Precalculus : Graphs and Inverses of Trigonometric Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Harmonic Motion

Create an equation modelling temperature , with highest temperature at , which is  degrees and lowest temperature of  degrees which occurs at .  Assume that this model is sinusoidal and use a cosine model. 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This can be written in the general form of:

Since the maximum occurs at , we can arbitrarily choose  since cosine would be maximum when the inner term is equal to 

To determine , let's determine the period first. 

The period is equal to twice the length between adjacent crest and trough.

For us that is:

 

To determine , we do

To determine 

To determine ,

The entire regression can therefore be written as:

The only thing that can be changed to keep the regression the same is the phase shift , and sign of the amplitude . The other two terms must be kept as they are. 

Example Question #1 : Graph The Sine Or Cosine Function

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 

Example Question #1 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Find the phase shift of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In the formula,

 .

 represents the phase shift.

Plugging in what we know gives us:

 .

Simplified, the phase is then .

Example Question #2 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Please choose the best answer from the following choices.

 

Describe the phase shift of the following function:

Possible Answers:

Vertical stretch by  radians.

Shift left by  radians.

Shift down by  radians.

Shift up by  radians.

Correct answer:

Shift left by  radians.

Explanation:

Since  is being added inside the parentheses, there will be a horizontal shift. The goal is to maintain zero within the parentheses so you will shift left  radians.

Example Question #1 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Which equation would produce this graph?

Phase shift 1

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is the graph of sine, but shifted to the right units. To reflect this shift, should be subtracted from x.

Thus resulting in 

.

Example Question #1 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine 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 #5 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Write the equation for a sine graph with a maximum at  and a minimum at .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To write this equation, it is helpful to sketch a graph:

Trig graph 1

Indicating the maximum and minimum points, we can see that this graph has been shifted up 1, and it has an amplitude of 2.

The distance from the maximum to the minimum point is half the wavelength. In this case, the wavelength is . That means the full wavelength is , and the frequency is 1. 

This sketch shows that the graph starts to the left of the y-axis. To figure out exactly where, subtract from the maximum x-coordinate, :

.

Our equation will be in the form where A is the amplitude, f is the frequency, h is the horizontal shift, and k is the vertical shift.

This graph has an equation of 

.

Example Question #1 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Write the equation for a cosine graph with a maximum at  and a minimum at .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to write this equation, it is helpful to sketch a graph:

Trig graph 2

The dotted line is at , where the maximum occurs and therefore where the graph starts. This means that the graph is shifted to the right

The distance from the maximum to the minimum is half the entire wavelength. Here it is .

Since half the wavelength is , that means the full wavelength is so the frequency is just 1.

The amplitude is 3 because the graph goes symmetrically from -3 to 3.

The equation will be in the form where A is the amplitude, f is the frequency, h is the horizontal shift, and k is the vertical shift. 

This equation is

.

Example Question #7 : Find The Phase Shift Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Write the equation for a sine function with a maximum at  and a minimum at .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation will be in the form where A is the amplitude, f is the frequency, h is the horizontal shift, and k is the vertical shift.

To write the equation, it is helpful to sketch a graph:

Trig graph 3

From plotting the maximum and minimum, we can see that the graph is centered on with an amplitude of 3.

The distance from the maximum to the minimum is half the wavelength. For this graph, this distance is .

This means that the total wavelength is and the frequency is 1.

The graph starts behind the maximum point. To determine this x value, subtract from the x-coordinate of the maximum:

Our equation is:

.

Example Question #1 : Find The Period Of A Sine Or Cosine Function

Given , what is the period for the function?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The formula for the period of a sine/cosine function is .

With the standard form being:

Since , the formula becomes .

Simplified, the period is .

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