Obj.

20 Translating Graphs of Sine and Cosine

Unit 5 Trigonometric and Circular Functions

Concepts and Objectives

Graphs of the Sine and Cosine Functions (Obj. #20) Be able to identify how the graphs of the sine and cosine change due to changes in Amplitude Period Vertical translation Phase shift

Translating Sine and Cosine

We have seen what the graph of y = a sin bx looks like. Next, we can shift the graph vertically and/or horizontally. The full form of the sine function is y = c + asin b ( x d ) c affects the vertical position of the graph. A positive c shifts the graph c units up, and a negative c shifts the graph c units down. d shifts the graph horizontally. (x + d) shifts the graph d units to the left, and (x d) shifts the graph d units to the right.

Translating Sine and Cosine

With circular functions, a horizontal translation is called a phase shift. The phase shift is the absolute value of d. To sketch the translated graph, you can either divide the interval into four parts (eight parts for two periods) and chart the values as before, or you can sketch the stretched/compressed parent graph and translate it according to c and d. The second method is probably the easiest to do once you are comfortable with the basic graphs.

Graphing Sine and Cosine

Example: Graph y = 3cos x + over one period. 4 a = 3, b = 1, c = 0, d = to the left 4

Graphing Sine and Cosine

Example: Graph y = 1 + 2sin ( 4 x + ) over two periods. To find the value of b, we will have to factor out the 4 in front of the x: y = 1 + 2sin4 x + 4 a = 2, b = 4, c = 1, d = to the left 4 Period: 2 2 = = b 4 2

Graphing Sine and Cosine

Example: Graph y = 1 + 2sin ( 4 x + ) over two periods.

y = 1 + 2sin4 x + 4
a = 2, b = 4, c = 1, d = 4

Period:

Writing Equations From Graphs

Now that we know how the different factors affect the graphs of sine and cosine, we can write the equations from the graphs. Remember, from y = c + a sin b ( x d ) a is the amplitude (height) b is the period (width) c is the vertical shift (up or down) d is the phase shift (left or right) Also, recall that sine goes through the origin and cosine doesnt.

Writing Equations From Graphs

Example: Write an equation for the graph below.
1.

2.

3.

Find the middle of the graph. This tells us that c = 1 and a = 1. Shift the graph so that the middle is on the xaxis. Since the graph goes through the origin, we will use sine.

Writing Equations From Graphs

Example: Write an equation for the graph below.
4.

5.

Since the graph goes through the origin, we dont have to worry about a phase shift, so d = 0. One period of the graph is from 0 to , so we can use that to calculate b.

Writing Equations From Graphs

Example: Write an equation for the graph below.
2 = period b 2 = b b=2

y = 1 + sin2x

Writing Equations From Graphs

Example: Write an equation using cosine for the graph.
1 1. c = 2, a = 2
2.

This time we have a phase shift. Since we have to use cosine, we will shift the graph over /4 to the right. d= 4

Writing Equations From Graphs

Example: Write an equation using cosine for the graph.
3.

4.

Since cosine normally starts above the x-axis, this graph has a negative a. The period goes from 0 to 2, so b is 1.

1 y = 2 cos x + 2 4

Homework
College Algebra Page 605: 19-22, 24-30 (even), 36-42 (even) HW: 20, 24, 28, 30, 36, 40