Suppose [tex]$f(x)=x^2$[/tex] and [tex]$g(x)=7x^2$[/tex]. Which statement best compares the graph of [tex][tex]$g(x)$[/tex][/tex] with the graph of [tex]$f(x)$[/tex]?

A. The graph of [tex]$g(x)$[/tex] is the graph of [tex][tex]$f(x)$[/tex][/tex] horizontally stretched by a factor of 7.
B. The graph of [tex]$g(x)$[/tex] is the graph of [tex]$f(x)$[/tex] vertically compressed by a factor of 7.
C. The graph of [tex][tex]$g(x)$[/tex][/tex] is the graph of [tex]$f(x)$[/tex] shifted 7 units up.
D. The graph of [tex]$g(x)$[/tex] is the graph of [tex][tex]$f(x)$[/tex][/tex] vertically stretched by a factor of 7.



Answer :

To compare the graphs of the two functions [tex]\( f(x) = x^2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( g(x) = 7 x^2 \)[/tex], let's analyze the transformations involved.

1. Original Function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex]:
- The function [tex]\( f(x) = x^2 \)[/tex] is a basic quadratic function. Its graph is a parabola that opens upwards, with its vertex at the origin (0,0).

2. Transformed Function [tex]\( g(x) \)[/tex]:
- The function [tex]\( g(x) = 7 x^2 \)[/tex] is another quadratic function, but multiplied by a factor of 7. This means each y-value of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] is multiplied by 7 to get [tex]\( g(x) \)[/tex].

To understand how this multiplication affects the graph, let's consider some points:
- For [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex],
- [tex]\( f(1) = 1^2 = 1 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( g(1) = 7(1^2) = 7 \)[/tex]
- For [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex],
- [tex]\( f(2) = 2^2 = 4 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( g(2) = 7(2^2) = 28 \)[/tex]
- For [tex]\( x = -1 \)[/tex],
- [tex]\( f(-1) = (-1)^2 = 1 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( g(-1) = 7((-1)^2) = 7 \)[/tex]

From these points, we can see:

- When [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex], the y-value in [tex]\( g(x) \)[/tex] is 7 times that in [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex].
- When [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex], the y-value in [tex]\( g(x) \)[/tex] is also 7 times that in [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex].
- This pattern holds for any value of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]: [tex]\( g(x) = 7 \times f(x) \)[/tex].

Conclusion:
The factor of 7 affects only the vertical stretch of the graph. Specifically, it multiplies all the y-values by 7, stretching the graph vertically by a factor of 7.

Therefore, the correct statement is:

D. The graph of [tex]\( g(x) \)[/tex] is the graph of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] vertically stretched by a factor of 7.