Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Amplitude and Vertical Stretch
The amplitude of a sine function represents the maximum distance from the midline to the peak of the graph. In the equation y = -3 sin x, the coefficient '3' indicates a vertical stretch by a factor of 3, meaning the peaks and troughs of the graph are three times further from the midline compared to the standard sine function.
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Stretches and Shrinks of Functions
Reflection Across Axes
Reflection in trigonometric functions occurs when the function is multiplied by a negative coefficient. In the equation y = -3 sin x, the negative sign indicates that the graph is reflected across the x-axis, flipping the peaks to troughs and vice versa, which alters the orientation of the sine wave.
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Graphing Transformations
Graphing transformations involve modifying the basic shape of a function through operations such as stretching, compressing, and reflecting. Understanding these transformations allows one to predict how changes in the function's equation affect its graph, such as how the amplitude and reflection in y = -3 sin x alter the standard sine wave.
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