equation $$ a^n+b^n=c^n $$ has no solutions with positive integers if ##n>2.## It was named after Pierre de Fermat (1607-1665). The problem itself stems from the book Arithmetica by Diophantus of Alexandria. It gained popularity because Fermat noted in his copy "Cubum autem in duos cubos, aut quadratoquadratum in duos quadratoquadratos, et...
Thread 'Imaginary Pythagorus'
I posted this in the Lame Math thread, but it's got me thinking. Is there any validity to this? Or is it really just a mathematical trick? Naively, I see that i2 + plus 12 does equal zero2. But does this have a meaning? I know one can treat the imaginary number line as just another axis like the reals, but does that mean this does represent a triangle in the complex plane with a hypotenuse of length zero? Ibix offered a rendering of the diagram using what I assume is matrix* notation...
Back
Top