To transform \( f(x) = x^2 \) to \( f(x - 3) + 12 \), we can break it down into two steps:
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Horizontal Shift: The term \( f(x - 3) \) represents a horizontal shift. Specifically, replacing \( x \) with \( x - 3 \) shifts the graph 3 units to the right. So, this step translates the graph of \( f(x) \) to the right by 3 units.
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Vertical Shift: The "+12" outside the function indicates a vertical shift. Adding 12 to the function shifts the graph up by 12 units.
Putting it together, the correct order is:
Shift to the right 3 units and shift up 12 units.
So the answer is: Shift to the right 3 units and shift up 12 units.