Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 1 - Precalculus Review - 1.1 Real Numbers, Functions, and Graphs - Exercises - Page 12: 85

Answer

(a) The graph of function $f(x)=|x-2|$ is symmetric about the line $x=2$. See graph below. (b) Let $f(x)$ be symmetric about line $x=a$, which means $f(a-x)=f(a+x)$. Now, for function $g(x)=f(x+a)$, we have $g(-x)=f(-x+a)=f(a-x)=f(a+x)=f(x+a)=g(x)$ using the symmetry of $f(x)$ about line $x=a$. Since, $g(-x)=g(x)$, so, $g(x)$ is even function. Hence, proved.

Work Step by Step

(a) Note that for the function $f(x)=|x-2|$, we have $f(2-x)=|(2-x)-2|=|x|=|(x+2)-2|=f(2+x)$, so, the function $f(x)$ is symmetric function about line $x=2$. (b) This part can be done as follows: Step 1: Write the property we get from symmetry of function $f(x)$ about line $x=a$. Step 2: Evaluate $g(-x)$ and if $g(-x)=g(x)$, then, the proof is done and function $g(x)$ is even function.
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