A translation slides every point on a figure the same distance in a certain direction. Translations in quadratics will appear on the ACT. The basic quadratic equation is f(x) = x2 . Adding or subtracting values outside the entire expression shifts the graph up for addition and down for subtraction. Adding or subtracting values with each x value within the expression shifts the graph to the left for addition and right for subtraction.
Examples: f(x) = x2 + 2 shifts the graph up 2 units. f(x) = (x - 3)2 shifts the graph to the right 3 units.