Instructor: Neil B.

Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS

What you should learn Basic Sine and Cosine Curves
• Sketch the graphs of basic sine and
cosine functions. In this section, you will study techniques for sketching the graphs of the sine and cosine
• Use amplitude and period to help functions. The graph of the sine function is a sine curve. In Figure 1.47, the black
sketch the graphs of sine and cosine portion of the graph represents one period of the function and is called one cycle of the
functions. sine curve. The gray portion of the graph indicates that the basic sine curve repeats
• Sketch translations of the graphs indefinitely in the positive and negative directions. The graph of the cosine function is
of sine and cosine functions. shown in Figure 1.48.
• Use sine and cosine functions to Recall from Module 1 that the domain of the sine and cosine functions is the set
model real-life data. of all real numbers. Moreover, the range of each function is the interval 关1, 1兴, and
each function has a period of 2. Do you see how this information is consistent with
Why you should learn it the basic graphs shown in Figures 1.47 and 1.48?
Sine and cosine functions are
often used in scientific calculations. y
For instance,you can use a y = sin x
trigonometric function to model the
1
airflow of your respiratory cycle.

Range:
x
−1 ≤ y ≤ 1
−π
− 3π −π π π 3π 2π 5π
2 2 2 2 2

−1
Period: 2π

FIGURE 1.47

1 y = cos x
© Karl Weatherly/Corbis

Range:
x
−1 ≤ y ≤ 1 −π
− 3π π π 3π 2π 5π
2 2 2 2

−1
Period: 2 π

FIGURE 1.48

Note in Figures 1.47 and 1.48 that the sine curve is symmetric with respect to
the origin, whereas the cosine curve is symmetric with respect to the y-axis. These
properties of symmetry follow from the fact that the sine function is odd and the cosine
function is even.

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 1 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

To sketch the graphs of the basic sine and cosine functions by hand, it helps to note
five key points in one period of each graph: the intercepts, maximum points, and
minimum points (see Figure 1.49).

y y

Maximum Intercept Minimum Intercept Intercept Minimum Intercept Maximum

π,1
Intercept
2 ( )y = sin x (0, 1) Maximum y = cos x (2π, 1)

(π , 0) (32π , −1) ( π2 , 0) ( 32π , 0)

x x
(0, 0) (2π, 0)
Quarter Half Quarter (π , −1) Full
period period Full period period
period Three-quarter
Period: 2π Three-quarter Period: 2π Half period
period period
FIGURE 1.49

Example 1 Using Key Points to Sketch a Sine Curve

Sketch the graph of y  2 sin x on the interval 关 , 4兴.

Solution
Note that
y  2 sin x  2共sin x兲
indicates that the y-values for the key points will have twice the magnitude of those on
the graph of y  sin x. Divide the period 2 into four equal parts to get the key points
for y  2 sin x.
Intercept Maximum Intercept Minimum Intercept

共0, 0兲, 冢2 , 2冣, 共, 0兲, 冢32, 2冣, and 共2, 0兲

By connecting these key points with a smooth curve and extending the curve in both
directions over the interval 关 , 4兴, you obtain the graph shown in Figure 1.50.

T E C H N O LO G Y 3
y = 2 sin x
When using a graphing utility to 2
graph trigonometric functions,
1
pay special attention to the viewing
window you use. For instance, x
try graphing y ⴝ [sin冇10x冈]/10 − π2 3π
2
5π
2
7π
2
in the standard viewing window y = sin x
in radian mode. What do you
−2
observe? Use the zoom feature
to find a viewing window that
FIGURE 1.50
displays a good view of the graph.

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 2 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Amplitude and Period

In the remainder of this section you will study the graphic effect of each of the
constants a, b, c, and d in equations of the forms
y  d  a sin共bx  c兲
and
y  d  a cos共bx  c兲.
A quick review of the transformations you studied in Section P.8 should help in this
investigation.
The constant factor a in y  a sin x acts as a scaling factor—a vertical stretch or
ⱍⱍ
vertical shrink of the basic sine curve. If a > 1, the basic sine curve is stretched, and
ⱍⱍ
if a < 1, the basic sine curve is shrunk. The result is that the graph of y  a sin x
ranges between a and a instead of between 1 and 1. The absolute value of a is the
amplitude of the function y  a sin x. The range of the function y  a sin x for a > 0
is a  y  a.

Definition of Amplitude of Sine and Cosine Curves

The amplitude of y  a sin x and y  a cos x represents half the distance
between the maximum and minimum values of the function and is given by
Amplitude  a . ⱍⱍ

Example 2 Scaling: Vertical Shrinking and Stretching

On the same coordinate axes, sketch the graph of each function.

1
a. y  cos x b. y  3 cos x
2

Solution
y
y = 3 cos x
a. Because the amplitude of y  12 cos x is 12, the maximum value is 12 and the minimum
3 value is  12. Divide one cycle, 0  x  2, into four equal parts to get the key
y = cos x points
Maximum Intercept Minimum Intercept Maximum

x 冢0, 12冣, 冢2 , 0冣, 冢,  12冣, 冢32, 0冣, and 冢2, 12冣.
2π
−1 b. A similar analysis shows that the amplitude of y  3 cos x is 3, and the key points
are
−2
1 Maximum Intercept Minimum Intercept Maximum
−3 y= cos x
2

FIGURE 1.51 共0, 3兲, 冢2 , 0冣, 共, 3兲, 冢32, 0冣, and 共2, 3兲.

The graphs of these two functions are shown in Figure 1.51. Notice that the graph
of y  12 cos x is a vertical shrink of the graph of y  cos x and the graph of y  3 cos x
is a vertical stretch of the graph of y  cos x.

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 3 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

y = 3 cos x
y
y = −3 cos x You know from Section P.8 that the graph of y  f 共x兲 is a reflection in the
3
x-axis of the graph of y  f 共x兲. For instance, the graph of y  3 cos x is a reflection
of the graph of y  3 cos x, as shown in Figure 1.52.
Because y  a sin x completes one cycle from x  0 to x  2, it follows that
1
y  a sin bx completes one cycle from x  0 to x  2兾b.

x
−π π 2π
Period of Sine and Cosine Functions
Let b be a positive real number. The period of y  a sin bx and y  a cos bx is
given by
−3 2
Period  .
b
FIGURE 1.52

Note that if 0 < b < 1, the period of y  a sin bx is greater than 2 and
represents a horizontal stretching of the graph of y  a sin x. Similarly, if b > 1, the
period of y  a sin bx is less than 2 and represents a horizontal shrinking of the graph
of y  a sin x. If b is negative, the identities sin共x兲  sin x and cos共x兲  cos x
are used to rewrite the function.

Example 3 Scaling: Horizontal Stretching

x
Sketch the graph of y  sin .
2

Solution
The amplitude is 1. Moreover, because b  12, the period is
2 2
 1  4. Substitute for b.
b 2

Now, divide the period-interval 关0, 4兴 into four equal parts with the values , 2, and
3 to obtain the key points on the graph.
Intercept Maximum Intercept Minimum Intercept
In general, to divide a 共0, 0兲, 共, 1兲, 共2, 0兲, 共3, 1兲, and 共4, 0兲
period-interval into four equal The graph is shown in Figure 1.53.
parts, successively add
“period兾4,” starting with the y
left endpoint of the interval. For y = sin x y = sin x
2
instance, for the period-interval 1
关 兾6, 兾2兴 of length 2兾3,
you would successively add x
−π π
2兾3 
 −1
4 6
to get  兾6, 0, 兾6, 兾3, and Period: 4π
兾2 as the x-values for the key FIGURE 1.53
points on the graph.

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 4 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Translations of Sine and Cosine Curves

The constant c in the general equations
y  a sin共bx  c兲 and y  a cos共bx  c兲
creates a horizontal translation (shift) of the basic sine and cosine curves. Comparing
y  a sin bx with y  a sin共bx  c兲, you find that the graph of y  a sin共bx  c兲
completes one cycle from bx  c  0 to bx  c  2. By solving for x, you can find
the interval for one cycle to be
Left endpoint Right endpoint

c c 2
 x   .
b b b
Period

This implies that the period of y  a sin共bx  c兲 is 2兾b, and the graph of y  a sin bx
is shifted by an amount c兾b. The number c兾b is the phase shift.

Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions

The graphs of y  a sin共bx  c兲 and y  a cos共bx  c兲 have the following
characteristics. (Assume b > 0.)
2
Amplitude  a ⱍⱍ Period 
b
The left and right endpoints of a one-cycle interval can be determined by solving
the equations bx  c  0 and bx  c  2.

Example 4 Horizontal Translation


冢 冣
1
Analyze the graph of y  sin x  .
2 3

Algebraic Solution Graphical Solution

The amplitude is 12 and the period is 2. By solving the equations Use a graphing utility set in radian mode to graph
y  共1兾2兲 sin共x  兾3兲, as shown in Figure 1.54.
 
x 0 x Use the minimum, maximum, and zero or root
3 3
features of the graphing utility to approximate the
and key points 共1.05, 0兲, 共2.62, 0.5兲, 共4.19, 0兲,
共5.76, 0.5兲, and 共7.33, 0兲.
 7
x  2 x
3 3 1 π
you see that the interval 关兾3, 7兾3兴 corresponds to one cycle of the
1 y=
2 ( (
sin x −
3
graph. Dividing this interval into four equal parts produces the key
− 5
points 2 2

Intercept Maximum Intercept Minimum Intercept

冢3 , 0冣, 冢56, 12冣, 冢43, 0冣, 冢116,  12冣, 冢73, 0冣.
−1
and
FIGURE 1.54

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 5 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

y = −3 cos(2 πx + 4 π) Example 5 Horizontal Translation

y
Sketch the graph of
3
y  3 cos共2x  4兲.
2
Solution
The amplitude is 3 and the period is 2兾2  1. By solving the equations
x
−2 1 2 x  4  0
2 x  4
x  2
−3
Period 1 and
FIGURE 1.55 2 x  4  2
2 x  2
x  1
you see that the interval 关2, 1兴 corresponds to one cycle of the graph. Dividing this
interval into four equal parts produces the key points
Minimum Intercept Maximum Intercept Minimum

共2, 3兲, 冢 7
 ,0 ,
4 冣 冢 3
冣
 ,3 ,
2 冢 5
 ,0 ,
4 冣 and 共1, 3兲.

The graph is shown in Figure 1.55.

The final type of transformation is the vertical translation caused by the constant
d in the equations
y  d  a sin共bx  c兲
and
y  d  a cos共bx  c兲.
The shift is d units upward for d > 0 and d units downward for d < 0. In other words,
the graph oscillates about the horizontal line y  d instead of about the x-axis.

Example 6 Vertical Translation

y
y = 2 + 3 cos 2x
5 Sketch the graph of
y  2  3 cos 2x.

Solution
The amplitude is 3 and the period is . The key points over the interval 关0, 兴 are
1

x
共0, 5兲, 冢4 , 2冣, 冢2 , 1冣, 冢34, 2冣, and 共, 5兲.
−π π
The graph is shown in Figure 1.56. Compared with the graph of f 共x兲  3 cos 2x, the
−1
graph of y  2  3 cos 2x is shifted upward two units.
Period π
FIGURE 1.56

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 6 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Mathematical Modeling
Sine and cosine functions can be used to model many real-life situations, including
electric currents, musical tones, radio waves, tides, and weather patterns.

Time, t Depth, y Example 7 Finding a Trigonometric Model

Midnight 3.4 Throughout the day, the depth of water at the end of a dock in Bar Harbor, Maine varies
2 A.M. 8.7 with the tides. The table shows the depths (in feet) at various times during the
4 A.M. 11.3 morning. (Source: Nautical Software, Inc.)
6 A.M. 9.1 a. Use a trigonometric function to model the data.
8 A.M. 3.8
b. Find the depths at 9 A.M. and 3 P.M.
10 A.M. 0.1
c. A boat needs at least 10 feet of water to moor at the dock. During what times in the
Noon 1.2 afternoon can it safely dock?

Solution
Changing Tides a. Begin by graphing the data, as shown in Figure 1.57. You can use either a sine or a
y
cosine model. Suppose you use a cosine model of the form
12
y  a cos共bt  c兲  d.
10
Depth (in feet)

The difference between the maximum height and the minimum height of the graph
8
is twice the amplitude of the function. So, the amplitude is
6
1 1
4 a  关共maximum depth兲  共minimum depth兲兴  共11.3  0.1兲  5.6.
2 2
2
t The cosine function completes one half of a cycle between the times at which the
4 A.M. 8 A.M. Noon maximum and minimum depths occur. So, the period is
Time
p  2关共time of min. depth兲  共time of max. depth兲兴  2共10  4兲  12
FIGURE 1.57
which implies that b  2兾p ⬇ 0.524. Because high tide occurs 4 hours after
midnight, consider the left endpoint to be c兾b  4, so c ⬇ 2.094. Moreover,
because the average depth is 12 共11.3  0.1兲  5.7, it follows that d  5.7. So, you
can model the depth with the function given by
y  5.6 cos共0.524t  2.094兲  5.7.
b. The depths at 9 A.M. and 3 P.M. are as follows.
y  5.6 cos共0.524  9  2.094兲  5.7
(14.7, 10) (17.3, 10) ⬇ 0.84 foot 9 A.M.
12
y  5.6 cos共0.524  15  2.094兲  5.7
y = 10 ⬇ 10.57 feet 3 P.M.

c. To find out when the depth y is at least 10 feet, you can graph the model with the
line y  10 using a graphing utility, as shown in Figure 1.58. Using the intersect
0 24
0 feature, you can determine that the depth is at least 10 feet between 2:42 P.M.
y = 5.6 cos(0.524t − 2.094) + 5.7 共t ⬇
and 5:18 兲 . 共t ⬇ 17.3兲.
P.M
14.7
FIGURE 1.58

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 7 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

What you should learn
Graph of the Tangent Function
• Sketch the graphs of tangent
functions. Recall that the tangent function is odd. That is, tan共x兲  tan x. Consequently, the
• Sketch the graphs of cotangent graph of y  tan x is symmetric with respect to the origin. You also know from the
functions. identity tan x  sin x兾cos x that the tangent is undefined for values at which cos x  0.
• Sketch the graphs of secant and Two such values are x  ± 兾2 ⬇ ± 1.5708.
cosecant functions.
• Sketch the graphs of damped    
trigonometric functions. x  1.57 1.5  0 1.5 1.57
2 4 4 2
Why you should learn it tan x Undef. 1255.8 14.1 1 0 1 14.1 1255.8 Undef.
Graphs of trigonometric functions can
be used to model real-life situations
such as the distance from a television As indicated in the table, tan x increases without bound as x approaches 兾2 from the
camera to a unit in a parade. left, and decreases without bound as x approaches  兾2 from the right. So, the graph
of y  tan x has vertical asymptotes at x  兾2 and x   兾2, as shown in
Figure 1.59. Moreover, because the period of the tangent function is , vertical
asymptotes also occur when x  兾2  n, where n is an integer. The domain of the
tangent function is the set of all real numbers other than x  兾2  n, and the range
is the set of all real numbers.

y y = tan x
PERIOD: 
3 
DOMAIN: ALL x  2  n
Photodisc/Getty Images

2 RANGE: 共 , 兲

VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  2  n
1
SYMMETRY: ORIGIN
x
− 3π −π π π 3π
2 2 2 2

−3

FIGURE 1.59

Sketching the graph of y  a tan共bx  c兲 is similar to sketching the graph of

y  a sin共bx  c兲 in that you locate key points that identify the intercepts and asymptotes.
Two consecutive vertical asymptotes can be found by solving the equations
 
bx  c   and bx  c  .
2 2
The midpoint between two consecutive vertical asymptotes is an x-intercept of the
graph. The period of the function y  a tan共bx  c兲 is the distance between two
consecutive vertical asymptotes. The amplitude of a tangent function is not defined.
After plotting the asymptotes and the x-intercept, plot a few additional points between
the two asymptotes and sketch one cycle. Finally, sketch one or two additional cycles
to the left and right.

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 8 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

y y = tan
x Example 1 Sketching the Graph of a Tangent Function
2
3 Sketch the graph of y  tan共x兾2兲.
2 Solution
1 By solving the equations
x x  x 
−π π 3π  and 
2 2 2 2
x   x

−3 you can see that two consecutive vertical asymptotes occur at x    and x  .
Between these two asymptotes, plot a few points, including the x-intercept, as shown in
FIGURE 1.60 the table. Three cycles of the graph are shown in Figure 1.60.

 
x   0 
2 2
x
tan Undef. 1 0 1 Undef.
2

Example 2 Sketching the Graph of a Tangent Function

Sketch the graph of y  3 tan 2x.

Solution
By solving the equations
y y = −3 tan 2x
 
6 2x   and 2x 
2 2
 
x x
4 4
x
you can see that two consecutive vertical asymptotes occur at x   兾4 and x  兾4.
− 3π − π −π π π 3π
4 2 4 −2 4 2 4 Between these two asymptotes, plot a few points, including the x-intercept, as shown in
the table. Three cycles of the graph are shown in Figure 1.61.
−4

−6
   
FIGURE 1.61 x   0
4 8 8 4
3 tan 2x Undef. 3 0 3 Undef.

By comparing the graphs in Examples 1 and 2, you can see that the graph of
y  a tan共bx  c兲 increases between consecutive vertical asymptotes when a > 0, and
decreases between consecutive vertical asymptotes when a < 0. In other words, the graph
for a < 0 is a reflection in the x-axis of the graph for a > 0.

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 9 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Graph of the Cotangent Function

The graph of the cotangent function is similar to the graph of the tangent function. It
also has a period of . However, from the identity
cos x
y  cot x 
sin x
you can see that the cotangent function has vertical asymptotes when sin x is zero,
which occurs at x  n, where n is an integer. The graph of the cotangent function is
T E C H N O LO G Y shown in Figure 1.62. Note that two consecutive vertical asymptotes of the graph of
y  a cot共bx  c兲 can be found by solving the equations bx  c  0 and bx  c  .
Some graphing utilities have
difficulty graphing trigonometric
y y = cot x
functions that have vertical PERIOD: 
asymptotes. Your graphing utility 3 DOMAIN: ALL x  n
may connect parts of the graphs RANGE: 共 , 兲
2
of tangent, cotangent, secant, VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  n
and cosecant functions that are 1
SYMMETRY: ORIGIN
not supposed to be connected.
x
To eliminate this problem, −π 3π
−π π π 2π
change the mode of the graphing 2 2 2
utility to dot mode.

FIGURE 1.62

y y = 2 cot x Example 3 Sketching the Graph of a Cotangent Function

3
3 x
Sketch the graph of y  2 cot .
2
3

1 Solution
x By solving the equations
−2π π 3π 4π 6π
x x
0 and 
3 3
x0 x  3
you can see that two consecutive vertical asymptotes occur at x  0 and x  3.
FIGURE 1.63 Between these two asymptotes, plot a few points, including the x-intercept, as shown in
the table. Three cycles of the graph are shown in Figure 1.63. Note that the period is
3, the distance between consecutive asymptotes.

3 3 9
x 0 3
4 2 4
x
2 cot Undef. 2 0 2 Undef.
3

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 10 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Graphs of the Reciprocal Functions

The graphs of the two remaining trigonometric functions can be obtained from the
graphs of the sine and cosine functions using the reciprocal identities
1 1
csc x  and sec x  .
sin x cos x
For instance, at a given value of x, the y-coordinate of sec x is the reciprocal of the
y-coordinate of cos x. Of course, when cos x  0, the reciprocal does not exist. Near
such values of x, the behavior of the secant function is similar to that of the tangent
function. In other words, the graphs of
sin x 1
tan x  and sec x 
cos x cos x
have vertical asymptotes at x  兾2  n, where n is an integer, and the cosine is zero
at these x-values. Similarly,
cos x 1
cot x  and csc x 
sin x sin x
have vertical asymptotes where sin x  0 —that is, at x  n.
To sketch the graph of a secant or cosecant function, you should first make a sketch
of its reciprocal function. For instance, to sketch the graph of y  csc x, first sketch the
graph of y  sin x. Then take reciprocals of the y-coordinates to obtain points on the
graph of y  csc x. This procedure is used to obtain the graphs shown in Figure 1.64.

y y

3 y = csc x 3 y = sec x
2
y = sin x

x x
−π π π −π π π 2π
−1 2 −1 2
−2
y = cos x
−3

PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 2
DOMAIN: ALL x  n DOMAIN: ALL x  2  n
y
RANGE: 共 , 1兴 傼 关1, 兲 RANGE: 共 , 1兴 傼 关1, 兲
4 Cosecant: VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  n VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  2  n
3 relative SYMMETRY: y-AXIS
SYMMETRY: ORIGIN
minimum
2 FIGURE 1.64
Sine:
1
minimum
x In comparing the graphs of the cosecant and secant functions with those of the sine
Sine: π 2π and cosine functions, note that the “hills” and “valleys” are interchanged. For example,
−1
maximum a hill (or maximum point) on the sine curve corresponds to a valley (a relative
−2
Cosecant: minimum) on the cosecant curve, and a valley (or minimum point) on the sine curve
−3 relative
corresponds to a hill (a relative maximum) on the cosecant curve, as shown in
−4 maximum
Figure 1.65. Additionally, x-intercepts of the sine and cosine functions become vertical
FIGURE 1.65 asymptotes of the cosecant and secant functions, respectively (see Figure 1.65).

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 11 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

y = 2 csc x + π y y = 2 sin x + π
( ) ( ) Example 4 Sketching the Graph of a Cosecant Function
4 4

冢 冣
4
Sketch the graph of y  2 csc x  .
3 4

Solution
1
Begin by sketching the graph of
x
π 2π 
冢
y  2 sin x 
4
.冣
For this function, the amplitude is 2 and the period is 2. By solving the equations
 
x 0 and x  2
4 4
FIGURE 1.66
 7
x x
4 4
you can see that one cycle of the sine function corresponds to the interval from
x   兾4 to x  7兾4. The graph of this sine function is represented by the gray
curve in Figure 1.66. Because the sine function is zero at the midpoint and endpoints of
this interval, the corresponding cosecant function

y  2 csc x  冢 4 冣
2 冢sin关x 1 共兾4兲兴冣
has vertical asymptotes at x   兾4, x  3兾4, x  7兾4, etc. The graph of the
cosecant function is represented by the black curve in Figure 1.66.

Example 5 Sketching the Graph of a Secant Function

Sketch the graph of y  sec 2x.

Solution
y = sec 2x y y = cos 2x Begin by sketching the graph of y  cos 2x, as indicated by the gray curve in Figure
1.67. Then, form the graph of y  sec 2x as the black curve in the figure. Note that the
3 x-intercepts of y  cos 2x

冢 4 , 0冣, 冢4 , 0冣, 冢34, 0冣, . . .

correspond to the vertical asymptotes
x
−π −π π π
2 2   3
−1 x , x , x ,. . .
4 4 4
−2
of the graph of y  sec 2x. Moreover, notice that the period of y  cos 2x and
−3 y  sec 2x is .

FIGURE 1.67

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 12 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Damped Trigonometric Graphs

A product of two functions can be graphed using properties of the individual functions.
For instance, consider the function
f 共x兲  x sin x
as the product of the functions y  x and y  sin x. Using properties of absolute value
y ⱍ ⱍ ⱍ ⱍⱍ
and the fact that sin x  1, you have 0  x sin x  x . Consequently, ⱍ ⱍⱍ
y = −x 3π y=x ⱍⱍ
 x  x sin x  x ⱍⱍ
2π which means that the graph of f 共x兲  x sin x lies between the lines y  x and y  x.
Furthermore, because
π

x f 共x兲  x sin x  ± x at x  n
π 2
−π
and
−2π f 共x兲  x sin x  0 at x  n
−3π the graph of f touches the line y  x or the line y  x at x  兾2  n and has
f(x) = x sin x
x-intercepts at x  n. A sketch of f is shown in Figure 1.68. In the function
FIGURE 1.68 f 共x兲  x sin x, the factor x is called the damping factor.

Example 6 Damped Sine Wave

Do you see why the graph of Sketch the graph of

f 共x兲  x sin x touches the lines
f 共x兲  x 2 sin 3x.
y  ± x at x  兾2  n and
why the graph has x-intercepts Solution
at x  n? Recall that the sine
Consider f 共x兲 as the product of the two functions
function is equal to 1 at 兾2,
3兾2, 5兾2, . . . 共odd multiples y  x2 and y  sin 3x
of 兾2兲 and is equal to 0 at ,
each of which has the set of real numbers as its domain. For any real number x, you
2, 3, . . . 共multiples of 兲.
ⱍ ⱍ ⱍ
know that x 2 0 and sin 3x  1. So, x 2 sin 3x  x2, which means thatⱍ
x2  x2 sin 3x  x 2.
f(x) = x 2 sin 3x y Furthermore, because
6
y = x2  n
f 共x兲  x2 sin 3x  ± x 2 at x  
4 6 3
2 and
x n
2π f 共x兲  x 2 sin 3x  0 at x 
3 3
−2
the graph of f touches the curves y  x2 and y  x 2 at x  兾6  n兾3 and has
−4
intercepts at x  n兾3. A sketch is shown in Figure 1.69.
−6 y = − x2

FIGURE 1.69

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 13 of 14
 Instructor: Neil B. Montero
Email: [email protected]
TRIGONOMETRY

Figure 1.70 summarizes the characteristics of the six basic trigonometric functions.

y y y y = tan x

2 2 3
y = sin x
y = cos x
2
1
1

x x x
−π −π π π 3π −π π 2π −π π π 3π 5π
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
−1

−2 −2

DOMAIN: 共 , 兲 DOMAIN: 共 , 兲 DOMAIN: ALL x  2  n

RANGE: 关1, 1兴 RANGE: 关1, 1兴 RANGE: 共 , 兲
PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 

1 1
y y = csc x =
sin x y y = sec x =
cos x y y = cot x = tan1 x
3 3 3

2 2

1 1
x x x
−π π π 2π −π −π π π 3π 2π π 2π
2 2 2 2

−2

−3

DOMAIN: ALL x  n DOMAIN: ALL x  2  n DOMAIN: ALL x  n

RANGE: 共 , 1兴 傼 关1, 兲 RANGE: 共 , 1兴 傼 关1, 兲 RANGE: 共 , 兲
PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 
FIGURE 1.70

Module 3:
GRAPHS OF SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS
GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Page 14 of 14