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Study Guide: Graphs and Properties of Trigonometric Functions (Precalculus)

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Graphs and Properties of Trigonometric Functions

Graphing Sine and Cosine Functions

The sine and cosine functions are fundamental periodic functions in trigonometry. Their general forms are:

  • Sine:

  • Cosine:

Key properties:

  • Amplitude: (the maximum displacement from the midline)

  • Period: (the length of one complete cycle)

  • Phase Shift: (horizontal shift of the graph)

  • Vertical Shift: (moves the graph up or down)

  • x-coordinates of quarter points: Start at phase shift, add period 4

  • y-coordinates of quarter points:

Graphing Tangent Functions

The tangent function has a different periodicity and features vertical asymptotes:

  • General form:

  • Period:

  • Vertical Asymptotes: Occur at the endpoints of the principal cycle

  • x-coordinates of center, left & right halfway points: Start at left vertical asymptote, add period 4

  • y-coordinates of center, left & right halfway points:

  • Tangent values: Left: , Center: $0

Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

Each trigonometric function has a distinct graph, characterized by its period, amplitude, and symmetry.

Graphs of sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, cosecant, secant

Even and Odd Properties of Trigonometric Functions

Trigonometric functions can be classified as even or odd, which affects their symmetry:

  • Odd Functions: , , ,

  • Even Functions: ,

Inverse Trigonometric Function Intervals

Inverse trigonometric functions are defined on restricted intervals to ensure they are one-to-one:

  • : values , angles

  • : values , angles

  • : values , angles

Evaluating Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Inverse trigonometric functions return the angle whose trigonometric value is given. Their geometric interpretation is shown below:

Geometric interpretation of inverse trig functions

Special Values of Trigonometric Functions

Trigonometric functions have well-known values at special angles. These are often summarized in a table:

Angle

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

undefined

Unit circle and special values

Example Problems

Example 1: Sketching

Sketch the graph of and identify its properties: amplitude , period , phase shift , vertical shift . The graph is symmetric about the origin (odd function).

Example 2: Using Odd Function Property

Use the fact that is an odd function to determine which expression is equivalent to .

Example 3: Sketching

Sketch the graph of and identify its properties: period , vertical asymptotes at , odd function.

Example 4: Identifying Trigonometric Function from Graph

Given a graph of one cycle of a trigonometric function, determine the equation of the function in the form or .

Graph of a trigonometric function

Example 5: Determining Period and Quarter Points

Determine the period of and sketch its graph. The period is .

Example 6: Amplitude, Range, Period, and Phase Shift

Determine the amplitude, range, period, and phase shift for a given function and sketch the graph using quarter points.

Example 7: Tangent Function Principal Cycle

For a tangent function, determine the interval for the principal cycle, period, equations of vertical asymptotes, and coordinates of center and halfway points. Sketch the graph.

Example 8: Range of a Sine Function

Determine the range of . The range is .

Example 9: Exact Values of Trigonometric Expressions

Find the exact value of trigonometric expressions at special angles using the table above.

Summary Table: Trigonometric Function Properties

Function

Amplitude

Period

Phase Shift

Vertical Shift

Even/Odd

Odd

Even

N/A

Odd

Additional info: Academic context and explanations have been expanded for clarity and completeness. Only directly relevant images and tables have been included to reinforce the study material.

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