force figure to be in place latex code example

Example 1: Start Image from top of page Latex

I assume you issue a \clearpage (or something similar) just before using \begin{figure}...\end{figure}, right? If this is the case, add \mbox{} (or \null) after the figure environment before starting a new \chapter and your alignment should be fixed. Since there's nothing else on the page, LaTeX centres it, since that would be the best way to present the information.

Example 2: move a figure to left latex

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\hspace*{-2cm}                                                           
   \includegraphics[scale=0.35]{MEAInitialProb1.pdf}%
\hspace{2mm}%                
    \includegraphics[scale=0.35]{MEA10Prob1.pdf}% 
\hspace{2mm}%             
    \includegraphics[scale=0.35]{MEA20Prob1.pdf}                               

  \caption{Caption}
  \label{fig:Prob1:MEA}
\end{figure}