Final answer:
The function g(x) = f(x) - 5 is shifted 5 units down compared to the original function f(x) = x^2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how the function g(x) = f(x) - 5 compares to the function f(x) = x^2, we need to understand the effects of the transformation. The subtraction of 5 from f(x) will shift the graph downward by 5 units, resulting in g(x). Therefore, the correct statement is that g(x) is shifted 5 units DOWN.