Precalculus : Graphing Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Amplitude, Period, Phase Shift Of A Trig Function

Which equation would produce this sine graph?

Phase shift 2

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The graph has an amplitude of 2 but has been shifted down 1:

Phase shift 2 dots

In terms of the equation, this puts a 2 in front of sin, and -1 at the end.

This makes it easier to see that the graph starts [is at 0] where .

The phase shift is  to the right, or 

Example Question #4 : Amplitude, Period, Phase Shift Of A Trig Function

Which of the following equations could represent a cosine function with amplitude 3, period , and a phase shift of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The form of the equation will be 

First, think about all possible values of A that could give you an amplitude of 3. Either A = -3 or A = 3 could each produce amplitude = 3. Be sure to look for answer choices that satisfy either of these. 

Secondly, we know that the period is . Normally we know what B is and need to find the period, but this is the other way around. We can still use the same equation and solve:

. You can cross multiply to solve and get B = 4. 

Finally, we need to find a value of C that satisfies 

. Cross multiply to get:

Next, plug in B= 4 to solve for C:

Putting this all together, the equation could either be:

 or 

Example Question #5 : Amplitude, Period, Phase Shift Of A Trig Function

State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function 

Possible Answers:

Amplitude: 7

Period: /3

Phase Shift: /6

Vertical Shift: -4

Amplitude: 7

Period: -/3

Phase Shift: -/6

Vertical Shift: -4

Amplitude: -7

Period: /3

Phase Shift: -/6

Vertical Shift: 4

Amplitude: 7

Period: /3

Phase Shift: -/6

Vertical Shift: -4

Correct answer:

Amplitude: 7

Period: /3

Phase Shift: -/6

Vertical Shift: -4

Explanation:

A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D, 

  • amplitude is |A|
  • period is 2/|B|
  • phase shift is -C/B
  • vertical shift is D

In our equation, A=-7, B=6, C=, and D=-4. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift. 

To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=-7, so our amplitude is equal to 7.

The period is 2/B, and in this case B=6. Therefore the period of this function is equal to 2/6 or /3.

To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or -/6. Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x. 
6x+=0
6x=-
x=-/6
Either way, our phase shift is equal to -/6.

The vertical shift is equal to D, which is -4.

 

y=-7\sin(6x+\pi)-4

Example Question #2 : Amplitude, Period, Phase Shift Of A Trig Function

State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function 

Possible Answers:

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 3

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 3

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 0

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 3

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 3

Correct answer:

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 3

Explanation:

A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D, 

  • amplitude is |A|
  • period is 2/|B|
  • phase shift is -C/B
  • vertical shift is D

In our equation, A=-1, B=1, C=-, and D=3. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift. 

To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=-1, so our amplitude is equal to 1.

The period is 2/B, and in this case B=1. Therefore the period of this function is equal to 2.

To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or . Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x. 
x-=0
x=
Either way, our phase shift is equal to .

The vertical shift is equal to D, which is 3.

Example Question #3 : Amplitude, Period, Phase Shift Of A Trig Function

State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function 

Possible Answers:

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: -3/2

Vertical Shift: -2

Amplitude: 1

Period: 3/2

Phase Shift: 

Vertical Shift: 2

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: -3/2

Vertical Shift: 2

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 3/2

Vertical Shift: 2

Correct answer:

Amplitude: 1

Period: 

Phase Shift: 3/2

Vertical Shift: 2

Explanation:

A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D, 

  • amplitude is |A|
  • period is 2/|B|
  • phase shift is -C/B
  • vertical shift is D

In our equation, A=1, B=2, C=-3, and D=2. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift. 

To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=1, so our amplitude is equal to 1.

The period is 2/B, and in this case B=2. Therefore the period of this function is equal to .

To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or 3/2. Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x. 
2x-3=0
2x=3
x=3/2
Either way, our phase shift is equal to 3/2.

The vertical shift is equal to D, which is 2.

Example Question #111 : Graphing Functions

Which of the trigonometric functions is represented by this graph?

Cscx

Possible Answers:

y = tan x

y = csc x

y = cot x

y = sec x

Correct answer:

y = csc x

Explanation:

This graph is the graph of y = csc x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except  where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at all multiples of . The range of this function is . The period of this function is .

Example Question #112 : Graphing Functions

Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?


Cotx

Possible Answers:

y = csc x

y = cot x

y = tan x

y = sec x

Correct answer:

y = cot x

Explanation:

This graph is the graph of y = cot x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except  where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at all multiples of . The range of this function is . The period of this function is .

Example Question #113 : Graphing Functions

Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?


Secx

Possible Answers:

y = cot x

y = csc x

y = tan x

y = sec x

Correct answer:

y = sec x

Explanation:

This graph is the graph of y = sec x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except  where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at  , , and so on. The range of this function is . The period of this function is 

Example Question #114 : Graphing Functions

Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?


Tan x

Possible Answers:

y = sec x

y = cot x

y = csc x

y = tan x

Correct answer:

y = tan x

Explanation:

This graph is the graph of y = tan x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except  where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at , and so on. The range of this function is . The period of this function is .

Example Question #5 : Trigonometric Graphs (All Six)

Which of the following functions has a y-intercept of 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The y-intercept of a function is found by substituting . When we do this to each, we can determine the y-intercept. Don't forget your unit circle! 

Thus, the function with a y-intercept of  is 

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