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Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

A function f is periodic if there exists a nonzero number p such that f(x + p) = f(s) for all x in the domain of f. The smallest such positive value of p (if it exists) is the period of f. The sine, cosine, secant, and cosecant functions each have a period of 2π, and the other two trigonometric functions have a period of π, as shown in the figure below.

Note in the previous figure that the maximum value of sin x and cos x is 1 and the minimum value is -1. The graphs of the functions y = a sin bx and y = a cos bx oscillate between -a and a, and hence have an amplitude of | a |. Furthermore, because bx = 0 when x = 0 and bx = 2π when x = 2π/b, it follows that the functions y = a sin bx and y = a cos bx each have a period of 2π/| b |. The table below summarizes the amplitudes and periods for some types of trigonometric functions.

 

Example 1

Sketching the Graph of a Trigonometric Function

Sketch the graph of f(x) = 3 cos 2x.

Solution

The graph of f(x) = 3 cos 2x has an amplitude of 3 and a period of 2π/2 = π. Using the basic shape of the graph of the cosine function, sketch one period of the function on the interval [0, π], using the following pattern.

Maximum: (0, 3)    Minimum:    Maximum: [π, 3]

By continuing this pattern, you can sketch several cycles of the graph, as shown in the following figure.

Horizontal shifts, vertical shifts, and reflections can be applied to the graphs of trigonometric functions, as illustrated in Example 2.

 

Example 2

Shifts of Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

Sketch the graphs of the following functions.

Solution

a. To sketch the graph of f(x) = sin(x + π/2), shift the graph of y = sinx to the left π/2 units, as shown in the figure (a) below.

b. To sketch the graph of f(x) = 2 + sin x, shift the graph of y = sin x up two units, as shown in figure (b) below.

c. To sketch the graph of f(x) = 2 + sin(x - π/4), shift the graph of y = sin x up two units and to the right π/4 units, as shown in the figure (c) below.

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