Graphs of

Trigonometric
Functions
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2
Graph of the Sine Function
To sketch the graph of y = sin x first locate the key points.
These are the maximum points, the minimum points, and the
intercepts.
0 -1 0 1 0 sin x
0 x
2
t
2
3t
t 2
t
Then, connect the points on the graph with a smooth curve
that extends in both directions beyond the five points. A
single cycle is called a period.
y
2
3t

t
2
t

t 2 2
3t
t
2
t
2
5t
1
1
x
y = sin x
Cosine Function
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3
Graph of the Cosine Function
To sketch the graph of y = cos x first locate the key points.
These are the maximum points, the minimum points, and the
intercepts.
1 0 -1 0 1 cos x
0 x
2
t
2
3t
t 2
t
Then, connect the points on the graph with a smooth curve
that extends in both directions beyond the five points. A
single cycle is called a period.
y
2
3t

t
2
t

t 2 2
3t
t
2
t
2
5t
1
1
x
y = cos x
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4
6. The cycle repeats itself indefinitely in both directions of
the x-axis.
Properties of Sine and Cosine Functions
The graphs of y = sin x and y = cos x have similar properties:
3. The maximum value is 1 and the minimum value is 1.
4. The graph is a smooth curve.
1. The domain is the set of real numbers.
5. Each function cycles through all the values of the range
over an x-interval of . t 2
2. The range is the set of y values such that . 1 1 s s y
Example: y = 3 cos x
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5
y
1
1
2
3
2
x
t
t 3 t 2 t
t 4
Example: Sketch the graph of y = 3 cos x on the interval [t, 4t].
Partition the interval [0, 2t] into four equal parts. Find the five key
points; graph one cycle; then repeat the cycle over the interval.
max x-int min x-int max
3 0 -3 0 3
y = 3 cos x
2t t 0 x
2
t
2
3t
(0, 3)
2
3t
( , 0)
( , 0)
2
t
t 2 ( , 3)
t
( , 3)
Amplitude
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6
The amplitude of y = a sin x (or y = a cos x) is half the distance
between the maximum and minimum values of the function.
amplitude = |a|
If |a| > 1, the amplitude stretches the graph vertically.
If 0 < |a| < 1, the amplitude shrinks the graph vertically.
If a < 0, the graph is reflected in the x-axis.
2
3t
2
t
4
y
x
4
t 2 t
y = 4 sin x
reflection of y = 4 sin x y = 4 sin x
y = 2 sin x
2
1
y = sin x
y = sin x
Period of a Function
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7
y
x
t t 2 t
sin x y =
t period: 2 2 sin x y=
t period:
The period of a function is the x interval needed for the
function to complete one cycle.
For b > 0, the period of y = a sin bx is .
b
t 2
For b > 0, the period of y = a cos bx is also .
b
t 2
If 0 < b < 1, the graph of the function is stretched horizontally.
If b > 1, the graph of the function is shrunk horizontally.
y
x
t t 2 t t 3 t 4
cos x y =
t period: 2
2
1
cos x y =
t period: 4
Graph y = f(-x)
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8
y
x
t 2 t
y = cos (x)
Use basic trigonometric identities to graph y = f (x)
Example 1: Sketch the graph of y = sin (x).
Use the identity
sin (x) = sin x
The graph of y = sin (x) is the graph of y = sin x reflected in
the x-axis.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of y = cos (x).
Use the identity
cos (x) = cos x
The graph of y = cos (x) is identical to the graph of y = cos x.
y
x
t 2 t
y = sin x
y = sin (x)
y = cos (x)
|
.
|

\
|
=
4
1 2
1
b
st
t
a
|
.
|

\
|
=
4
2 2
2
b
nd
t
|
.
|

\
|
=
4
4 2
4
b
th
t
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9
Steps in Graphing y = a sin bx and y = a cos bx.
b
t 2
4. Apply the pattern, then graph.
3. Find the intervals.
2. Find the period = .
1. Identify the amplitude = .
|
.
|

\
|
=
4
3 2
3
b
rd
t
max 0 min 0 max
)
`

+
+ +
b a
b a
min 0 max 0 min
)
`

+
b a
b a
0 min 0 max 0
)
`

+ +
b a
b a
0 max 0 min 0
)
`

+
+
b a
b a
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10
y = a cos bx
y = a sin bx
Example: y = 2 sin(-3x)
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11
2
y
2
6
t
x
2
t
t
6
5t
3
t
3
2t
6
t
6
t
3
t
2
t
3
2t
0
2 0
2 0 y = 2 sin 3x
0
x
Example: Sketch the graph of y = 2 sin (3x).
Rewrite the function in the form y = a sin bx with b > 0
amplitude: |a| = |2| = 2
Calculate the five key points.


(0, 0)
( , 0)
3
t
( , 2)
2
t
( , -2)
6
t
( , 0)
3
2t
Use the identity sin ( x) = sin x: y = 2 sin (3x) = 2 sin 3x
period:
b
t
2
t
2
3
=
Tangent Function
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12
y
x
2
3t
2
3t
2
t
2
t
Graph of the Tangent Function
2. range: (, +)
3. period: t
4. vertical asymptotes:
( ) Z e + = k k x
2
t
t
1. domain : all real x
( ) Z e + = k k x
2
t
t
Properties of y = tan x
period: t
To graph y = tan x, use the identity .
x
x
x
cos
sin
tan =
At values of x for which cos x = 0, the tangent function is
undefined and its graph has vertical asymptotes.
b
t
2 2
t t
= = bx and bx
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13
Steps in Graphing y = a tan bx.
1. Determine the period .
2. Locate two adjacent vertical asymptotes by solving for x:
3. Sketch the two vertical asymptotes found in Step 2.
4. Divide the interval into four equal parts.
5. Evaluate the function for the first quarter point, midpoint,
and third - quarter point, using the x values in Step 4.
6. Join the points with a smooth curve, approaching the
vertical asymptotes. Indicate additional asymptotes and
periods of the graph as necessary.
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14
2. Find consecutive vertical
asymptotes by solving for x:
4. Sketch one branch and repeat.
Example: Find the period and asymptotes and sketch the graph
of
x y 2 tan
3
1
=
2
2 ,
2
2
t t
= = x x
4
,
4
t t
= = x x Vertical asymptotes:
)
2
, 0 (
t
3. Plot several points in
1. Period of y = tan x is t .
2
t
. is 2 tan of Period x y =
x
x y 2 tan
3
1
=
8
t

3
1

0
0
8
t
3
1
8
3t
3
1

y
x
2
t
8
3t

4
t
= x
4
t
= x
|
.
|

\
|

3
1
,
8
t
|
.
|

\
|
3
1
,
8
t
|
.
|

\
|

3
1
,
8
3t
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15
2. Find consecutive vertical
asymptotes by solving for x:
4. Sketch one branch and repeat.
Example: Find the period and asymptotes and sketch the graph
of
x y
2
1
tan 3 =
t t = = x x , Vertical asymptotes:
3. Divide -t to t into four equal
parts.
2 2
1
,
2 2
1 t t
= = x x
1. Period of y = tan x is .
t 2
of Period

x y
2
1
tan 3 =
is
t
x
2
t

3 0
0
2
t
3
3
2
3t
x y
2
1
tan 3 =
y
x
2
3t
2
3t

t = x
t = x
x y
4
1
tan 2 =
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16
Graph
1. Period is or 4t.
4
1
t
2. Vertical asymptotes are
2 4
1
2 4
1 t t
= = x and x
t t 2 2 = = x and x
3. Divide the interval - 2t
to 2t into four equal parts.
y
x
x = - 2t x = 2t
x t
2
0
0
t
2 2
t 3
x y
4
1
tan 2 =
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17
Cotangent Function
Graph of the Cotangent Function
2. range: (, +)
3. period: t
4. vertical asymptotes:
( ) Z e = k k x t
1. domain : all real x
( ) Z e = k k x t
Properties of y = cot x
y
x
2
t
2
t

t
2
3t
2
3t

t
t 2
x y cot =
0 = x vertical asymptotes t = x t = x t 2 = x
To graph y = cot x, use the identity .
x
x
x
sin
cos
cot =
At values of x for which sin x = 0, the cotangent function is
undefined and its graph has vertical asymptotes.
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18
2
3t
y
x
2
t
2
t

t
t 2 t 3
2
5t
4
4
x y cos =
Secant Function
Graph of the Secant Function
2. range: (,1] [1, +)
3. period: t
4. vertical asymptotes:
( ) Z e + = k k x
2
t
t
1. domain : all real x
) (
2
Z e + = k k x
t
t

cos
1
sec
x
x = The graph y = sec x, use the identity .
Properties of y = sec x
x y sec =
At values of x for which cos x = 0, the secant function is undefined
and its graph has vertical asymptotes.
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19
t
2
3t
x
2
t
2
t

t 2
2
5t
y
4
4
Cosecant Function
Graph of the Cosecant Function
2. range: (,1] [1, +)
3. period: t
where sine is zero.
4. vertical asymptotes:
( ) Z e = k k x t
1. domain : all real x
( ) Z e = k k x t

sin
1
csc
x
x =
To graph y = csc x, use the identity .
Properties of y = csc x
x y csc =
x y sin =
At values of x for which sin x = 0, the cosecant function
is undefined and its graph has vertical asymptotes.