Notes: (Topics 3.4 – 3.

5) Sine and Cosine Function Graphs and Sinusoidal Functions

So far in Unit 3, we have learned how to define sine and cosine values for angles in standard position, how to measure
angles in radians, and how to use the unit circle to evaluate sine and cosine functions at given angles.

Now, we will put all of these ideas together and discover that they can help us develop and understand how to represent
sine and cosine functions graphically.

Let’s start by considering the function f ( ) = sin  . Since we know that angle measures in standard position are
periodic, we can expect f ( ) to be periodic. Also, since  is our input-value, we will use the horizontal axis for our
angle measures and the vertical axis for our output-values ( f ( ) ) .
The angle measures from the unit circle give us several convenient input-values to use on the horizontal axis.

Properties of the graph for f ( ) = sin 

Midline Amplitude
The midline is halfway The amplitude is the distance
between the maximum from the midline to the
and minimum values. maximum (or minimum).
Midline: y = 0 Amplitude: a = 1

Frequency
The frequency is the
Period: P = 2 reciprocal of the period.
1
Frequency:
2
The graph of f ( ) = sin  oscillates between concave
down and concave up.

Notes: Topics 3.4 – 3.5 Sine and Cosine Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater
Similarly, we can use our knowledge of the unit circle to develop a graph of the function g ( ) = cos  .

Properties of the graph for g ( ) = cos 

Midline Amplitude
The midline is halfway The amplitude is the distance
between the maximum from the midline to the
and minimum values. maximum (or minimum).
Midline: y = 0 Amplitude: a = 1

Frequency
The frequency is the
Period: P = 2 reciprocal of the period.
1
Frequency:
2
The graph of g ( ) = cos  oscillates between concave
down and concave up.

Sinusoidal Functions
A sinusoidal function is any function that involves additive and multiplicative transformations of
f ( ) = sin  .

 
The sine and cosine functions are both sinusoidal functions because g ( ) = cos  = sin   + .
 2

Notes: Topics 3.4 – 3.5 Sine and Cosine Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater
 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝒇
Example 1: Two periods of the sinusoidal function 𝑓(𝜃) are shown in the figure above. Find the period, frequency,
amplitude, and midline for the graph of 𝑓(𝜃).
Period: Frequency: Midline: Amplitude:

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝒈
Example 2: Several periods of the sinusoidal function 𝑔(𝜃) are shown in the figure above. Find the period, frequency,
amplitude, and midline for the graph of 𝑔(𝜃).
Period: Frequency: Midline: Amplitude:

Example 3: The sinusoidal function ℎ(𝜃) has a maximum at the point (𝜋, 8). The first minimum after reaching this
maximum value occurs at the point (3𝜋, −2). Find the period, frequency, amplitude, and midline for the graph of ℎ(𝜃).
Period: Frequency: Midline: Amplitude:

Notes: Topics 3.4 – 3.5 Sine and Cosine Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater
Revisiting FRQ 3 Task Model from Topic 3.1

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale

Example 4: The figure shows a large clock mounted to a vertical wall. The clock has an 8-inch-long moving minute
hand. The center of the clock is 120 inches directly above the floor. At time t = 0 minutes, the minute hand is pointed
directly up at the 12. However, the clock is not working properly, and the minute hand is moving twice as fast as it
should. Thus, the next time the minute hand points directly up to the 12 is at time t = 30 minutes. As the minute hand
moves, the distance between the endpoint of the minute hand and the floor periodically decreases and increases.
The periodic function h models the distance, in inches, between the endpoint of the minute hand from the floor and the
floor as a function of time t in minutes.
(A) The graph of h and its dashed midline for two full cycles is shown. Five points, F , G , J , K , and P are labeled on
the graph. No scale is indicated, and no axes are presented.

( )
Determine possible coordinates t , h ( t ) for the five points: F , G, J , K , and P.

(B) Find the period, frequency, amplitude, and midline for the graph of h .

(C) Find two intervals for which the graph of h is both decreasing and concave up.

Notes: Topics 3.4 – 3.5 Sine and Cosine Function Graphs Created by Bryan Passwater