Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cotangent Function
The cotangent function, denoted as cot(x), is the reciprocal of the tangent function. It is defined as cot(x) = cos(x)/sin(x). The cotangent function has a period of π, meaning it repeats its values every π units along the x-axis. Understanding its behavior is crucial for graphing and analyzing cotangent functions.
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Graphing Trigonometric Functions
Graphing trigonometric functions involves plotting their values over a specified interval. For the cotangent function, key features include vertical asymptotes where the function is undefined (at integer multiples of π), and the function crosses the x-axis at odd multiples of π/2. Recognizing these features helps in accurately sketching the graph.
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Amplitude and Vertical Stretch
In the function y = (1/2) cot(2x), the coefficient (1/2) represents a vertical stretch, affecting the height of the graph but not its period. The '2' inside the cotangent function indicates a horizontal compression, reducing the period to π/2. Understanding these transformations is essential for accurately graphing the function's behavior.
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