OBJECTIVES

By the end of this module, you should be able to cover the following specific
objectives:

1. Graph each trigonometric functions;

2. Identify the amplitude, period, and phase shift of the trigonometric functions.

GRAPH OF LESSON

TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 1
In this lesson, you will recall some situations that you have used in Cartesian Plane
(xy-plane) and its importance in Trigonometry. You will learn that each trigonometric function
has a unique graph, and it will help you understand the trigonometric functions more. With
this, you will illustrate and find out the graph of each trigonometric function.

Beside is an example of an earthquake shockwave

which also represents the graph of the sine function.

Figure 1

Figure 1 The earthquake shockwave in xy-plane

Definition: A function f is a periodic function if there is a smallest positive number p

such that

𝒇(𝒙 + 𝒑) = 𝒇(𝒙)

for all x in the domain of the function f. The number p is called the
fundamental period.

2
 Let us consider the graphs of the six (6) trigonometric functions. As
functions in variables x and y, they are presented as:

𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐭 𝒙

𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙 𝒚 = 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝒙

𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐬𝐜 𝒙

The x is referred to as the independent variable, that is, it can stand alone and
y is the dependent variable whose values depend on the values of x. Graphs of
these functions are plotted on the xy-plane which consists of real values. The x
values a measure of angles in radians since the radian measure of angles is
considered real numbers. The y values are real numbers since they are values of the
angles to a particular trigonometric function.

Since the x values are measures of angles in radians, the y’s are real numbers,
our xy-plane will look like this:

Figure 2.1 XY-Plane

Graph of Sine Function

Let us consider the function 𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 with assigned values of 𝒙 in the
following table:

x −2𝜋 3𝜋 −𝜋 𝜋 0 𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 2𝜋
− −
2 2 2 2

y 0 1 0 −1 0 1 0 −1 0

Figure 2.2 Graph of Sine Function

3
 Note:
1. The highest value of the sine function is +1 and the lowest is −1. This
is referred to as the amplitude of the sine function.
2. The graph from −2𝜋 to 0 and from 0 to 2𝜋 are the same. Extending
the graph after 2𝜋 or before −2𝜋, the same form of the graph will be
drawn. In other words, the period of the sine functions is 2𝜋, since this
is the length where the graph repeats its form.
3. The graph does not necessarily start from (0,0). It can start to the right
of zero (shifted to the right) or the left of zero (shifted to the left). This
is what is referred to as the phase shift.
4. In most cases, one period of the sine graph starts along the x-axis
(say at 𝑦1 = 0) and ends also at the x-axis (say at 𝑦3 = 0). The
midpoint of these two endpoints (𝑦1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦3) is also along the x-axis
(say at 𝑦2 = 0). Midpoint of 𝑦1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦2 is the point where the largest
value is, and the midpoint of 𝑦2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦3 is the point where the smallest
value corresponds.

General Sine Function

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶) Note:

𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 = ± 𝐴 Period (𝑝) - the length of one complete

cycle.
2𝜋
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 =
𝐵
Amplitude (𝑎) - the height of the graph
𝐶
𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 = − Intercepts – the points where the curve
𝐵
crosses the x and y axes.

Example 1: General Sine Function

Given:
𝜋
Graph 𝑦 = 2sin(3𝑥 + )
2
Solution:
Formula: Using the general sine function: 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶)
where:
𝜋
𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = 3, 𝐶 = 2

Amplitude = ±2
2𝜋
Period = 3
𝜋
Phase shift = − 6

4
 𝜋 2𝜋
Along the x-axis, the graph starts at − 6 with a period of 3 . The endpoint
𝒆 for a one-complete period graph can be obtained using the distance
formula, that is:
𝒆 − 𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕 = 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅
𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋
𝒆 − (− 6 ) = 3 → 𝒆 = 2
𝜋
𝑦2 = 6
The largest value occurs at 𝑥 = 0
𝜋
The smallest value occurs at 𝑥 = 3
y

𝜋
Figure 2.3 Graph of 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 2sin( 3𝑥 + 2 )

Legend:

𝑦 = sin 𝑥

𝜋
𝑦 = 2sin( 3𝑥 + )
2

From the figure above, you will observe that the broken curve is the graph
𝜋
of 𝑦 = sin 𝑥. The graph of the function 𝑦 = 2 sin(3𝑥 + 2 ) is the graph of
𝜋
the original function which is shifted to the left and at the same time
6
2𝜋
compressed at the period of . The height of the graph was stretched at
3
an amplitude of ±1.

5
 Graph of Cosine Function

Let us consider the function 𝑦 = cos 𝑥 with assigned values of 𝒙 in the following
table.

x −2𝜋 3𝜋 −𝜋 𝜋 0 𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 2𝜋
− −
2 2 2 2

y 1 0 −1 0 1 0 −1 0 1

Figure 3.1 Graph of Cosine Function

Note:
1. The cosine function has the same amplitude as the sine function.
2. The period is also the same as that of the sine function, 2𝜋. The graph
looks like the letter 𝑣 from 0 to 2𝜋. This is how the cosine function looks
like when graphing one complete period.
3. The graph may also be shifted to the right or the left of zero as in the sine
function. The 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 is a sine function shifted
𝜋
to the left.
2

General Cosine Function

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶)

𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 = ± 𝐴

2𝜋
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 =
𝐵

𝐶
𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 = −
𝐵

6
 Example 2: General Cosine Function

Given:
𝜋
Graph 𝑦 = 3cos(2𝑥 − 3 )
Solution:
Formula: Using the general cosine function: 𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶)
where:
𝜋
𝐴 = 3, 𝐵 = 2, 𝐶 = 3 Amplitude = ±3
2𝜋 𝜋
Period = = 𝜋 Phase shift =
2 6

𝜋 7𝜋
At 𝑥 = , the graph has the largest value so with the endpoint 𝑒 = .
6 6
𝜋 7𝜋 2𝜋
𝑥 = 0 at the midpoint of 𝑦1 = 6
and 𝑦3 = 6
which is 𝑦2 = 3
𝜋 7𝜋
𝒆−6 = 𝜋 →𝒆= 6 y

𝜋
Figure 3.2 Graph of 𝑦 = cos 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 3cos( 2𝑥 − 3 )

Legend:
𝑦 = cos 𝑥

𝜋
𝑦 = 3cos( 2𝑥 − )
3

From the figure above, you will observe that the broken curve is the graph of
𝜋
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥. The graph of the function 𝑦 = 3 cos(2𝑥 − ) is actually the graph of the
3
𝜋
original 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 which is shifted 6 to the right and at the same time
compressed at the period of 𝜋. The height of the graph was stretched at the amplitude
of ±3.

7
 Graph of the Tangent Function
Let us consider a right triangle on the first quadrant as shown below:
y

x
Figure 4.1 An illustration of Right Triangle

𝑏 𝑏 𝑎
tan 𝜃 = 𝑎 ; sin 𝜃 = 𝑟 ; cos 𝜃 = 𝑟 .
Let us express the tangent function in terms of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒.
Solving for 𝒃 and 𝒂 in terms of 𝒓 and 𝜃, we get:
𝑏 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃, 𝑎 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃
𝑟 sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 = cos 𝜃

The tangent function, therefore has values for which it is undefined, those
𝜋 3𝜋
values for which the denominator cos 𝜃 = 0. These are 𝜃 = 2 , 2 ,etc.

𝜋 3𝜋
For the function 𝑦 = tan 𝑥, the values for 𝑥 = 2 , 2 , etc. are 𝒂𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 for
the function and are represented by vertical broken lines passing through these values.
The graph does not touch nor cross over these values.

General Tangent Function

𝑦 = 𝐴 tan 𝐵𝑥

𝑁𝑜 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = 𝜋

𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 = − 2 , 2

8
 Let us consider the function 𝑦 = tan 𝑥 with assigned values of 𝑥 in the
following table.
𝑥 −𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 0 𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
− − −
4 2 4 4 2 4
𝑦 0 1 𝑢𝑛𝑑. −1 0 1 𝑢𝑛𝑑. −1 0

The 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

goes to + and – infinity,
that is, it has
x 𝒏𝒐 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 (highest
and lowest value).

Figure 4.2 Graph of Tangent Function

Example 3: Tangent Function

Given:
1
Graph 𝑦 = (2 tan 3𝑥)
Solution:
Formula: Using the general tangent function: 𝑦 = 𝐴 tan 𝐵𝑥
where:
1 𝜋 𝜋
𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = 3 Asymptote = − 2 , 2 Period = 𝜋

Legend:

𝑦 = tan 𝑥
x
1
𝑦 = tan 3𝑥
2

Figure 4.3 Graph of 𝑦 = tan 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 12 tan 3𝑥

9 𝑦 = tan 𝑥
 Graph of the Cotangent Function
1 1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
tan 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 = sin 𝜃
cos 𝜃

Similar to the 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, the cotangent function also has values
for which it becomes undefined. And these are when sin 𝜃 = 0, 𝜃 = 0, 𝜋, 2𝜋, 𝑒𝑡𝑐.

General Cotangent Function

𝑦 = 𝐴 cot 𝐵𝑥

𝑁𝑜 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = 𝜋

𝐴𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 = −𝜋, 𝜋

Let 𝑦 = cot 𝑥 with assigned values of 𝑥 in the following table:

𝑥 −𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 0 𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
− − −
4 2 4 4 2 4
𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑑. 1 0 −1 𝑢𝑛𝑑. 1 0 −1 𝑢𝑛𝑑

y
Similar to the
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, there is
𝒏𝒐 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 for the
𝑐𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. It has
the same period with the

x 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 which is

𝜋.

Figure 5.1 Graph of Cotangent Function

10
 Example 4: Cotangent Function

Given:
1
Graph 𝑦 = (2 cot 2𝑥)
Solution:
Formula: Using the general cotangent function: 𝑦 = 𝐴 cot 𝐵𝑥
where:
1 𝜋 𝜋
𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = 2 Asymptote = − 2 , 0, 2 … Period = 𝜋

1
Figure 5.2 Graph of 𝑦 = cot 𝑥 and 𝑦 = cot 2𝑥
2

Legend:

𝑦 = cot 𝑥
1
𝑦 = (2 cot 2𝑥)

Graph of the Secant Function

Recall that the secant function can be expressed in terms of cosine, that is
1
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃

The 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, therefore has values for which it is undefined, those
𝜋 3𝜋
values for which the denominator cos 𝜃 = 0. These are 𝜃 = 2 , 2 , etc.
𝜋 3𝜋
For the function 𝑦 = sec 𝑥, the values for 𝑥 = 2 , 2 , etc. are 𝒂𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 for
the function and are represented by vertical broken lines passing through these
values.

11
 General Secant Function
𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑒𝑐(𝐵𝑥 − 𝐶) + 𝐷

𝑁𝑜 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = 2𝜋
𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 = − 2 , 2 ….

𝐶
𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 =
𝐵

𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 = 𝐷

Let us consider the function 𝑦 = sec 𝑥 with assigned values of x in the

following table:

𝑥 −𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 0 𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
− − −
4 2 4 4 2 4
𝑦 1 −√2 𝑢𝑛𝑑. √2 1 √2 𝑢𝑛𝑑. −√2 −1

Figure 6.1 Graph of Secant Function

The secant function goes

to + and – infinity, that is, it
has 𝒏𝒐 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆
(highest and lowest value).
The period of the secant
function is 2𝜋.

12
 Example 5: Secant Function

Given:
3𝜋
Graph 𝑦 = 4 sec (2𝑥 − 2 ) + 3
Solution:
Formula: Using the general secant function: 𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑒𝑐(𝐵𝑥 − 𝐶) + 𝐷
where:
3𝜋
𝐴 = 4, 𝐵 = 2, 𝐶 = ,𝐷 = 3 𝑁𝑜 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
2
2𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = = 𝜋 𝐴𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 = − ,
2 2 2

3𝜋
2 3𝜋
Phase shift = = 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 = 3
2 4

3𝜋 3𝜋
Figure 6.2 Graph of 𝑦 = 4 cos (2𝑥 − ) +3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 4 sec (2𝑥 − ) +3
2 2

Graph of the Cosecant Function

1
csc 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃

Similar to the 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, the 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 also has no

values for which it becomes undefined. And these are when sin 𝜃 = 0, 𝜃 = 0, 𝜋, 2𝜋,
etc.

13
 Let 𝑦 = csc 𝑥, assign values to 𝑥 and construct the table as shown
below:

𝑥 −𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 0 𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
− − −
4 2 4 4 2 4
𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑑. √2 −1 √2 𝑢𝑛𝑑. √2 1 √2 𝑢𝑛𝑑.
− −
2 2 2 2

Figure 7.1 Graph of Cosecant Function

Similar to the
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, there is
𝒏𝒐 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 for the
cosecant function. It has
the same period as the
secant function which is 2𝜋.

General Cosecant Function

𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑐𝑠𝑐(𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶) + 𝐷

𝑁𝑜 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = 2𝜋

𝐴𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 = −𝜋, 0, 𝜋

𝐶
𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 =
𝐵

𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 = 𝐷

14
 Example 6: Cosecant Function
Given:
𝜋
Graph 𝑦 = 2 csc (2𝑥 − 2 ) + 2
Solution:
Formula: Using the general cosecant function: 𝑦 = 𝐴 𝑐𝑠𝑐 (𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶) + 𝐷
where:
𝜋
𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = 2, 𝐶 = 2 , 𝐷 = 2 𝑁𝑜 𝐴𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
𝜋 𝜋
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = 𝜋 𝐴𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒 = − 2 , 0, 2

−𝜋
2 𝜋
Phase shift = = −4 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 = 2
2

𝜋 𝜋
Figure 7.1 Graph of 𝑦 = 2 sin(2𝑥 − ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 2 csc(2𝑥 − )
2 2

Legend:

𝜋
𝑦 = 2 sin (2𝑥 − )
2
𝜋
𝑦 = 2 csc (2𝑥 − )
2
+2

15
Activity 1: Sketch Me!
Directions: Sketch the three functions on the XY-Plane. Use the following colors that
corresponds to the trigonometric function below:

Black 𝑦 = sin 𝑥

Blue 𝑦 = sin 3𝑥

Green 𝑦 = 3𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑥

1. 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 , 𝑦 = sin 3𝑥, 𝑦 = 3 sin 3𝑥

y

16
Activity 1: Complete Me!
Directions: Graph one complete period for each Trigonometric function showing the original
function. Discuss the amplitude, period, and phase shift of the following functions.

𝜋
1. 𝑦 = 3 sin(2𝑥 − 2 )

2. 𝑦 = 2 cos(4𝑥 + 𝜋)

17
Activity: It’s My Turn
Directions: Graph the following trigonometric function on each cartesian plane. Use
𝜋
a separate graphing paper. The distance of the value of 𝑥 must be and limited to
2
2𝜋.
1. 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 , 𝑦 = cos 𝑥
y

2. 𝑦 = tan 𝑥, 𝑦 = cot 𝑥

18
 3. 𝑦 = csc 𝑥, 𝑦 = sec 𝑥
y

Answer the following questions correctly based on what you have learned in this module. Write
the letter of your answer on the line provided before the number.

_______ 1. What is the highest value of the 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛?

A. 1 B. 0 C. -1 D. 2𝜋

_______ 2. Which of the following describes the height of the graph?

A. Period B. Amplitude C. Phase Shift D. Intercepts

_______ 3. Which of the following is the length of one complete cycle?

A. Period B. Amplitude C. Phase Shift D. Intercepts

_______ 4. What is the point where the curve crosses the x and y axes?
A. Period B. Amplitude C. Phase Shift D. Intercepts

_______ 5. What is the amplitude of the cosine function?

𝐶 𝜋
A. 2𝐴 B. ±𝐴 C. − D. 2
𝐵

_______ 6. Which of the following is TRUE on the graph below?

A. 𝑦 = sin 𝑥
B. 𝑦 = cos 𝑥
C. 𝑦 = cot 𝑥
D. 𝑦 = tan 𝑥

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_______ 7. Which of the following is TRUE about 𝒂𝒔𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔?
A. These are straight lines passing through the given values.
B. These are straight broken lines passing through the given values.
C. These are horizontal lines passing through the given values.
D. These are vertical broken lines passing through the given values.

_______ 8. On the graph of 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, what value gives an undefined answer?
𝜋 𝜋
A. 0 B. C. 𝜋 D.
2 4

_______ 9. Similar to the secant function, what value gives the answer of 1.
𝜋 𝜋
A. 0 B. 2 C. 𝜋 D. 4

_______ 10. Which of the following shows a graph of 𝑦 = sec 𝑥 and 𝑦 = csc 𝑥?

A.

B.

C.

D.
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 Let’s Practice

Let’s Assess

1. A 6. A

2. B 7. D

3. A 8. B

4. D 9. B

5. B 10. A

REFERENCES:

Baltazar, Ethel Cecille M; Dy, Ana Liza M;Dela Cruz, Steve F; Vidar, Melvin A.
(2015). Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. Quezon City: MSA Publishing
Company. Varron, Fernando Jr. The Different Scientific Attitudes. 2016.

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