Now, if we compare this equation with first Eq.

, we will find that the amplitude) has replaced vc in the first Eq. From Eq. (5.5) it is clear that the peak amplitude of the modulated wave is determined by the amplitude vm and frequency (m) of the modulating wave. The term 0 in first Eq. is eliminated because it is not going to play any significant role in the amplitude modulated signal. The term vm/vc is known as an amplitude modulation index or depth of modulation and is denoted by ma. It provides us the measure of the extent to which carrier amplitude is varied by the modulating signal. The above Eq. can be rewritten in terms of the modulation index as:
T