Table of contents

0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
1. Measuring Angles40m
2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
3. Unit Circle1h 19m
4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
8. Vectors2h 25m
9. Polar Equations2h 5m
10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m

4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions

Graphs of the Sine and Cosine Functions

Trigonometry

4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions

Graphs of the Sine and Cosine Functions

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3:53 minutes

Problem 15

Textbook Question

In Exercises 14–15, use the method of adding y-coordinates to graph each function for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π.y = sin x + cos 1/2 x

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the function y = \sin x + \cos \frac{1}{2}x. This function is a combination of two trigonometric functions: \sin x and \cos \frac{1}{2}x.

Step 2: Identify the period of each component. The period of \sin x is 2\pi, and the period of \cos \frac{1}{2}x is 4\pi because the frequency is \frac{1}{2}.

Step 3: Create a table of values for x ranging from 0 to 2\pi. Calculate the corresponding y-values by adding the y-coordinates of \sin x and \cos \frac{1}{2}x for each x.

Step 4: Plot the points (x, y) on a graph using the calculated y-values from the table. This will help visualize the combined effect of the two functions over the interval 0 \leq x \leq 2\pi.

Step 5: Connect the plotted points smoothly to form the graph of the function y = \sin x + \cos \frac{1}{2}x, observing the combined oscillations and periodic behavior.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Trigonometric Functions

Trigonometric functions, such as sine and cosine, are fundamental periodic functions that describe relationships between angles and sides in right triangles. The sine function represents the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse, while the cosine function represents the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. Understanding their properties, including amplitude, period, and phase shift, is essential for graphing and analyzing their behavior.

Graphing Techniques

Graphing techniques involve plotting points on a coordinate system to visualize mathematical functions. For trigonometric functions, this includes identifying key points such as maximum and minimum values, zeros, and periodicity. The method of adding y-coordinates, as mentioned in the question, requires calculating the values of the individual functions at specific x-values and then summing these values to find the corresponding y-coordinate for the graph.

Periodicity

Periodicity refers to the repeating nature of trigonometric functions over specific intervals. The sine and cosine functions have a fundamental period of 2π, meaning their values repeat every 2π units along the x-axis. When combining functions, such as sin x and cos(1/2 x), understanding their individual periods is crucial for accurately determining the overall behavior and shape of the resulting graph within the specified interval.