1. 4.5 Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions
JMerrill, 2010

2. Amplitude: Sine Functionx y 1 -1
The maximum height of the sine function is 1. It goes one unit above and one unit below the x-axis, which is the center of it’s graph. This maximum height is called the amplitude. 1 1

3. Amplitude: Cosine Functionx y 1 1 -1
The maximum height of the cosine function is 1. It goes one unit above and one unit below the x-axis, which is the center of it’s graph. This maximum
height is called the amplitude. 1 1

4. Amplitude The amplitude of the normal sine or cosine function is 1.
To change the amplitude of a sine or cosine function, you would need to vertically stretch or shrink the function.
amplitude = |A|
(Choose the line that is dead-center of the graph. The amplitude has the same height above the center line (axis of the wave) as the height below the center line.

5. What is the amplitude? Examples
Vert. stretch by 3
Vert. shrink by ½
Vert. shrink by π/4

6. Period: Sine Function x y 1 -1y 1 -1
This one piece of the sine function repeats over and over, causing the sine function to be periodic. The length of this piece is called the period of the function.

7. Period: Cosine Functionx y 1 1 -1
This one piece of the cosine function repeats over and over, causing the cosine function to be periodic. The length of this piece is called the period of the function.

8. Period The period of a normal sine or cosine function is 2π.
To change the period of a sine or cosine function, you would need to horizontally stretch or shrink the function.
The period is found by: period =
In the equation, b affects the frequency, which is related to the period.

9. Period Examples of f(x) = sin bx
The period of the sinx (parent) is 2π
The period of sin2x is π. p=
If b > 1, the graph shrinks.
This graph is happening twice as often as the original wave.

10. Period Examples of f(x) = sin bx
The period of y = sinx (parent) is 2π
The period of sin ½ x is π. p=
If b < 1, the graph stretches.
This graph is happening half as often as the original wave.

11. What is the period? Examples
Horiz. stretch by ½
Horiz. shrink by 3
Horiz. shrink by 2π/3
Horiz. shrink by π/2

12. Examples: y = A sin bx y = A cos bx
Give the amplitude and period of each funtion:
Y = 4 cos 2x
A = 4,
y= -4 sin 1/3 x

13. Can You Write the Equation?
Sine or cosine?
Amplitude?
Period? b?
Equation? 2

14. Equation?
Sine or Cosine?
Amplitude?
Period? b?
Equation: 2 8

15. Translations of General Sine Waves
What does a refer to?
Referring to our previous equations
y = a sin bx
y = a cos bx
If we translate the graphs h units horizontally, and k units vertically, then the resulting equations are:
y = d + a sin b(x - c)
y = d + a cos b(x - c)
This is different than the book. My way is easier!!
What does b refer to?

16. Shifts
Phase Shift
When a graph is shifted c units horizontally, then x is replaced with (x-c)
Remember that a phase shifts acts in the opposite direction—just like all other functions. 1

17. Shifts
Vertical Shift
When a graph is shifted vertically, then y = d + blahblahblah is the equation. 4

18. Shifts
When the sine wave is shifted units to the left, what is the result?
A cosine wave!
So, sine and cosine curves are referred to as general sine waves.

19. Amplitude revisited
If the center of the wave is not at the x-axis, then amplitude can be found by
Amplitude can still be measured by the vertical distance between the center of the wave to the peak (and/or valley)

20. Axis of the Wave (Vertical Translation)
If the x-axis is not the center of the wave, then you need to find the center. The center is the average of the peak and the valley points
Axis of the wave: x =

21. Example To find the amplitude To find the axis of the wave
To verify the amplitude, what is the vertical distance from the axis of the wave to the peak or valley? 3 3

22. Write the Equation Axis of the wave? Amplitude? Period? 4
So, a = 2, b = ?

23. Write the Equation Cosine Equation?
To write the equation, look at the new x/y-axis (forget the old). Here, we changed the x-axis, but not the y-axis.
Sine or cosine?
Cosine
The vertical shift is the amount we raised the x-axis.
Equation?

24. Write the Equation Axis of the wave? x = 2 Amplitude? Period? B?
Sine or cosine?
Can’t tell? Move the y-axis. Sine or cosine?
Now, use the new set of axes and write the equation.

25. Write the Equation
a = 1
Cosine wave
Equation:

26. Same Graph - 2nd Equation
Axis of wave = 2
Move the y-axis to the left ½ unit.
Now it’s a sine wave!
Equation?

27. Equations of the Graph
Since sine and cosine are both general sine waves, both equations are correct!

28. You Do
Cosine wave:
Another cosine wave?

29. Same Wave
Sine wave:

30. Graphing: Find the Critical points
To find the critical intervals (max/min, intercepts)
To find the endpoint when graphing 2 complete cycles (always graph 2):

31. Graphing by Hand
2 examples we’ll do by hand: