Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Secant Function
The secant function, denoted as sec(x), is the reciprocal of the cosine function, defined as sec(x) = 1/cos(x). It is important to understand its properties, such as its domain, which excludes values where cos(x) = 0, leading to vertical asymptotes in its graph. The secant function has a periodic nature, with a period of 2π, but this can change with transformations.
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Graphing Transformations
Graphing transformations involve shifting, stretching, or compressing the graph of a function. In the given function y = sec(2x + π/2) − 1, the term '2x' indicates a horizontal compression by a factor of 1/2, while 'π/2' represents a phase shift to the left by π/4. The '−1' indicates a vertical shift downward by 1 unit, affecting the overall position of the graph.
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Period of a Function
The period of a function is the length of one complete cycle of the graph. For the secant function, the standard period is 2π, but when the function is modified by a coefficient, such as in sec(2x), the period is adjusted to 2π divided by that coefficient. In this case, the period becomes π, meaning the function will repeat its values every π units along the x-axis.
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