Graphing Functions - Pre-Calculus
Card 0 of 444
True or false: If you translate a sine curve 90o to the left along the x-axis, you will have a cosine curve.
True or false: If you translate a sine curve 90o to the left along the x-axis, you will have a cosine curve.
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This is true! Notice the similarity of the shape between the graphs, but that they intercept the x-axis at different spots, and their peaks and valleys are at different spots.
y=sin(x), passes through the point (0,0)
y=cos(x), passes through the point (0,1)
This is true! Notice the similarity of the shape between the graphs, but that they intercept the x-axis at different spots, and their peaks and valleys are at different spots.
y=sin(x), passes through the point (0,0)
y=cos(x), passes through the point (0,1)
What is the amplitude of the following function?
What is the amplitude of the following function?
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When you think of a trigonometric function of the form y=Asin(Bx+C)+D, the amplitude is represented by A, or the coefficient in front of the sine function. While this number is -24, we always represent amplitude as a positive number, by taking the absolute value of it. Therefore, the amplitude of this function is 24.
When you think of a trigonometric function of the form y=Asin(Bx+C)+D, the amplitude is represented by A, or the coefficient in front of the sine function. While this number is -24, we always represent amplitude as a positive number, by taking the absolute value of it. Therefore, the amplitude of this function is 24.
Select the answer choice that correctly matches each function to its period.
Select the answer choice that correctly matches each function to its period.
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The following matches the correct period with its corresponding trig function:
In other words, sin x, cos x, sec x, and csc x all repeat themselves every 
units. However, tan x and cot x repeat themselves more frequently, every 
units.
The following matches the correct period with its corresponding trig function:
In other words, sin x, cos x, sec x, and csc x all repeat themselves every 
What is the period of this sine graph?
What is the period of this sine graph?
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The graph has 3 waves between 0 and 
, meaning that the length of each of the waves is 
divided by 3, or 
.
The graph has 3 waves between 0 and
Write the equation for a cosine graph with a maximum at 
and a minimum at 
.
Write the equation for a cosine graph with a maximum at
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In order to write this equation, it is helpful to sketch a graph:
The dotted line is at 
, where the maximum occurs and therefore where the graph starts. This means that the graph is shifted to the right 
.
The distance from the maximum to the minimum is half the entire wavelength. Here it is 
.
Since half the wavelength is 
, that means the full wavelength is 
so the frequency is just 1.
The amplitude is 3 because the graph goes symmetrically from -3 to 3.
The equation will be in the form 
where A is the amplitude, f is the frequency, h is the horizontal shift, and k is the vertical shift.
This equation is
.
In order to write this equation, it is helpful to sketch a graph:
The dotted line is at
The distance from the maximum to the minimum is half the entire wavelength. Here it is
Since half the wavelength is
The amplitude is 3 because the graph goes symmetrically from -3 to 3.
The equation will be in the form
This equation is
Find the phase shift of 
.
Find the phase shift of
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In the formula,
.
represents the phase shift.
Plugging in what we know gives us:
.
Simplified, the phase is then 
.
In the formula,
Plugging in what we know gives us:
Simplified, the phase is then
Which equation would produce this sine graph?
Which equation would produce this sine graph?
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The graph has an amplitude of 2 but has been shifted down 1:
In terms of the equation, this puts a 2 in front of sin, and -1 at the end.
This makes it easier to see that the graph starts \[is at 0\] where 
.
The phase shift is 
to the right, or 
.
The graph has an amplitude of 2 but has been shifted down 1:
In terms of the equation, this puts a 2 in front of sin, and -1 at the end.
This makes it easier to see that the graph starts \[is at 0\] where
The phase shift is
Which of the following equations could represent a cosine function with amplitude 3, period 
, and a phase shift of 
?
Which of the following equations could represent a cosine function with amplitude 3, period 
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The form of the equation will be 
First, think about all possible values of A that could give you an amplitude of 3. Either A = -3 or A = 3 could each produce amplitude = 3. Be sure to look for answer choices that satisfy either of these.
Secondly, we know that the period is 
. Normally we know what B is and need to find the period, but this is the other way around. We can still use the same equation and solve:
. You can cross multiply to solve and get B = 4.
Finally, we need to find a value of C that satisfies
. Cross multiply to get:
.
Next, plug in B= 4 to solve for C:
Putting this all together, the equation could either be:
or 
The form of the equation will be
First, think about all possible values of A that could give you an amplitude of 3. Either A = -3 or A = 3 could each produce amplitude = 3. Be sure to look for answer choices that satisfy either of these.
Secondly, we know that the period is 
Finally, we need to find a value of C that satisfies
Next, plug in B= 4 to solve for C:
Putting this all together, the equation could either be:
State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function 
State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function
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A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D,
- amplitude is |A|
- period is 2
/|B|
- phase shift is - C/B
- vertical shift is D
In our equation, A=-7, B=6, C=
, and D=-4. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift.
To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=-7, so our amplitude is equal to 7.
The period is 2
/B, and in this case B=6. Therefore the period of this function is equal to 2
/6 or 
/3.
To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or -
/6. Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x.
6x+
=0
6x=-
x=-
/6
Either way, our phase shift is equal to -
/6.
The vertical shift is equal to D, which is -4.
y=-7\sin(6x+\pi)-4
A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D,
- amplitude is |A|
- period is 2
- phase shift is - C/B
- vertical shift is D
/|B|In our equation, A=-7, B=6, C=
To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=-7, so our amplitude is equal to 7.
The period is 2
To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or -
6x+
6x=-
x=-
Either way, our phase shift is equal to -
The vertical shift is equal to D, which is -4.
y=-7\sin(6x+\pi)-4
State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function 
State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function
Tap to see back →
A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D,
- amplitude is |A|
- period is 2/|B|
- phase shift is - C/B
- vertical shift is D
In our equation, A=-1, B=1, C=-
, and D=3. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift.
To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=-1, so our amplitude is equal to 1.
The period is 2/B, and in this case B=1. Therefore the period of this function is equal to 2
.
To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or 
. Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x.
x-
=0
x=
Either way, our phase shift is equal to 
.
The vertical shift is equal to D, which is 3.
A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D,
- amplitude is |A|
- period is 2
- phase shift is - C/B
- vertical shift is D
In our equation, A=-1, B=1, C=-
To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=-1, so our amplitude is equal to 1.
The period is 2
To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or 
x-
x=
Either way, our phase shift is equal to 
The vertical shift is equal to D, which is 3.
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
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This graph is the graph of y = tan x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except 
where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at 
, and so on. The range of this function is 
. The period of this function is 
.
This graph is the graph of y = tan x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except 
State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function 
State the amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift of the function
Tap to see back →
A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D,
- amplitude is |A|
- period is 2/|B|
- phase shift is - C/B
- vertical shift is D
In our equation, A=1, B=2, C=-3, and D=2. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift.
To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=1, so our amplitude is equal to 1.
The period is 2/B, and in this case B=2. Therefore the period of this function is equal to .
To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or 3/2. Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x.
2x-3=0
2x=3
x=3/2
Either way, our phase shift is equal to 3/2.
The vertical shift is equal to D, which is 2.
A common way to make sense of all of the transformations that can happen to a trigonometric function is the following. For the equations y = A sin(Bx + C) + D,
- amplitude is |A|
- period is 2
- phase shift is - C/B
- vertical shift is D
In our equation, A=1, B=2, C=-3, and D=2. Next, apply the above numbers to find amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift.
To find amplitude, look at the coefficient in front of the sine function. A=1, so our amplitude is equal to 1.
The period is 2
To find the phase shift, take -C/B, or 3/2. Another way to find this same value is to set the inside of the parenthesis equal to 0, then solve for x.
2x-3=0
2x=3
x=3/2
Either way, our phase shift is equal to 3/2.
The vertical shift is equal to D, which is 2.
Information about the Hardy Weinberg equation: http://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/hardy-weinberg-equation-299
The Hardy Weinberg equation is a very important concept in population genetics. Suppose we have two "alleles" for a specific trait (like eye color, gender, etc..) The proportion for which allele is present is given by 
and 
Then by Hardy-Weinberg:
, where both 
and 
are non-negative.
Which statement discribes the graph that would appropriately represents the above relation?
Information about the Hardy Weinberg equation: http://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/hardy-weinberg-equation-299
The Hardy Weinberg equation is a very important concept in population genetics. Suppose we have two "alleles" for a specific trait (like eye color, gender, etc..) The proportion for which allele is present is given by
Then by Hardy-Weinberg:
Which statement discribes the graph that would appropriately represents the above relation?
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The equation can be reduced by taking the square root of both sides.
As a simple test, all other values when substituted into the original equation fail. However, 
works. Therefore 
is our answer.
The equation can be reduced by taking the square root of both sides.
As a simple test, all other values when substituted into the original equation fail. However,
Which of the trigonometric functions is represented by this graph?
Which of the trigonometric functions is represented by this graph?
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This graph is the graph of y = csc x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except 
where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at all multiples of 
. The range of this function is 
. The period of this function is 
.
This graph is the graph of y = csc x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except 
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
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This graph is the graph of y = cot x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at all multiples of . The range of this function is . The period of this function is .
This graph is the graph of y = cot x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
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This graph is the graph of y = sec x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except 
where n is any integer. In other words, there are vertical asymptotes at 
, 
, 
, and so on. The range of this function is 
. The period of this function is 
This graph is the graph of y = sec x. The domain of this function is all real numbers except 
Which of the following functions has a y-intercept of 
?
Which of the following functions has a y-intercept of
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The y-intercept of a function is found by substituting 
. When we do this to each, we can determine the y-intercept. Don't forget your unit circle!
Thus, the function with a y-intercept of 
is 
.
The y-intercept of a function is found by substituting
Thus, the function with a y-intercept of
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
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This graph is the graph of y = cos x. The domain of this function is all real numbers. The range of this function is 
. The period of this function is 
.
This graph is the graph of y = cos x. The domain of this function is all real numbers. The range of this function is 
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
Which of the following functions is represented by this graph?
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This graph is the graph of y = sin x. The domain of this function is all real numbers. The range of this function is 
. The period of this function is 
.
This graph is the graph of y = sin x. The domain of this function is all real numbers. The range of this function is 
True or false: If you translate a secant function 
units to the left along the x-axis, you will have a cosecant curve.
True or false: If you translate a secant function 
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This is false. While the graphs of secant and cosecant functions are related, in order to turn a secant function into a cosecant function, you'd need to translate the original graph 
units to the right to obtain a cosecant graph.
This is false. While the graphs of secant and cosecant functions are related, in order to turn a secant function into a cosecant function, you'd need to translate the original graph 