Unit 7: Trigonometric Functions

Graphing the Trigonometric Function

E.Q: E.Q
1. What is a radian and how do I use it to
determine angle measure on a circle?
2. How do I use trigonometric functions to
model periodic behavior?

CCSS: F.IF. 2, 4, 5 &7E; F.TF. 1,2,5 &8

Mathematical Practices:
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of
others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

SOH
CAH
TOA

CHO
SHA
CAO

Right Triangle Trigonometry

Graphing the Trig Function

Graphing Trigonometric Functions

Amplitude: the maximum or minimum vertical

distance between the graph and the x-axis.
Amplitude is always positive

Theamplitudeofy=asinx(ory=acosx)ishalfthedistance
betweenthemaximumandminimumvaluesofthefunction.
amplitude=|a|
If|a|>1,theamplitudestretchesthegraphvertically.
If0<|a|>1,theamplitudeshrinksthegraphvertically.
Ifa <0,thegraphisreflectedinthex-axis.
y
4

y=sinx
1
y=sinx
2

y=4sinx
reflectionofy=4sinx
4

3
2

y=2sinx
y=4sinx

Graphing Trigonometric
Functions

Period: the number of degrees or radians we must

graph before it begins again.

Theperiodofafunctionisthexintervalneededforthe
functiontocompleteonecycle.
2
Forb0,theperiodofy=asinbxis.
b

2
Forb0,theperiodofy=acosbxisalso.
b

If0<b<1,thegraphofthefunctionisstretchedhorizontally.
y
y sin 2
period:2
period:
y sin x
x

Ifb>1,thegraphofthefunctionisshrunkhorizontally.
y
y cos x
1
y cos x

period:2
2
2
3
4

period:4

The sine function

Imagine a particle on the unit circle, starting at (1,0) and rotating
counterclockwise around the origin. Every position of the particle
corresponds with an angle, , where y = sin . As the particle moves
through the four quadrants, we get four pieces of the sin graph:
I. From 0 to 90 the y-coordinate increases from 0 to 1
II. From 90 to 180 the y-coordinate decreases from 1 to 0
III. From 180 to 270 the y-coordinate decreases from 0 to 1
IV. From 270 to 360 the y-coordinate increases from 1 to 0
sin
y

90
135

45

II

180
II I

II

90

180

360

270

IV

III
225

315
270

Interactive Sine Unwrap

IV

sin

/2

3/2

Sine is a periodic function: p = 2

sin

One period
2

sin : Domain (angle measures): all real numbers, (, )

Range (ratio of sides): 1 to 1, inclusive [1, 1]
sin is an odd function; it is symmetric wrt the origin.
Domain, sin() = sin()

GraphoftheSineFunction
Tosketchthegraphofy=sinxfirstlocatethekeypoints.
Thesearethemaximumpoints,theminimumpoints,andthe
intercepts.

3
x
0

2
2

sin x

-1

Then,connectthepointsonthegraphwithasmoothcurve
thatextendsinbothdirectionsbeyondthefivepoints.A
singlecycleiscalledaperiod.
y=sinx
y
3

3
2

5
2

The cosine function

Imagine a particle on the unit circle, starting at (1,0) and rotating
counterclockwise around the origin. Every position of the particle
corresponds with an angle, , where x = cos . As the particle moves
through the four quadrants, we get four pieces of the cos graph:
I. From 0 to 90 the x-coordinate decreases from 1 to 0
II. From 90 to 180 the x-coordinate decreases from 0 to 1
III. From 180 to 270 the x-coordinate increases from 1 to 0
IV. From 270 to 360 the x-coordinate increases from 0 to 1
y

cos

90
135

45

II

I
0

180
II I

IV

225

315
270

IV

90

270

180
II

III

360

cos

/2

3/2

GraphoftheCosineFunction
Tosketchthegraphofy=cosxfirstlocatethekeypoints.
Thesearethemaximumpoints,theminimumpoints,andthe
intercepts.

x
0
2
2
2

cos x

-1

Then,connectthepointsonthegraphwithasmoothcurve
thatextendsinbothdirectionsbeyondthefivepoints.A
singlecycleiscalledaperiod.
y=cosx
y
3

3
2

5
2

Cosine is a periodic function: p = 2

cos

One period
2

cos : Domain (angle measures): all real numbers, (, )

Range (ratio of sides): 1 to 1, inclusive [1, 1]
cos is an even function; it is symmetric wrt the y-axis.
Domain, cos() = cos()

Properties of Sine and Cosine graphs

1. The domain is the set of real numbers
2. The rage is set of y values such that -1 y 1

3. The maximum value is 1 and the minimum value

is -1
4. The graph is a smooth curve
5. Each function cycles through all the values of the
range over an x interval or 2
6. The cycle repeats itself identically in both
direction of the x-axis
15

Given : A sin Bx

Sine Graph

Amplitude = IAI
period = 2/B

Example:
y=5sin2X

Amp=5

/2
/4

Period=2/2

3/4

Given : A sin Bx

Cosine Graph

Amplitude = IAI
period = 2/B

Example:
y=2cos 1/2 X

Amp= 2
2

Period= 2/(1/2)

Example:Sketchthegraphofy=3cosxontheinterval[,4].
Partitiontheinterval[0,2]intofourequalparts.Findthefivekey
points;graphonecycle;thenrepeatthecycleovertheinterval.
x
y = 3 cos x
(0,3)

0
3

-3

max

x-int min

2
1
1
2
3

(,0)
2

3
(,0)
2

(,3)

3
2

2
3

0
x-int
2
(,3)

max

4 x

Usebasictrigonometricidentitiestography=f (x)
Example :Sketchthegraphofy=sin(x).
Thegraphofy=sin(x)isthegraphofy=sinx reflectedin
thex-axis.
y=sin(x)
y
Usetheidentity
sin(x)=sinx
y=sinx

Example :Sketchthegraphofy=cos(x).
Thegraphofy=cos(x)isidenticaltothegraphofy=cosx.
y
Usetheidentity
x
cos(x)=cosx

2
y=cos(x)

Example:Sketchthegraphofy=2sin(3x).
Rewritethefunctionintheformy=asinbxwithb>0
y=2sin(3x)=2sin3x
Usetheidentitysin(x)=sin x:

2
2
period:
amplitude:|a|=|2|=2
=
b
3
Calculatethefivekeypoints.
x
y = 2 sin 3x

2
3

(,2)
2

(0,0)
2

(,
-2)
6

2
3

(,0)
2
3
(,0)
3

5
6

Tangent Function
Recall that tan

sin
.
cos

Since cos is in the denominator, when cos = 0, tan is undefined.

This occurs @ intervals, offset by /2: { /2, /2, 3/2, 5/2, }
Lets create an x/y table from = /2 to = /2 (one interval),
with 5 input angle values.

sin

cos

tan

tan

/2

und

/2

und

2
2

2
2

/4

/4

2
2

2
2

/4

/2

und

/2

und

/4

Graph of Tangent Function:

Vertical asymptotes
tan Periodic
where cos = 0
sin
tan
cos

/2

tan
Und (-)

/4

/4

/2

Und()

3/2

/2

/2

One period:

tan : Domain (angle measures): /2 + n

Range (ratio of sides): all real numbers (, )
tan is an odd function; it is symmetric wrt the origin.
Domain, tan() = tan()

3/2

GraphoftheTangentFunction
sin x
tan x
Tography=tanx,usetheidentity.
cos x
Atvaluesofxforwhichcosx=0,thetangentfunctionis
undefinedanditsgraphhasverticalasymptotes.
y
Propertiesofy=tanx
1.Domain:allrealx

x k k
2
2.Range:(,+)
3.Period:
4.Verticalasymptotes:

x k k
2

2
3
2

period:

3
2

Example:Findtheperiodandasymptotesandsketchthegraph

y
x
x
of y 1 tan 2 x
4
4
3
1.Periodofy=tanx is.

Periodof y tan 2 xis.

2

2.Findconsecutivevertical
asymptotesbysolvingforx:

2 x ,2 x
2
2

Verticalasymptotes: x ,x
4
4

3.Plotseveralpointsin(0, )
2
4.Sketchonebranchandrepeat.

3
8

1
,
8 3

1
,
8 3

8
1
1
y tan 2 x
3
3
x

0
0

3 1
,

8
3

8
1
3

3
8
1

Cotangent Function
Recall that cot

cos
.
sin

Since sin is in the denominator, when sin = 0, cot is undefined.

This occurs @ intervals, starting at 0: { , 0, , 2, }
Lets create an x/y table from = 0 to = (one interval),
with 5 input angle values.

sin

cos

cot

cot

Und

Und

/4

2
2

2
2

/4

/2

/2

3/4

2
2

3/4

Und

2
2

Und

Graph of Cotangent Function: Periodic

Vertical asymptotes
where sin = 0
cos
cot
sin

cot

cot

/4

/2

3/4

3/2

/2

/2

cot : Domain (angle measures): n

Range (ratio of sides): all real numbers (, )
cot is an odd function; it is symmetric wrt the origin.
Domain, tan() = tan()

3/2

GraphoftheCotangentFunction
cos x
cot
x

Tography=cotx,usetheidentity.
sin x
Atvaluesofxforwhichsinx=0,thecotangentfunctionis
undefinedanditsgraphhasverticalasymptotes.
y
Propertiesofy=cotx

y cot x

1.Domain:allrealx
x k k
2.Range:(,+)
3.Period:
4.Verticalasymptotes:
x k k
verticalasymptotes

x0

x
3
2

x 2

Cosecant is the reciprocal

of
sine
Vertical asymptotes
where sin = 0

csc

0
2

sin

One period: 2

sin : Domain: (, )
Range: [1, 1]

csc : Domain: n
(where sin = 0)
Range: |csc | 1
or (, 1] U [1, ]

sin and csc

are odd
(symm wrt origin)

GraphoftheCosecantFunction
1
Tography=cscx,usetheidentity.
csc x

sin x
Atvaluesofxforwhichsinx=0,thecosecantfunction
isundefinedanditsgraphhasverticalasymptotes.
y
Propertiesofy=cscx
4

y csc x

1.domain:allrealx
x k k
2.range:(,1][1,+)
3.period:
4.verticalasymptotes:
x k k
wheresineiszero.

3
2

5
2

y sin x
4

Secant is the reciprocal of cosine Vertical asymptotes

where cos = 0

sec

cos

One period: 2

cos : Domain: (, ) sec : Domain: /2 + n

(where cos = 0)
Range: [1, 1]
Range: |sec | 1
or (, 1] U [1, ]

cos and sec

are even
(symm wrt y-axis)

GraphoftheSecantFunction
1
sec
x

Thegraphy=secx,usetheidentity.
cos x
Atvaluesofxforwhichcosx=0,thesecantfunctionisundefined
anditsgraphhasverticalasymptotes.
y sec x
y
Propertiesofy=secx
1.domain:allrealx

x k (k )
2
2.range:(,1][1,+)
3.period:
4.verticalasymptotes:

x k k
2

y cos x

3
2

5
2

Summary of Graph Characteristics

Defn

sin
csc
cos
sec
tan
cot

Period

Domain

Range

Even/Odd

Summary of Graph Characteristics

Defn

Period

Domain

Range

Even/Odd

opp
hyp

y
r

(, )

1 x 1 or
[1, 1]

odd

csc

1
.sin

r
.y

cos

adj
hyp

x
r

(, )

sec

1 .
sin

r
y

2 +n

tan

sin
cos

y
x

2 +n

All Reals or
(, )

odd

cot

cos
.sin

x
y

All Reals or
(, )

odd

sin

|csc | 1 or
(, 1] U [1, )

All Reals or
(, )
|sec | 1 or
(, 1] U [1, )

odd
even
even

14. 2: Translations of Trigonometric Graphs

Without looking at your notes, try to sketch the basic shape of
each trig function:
1) Sine:

2) Cosine:

3) Tangent:

More Transformations
We have seen two types of transformations on trig

graphs: vertical stretches and horizontal stretches.

There are three more: vertical translations (slides),

horizontal translations, and reflections (flips).

More Transformations
Here is the full general form for the sine function:

y k a sin b x h
Just as with parabolas and other functions, h and k

are translations:

h slides the graph horizontally (opposite of sign)

k slides the graph vertically

Also, if a is negative, the graph is flipped vertically.

More Transformations
To graph a sine or cosine graph:
1.

Graph the original graph with the correct

amplitude and period (like section 14.1).

2. Translate h units horizontally and k units

vertically.
3. Reflect vertically at its new position if a is negative

(or reflect first, then translate).

Examples
Describe how each graph would be transformed:
1.

y 2 sin x

2.

y cos x
2

3.

y 2 sin( x )

Examples

State the amplitude and period, then graph:

y 2 cos( x)

-2

Examples

State the amplitude and period, then graph:

y sin x
2

-2

Examples

State the amplitude and period, then graph:

1
y 2 sin x
2

-2

Examples
Write an equation of the graph described:

The graph of y = cos x translated up 3 units,

right units, and reflected vertically.

14.3: trigonometric Identities

Reciprocal Identities
Quotient Identities
Pythagorean Identities
Opposite Angles Identity

Some Vocab
Identity: a statement of equality between two
expressions that is true for all values of the
variable(s)
2. Trigonometric Identity: an identity involving trig
expressions
3. Counterexample: an example that shows an
equation is false.
1.

Prove that sin(x)tan(x) = cos(x) is not a trig

identity by producing a counterexample.
You can do this by picking almost any angle

measure.
Use ones that you know exact values for:
0, /6, /4, /3, /2, and

Reciprocal Identities

Quotient Identities

Why?

Do you remember the Unit Circle?

What is the equation for the unit circle?

x 2 + y2 =
1

What does x = ? What does y = ?

(in terms of trig functions)

sin2 + cos2 = 1
Pythagorean
Identity!

Take the Pythagorean Identity and

discover a new one!
Hint: Try dividing everything by cos2

Quotien
t
Identity

sin2 + cos2 =
1 .
2
22
cos
cos
tan + 1 = sec2
cos2
another
Pythagorean
Identity

Reciproc
al
Identity

Take the Pythagorean Identity and

discover a new one!
Hint: Try dividing everything by sin2

sin2 + cos2 =
1 .
2
22
sin

sin
1 + cot =
22
sin
Quotien csc
Reciproc
t
Identity

a third
Pythagorean
Identity

al
Identity

Opposite Angle Identities

sometimes these are called even/odd identities

Simplify each expression.

Using the identities you now know, find

the trig value.
If cos = 3/4,
find sec.

If cos = 3/5,
find csc.

sin = -1/3, 180o < < 270o; find tan

sec = -7/5, < < 3/2; find sin

 Similarities and Differences

a) How do you find the
amplitude and period for
sine and cosine functions?
b) How do you find the
amplitude, period and
asymptotes for tangent?
c) What process do you
follow to graph any of the
trigonometric functions?