Chapter 4: Graphing Trigonometric Functions

Section 1: Basic Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions: Amplitude and

Period

The trig functions are strictly periodic. If we take any angle
and add any
integer multiple of 2 to
, sin
 = sin 
+ 2, cos
 = cos 
+ 2,
etc.

Definition: Periodic Function

A function  is called a periodic function if there is a positive number p

such that

 +  =  for all  in the domain of .

If  is the smallest such number for which this equation holds, then  is
called the fundamental period.

This means that sine, cosine, cosecant, and secant functions are periodic
with a fundamental period of 2.

The Graph of  = sin 

Lets plot some points!

  = sin  ,    = sin  , 

0 

 5
4 4
 3
2 2
3 7
4 4
2
Now we can plot the points from the previous page:

For this chapter, instead of showing angles on the unit circle, we are
showing angles in radians as real numbers on the x-axis of our Cartesian
graph.

For what values of  does  = sin = 0? 1? -1?

Summary of  = sin 

Domain: ,  Range: [1,1]

The sine function is odd:  = , and symmetric about
the origin.
The sine function is a periodic function with fundamental period of
2.
The -intercepts are integer multiples of , , where  is an integer:
(, 0.
The max and min values of the sine function correspond to x values
! "#$%!
that are odd integer multiples of , .
" "
The Graph of  = cos 

  = cos  ,    = cos  , 

0 

 5
4 4
 3
2 2
3 7
4 4
2

Now we can plot the points from the previous page:

For what values of  does  = &' = 0? 1? -1?

Summary of  = cos 

Domain: ,  Range: [1,1]

The cosine function is even: &' = &', and symmetric about
the y-axis.
The cosine function is a periodic function with fundamental period of
2.
! "#$%!
The -intercepts are odd integer multiples of , where  is an
" "
"#$%!
integer: ( , 0.
"
The max and min values of the sine function correspond to x values
that are integer multiples of , , such as 0, , 2, etc.

The Amplitude and Period of Sinusoidal Graphs

Definition:

Sinusoidal: A function that resembles the sine function.

What functions are sinusoidal?

We will now work with sinusoidal functions of the form  = )* and
 = )&'* where A and B are used to stretch or compress sine and
cosine vertically and horizontally.
Example 1: Vertical Stretching and Compressing
%
Plot the functions  = 2 and  =  on the same graph with
"
 =  on the interval   3.

Step 1: Make a table.

 0   3 2
2 2
sin
2
1

2

For sinusoidal functions of the form  = ) and  = )&', the

amplitude is |)|. When |)| < 1, the graph is compressed vertically and
when |)| > 1, the graph is stretched vertically.

Example 2: State the amplitude of

%
a. &' b. 3
/
Example 3: Horizontal Stretching and Compressing
%
Plot the functions  = cos3 and  = cos 0 2 on the same graph with
1
 = &' on the interval   3.

For sinusoidal functions of the form  = )sin * and  = )&'*, with
"!
* > 0, the period is . When 0 < * < 1, the graph is stretched horizontally
3
since the period is larger than 2, and when * > 1, the graph is
compressed horizontally since the period is smaller than 2.

Example 4: Finding the Period of a Sinusoidal Function

State the period of

a.  = cos 3

%
b. 5 = sin 06 2