Precalculus : Graph the Sine or Cosine Function

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #33 : Graphing The Sine And Cosine Functions

Which of the following functions has a y-intercept of \(\displaystyle 1\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle y = \csc(x)\)

\(\displaystyle y = \cot(x)\)

\(\displaystyle y = \sin(x)\)

\(\displaystyle y = \tan(x)\)

\(\displaystyle y = \cos(x)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle y = \cos(x)\)

Explanation:

The y-intercept of a function is found by substituting \(\displaystyle x = 0\). When we do this to each, we can determine the y-intercept. Don't forget your unit circle! 

\(\displaystyle y = sin(0) = 0\)

\(\displaystyle y = cos(0) = 1\)

\(\displaystyle y = csc(0) = undefined\)

\(\displaystyle y = tan(0)= 0\)

\(\displaystyle y = cot(0) = undefined\)

Thus, the function with a y-intercept of \(\displaystyle 1\) is \(\displaystyle y = cos(x)\)

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