Sure! Stretching a function can really change its shape and how it works. Let’s break it down:

1. Vertical Stretching: If you multiply the function by a number bigger than 1 (like $2f(x)$), it makes the graph taller. For example, if we start with a parabola $f(x) = x^2$, when we change it to $2f(x) = 2x^2$, it reaches higher up.

2. Horizontal Stretching: This happens when you multiply the input by a number between 0 and 1 (like $f(0.5x)$). This flattens the graph out. So, the same parabola becomes wider and looks more spread out.

In simple words, these changes not only make the graph look different but also change how the functions behave!