GRAPHING SINE AND COSINE FUNCTIONS

Step 1: Identify all of the constants: a, b, h, and k.

 If needed rewrite equation in the form y = a sin (b (x – h)) + k
a cos (b (x – h)) + k
Step 2: Calculate the period with the formula:
 2π / b or 360° / b

Step 3: Calculate the interval length (x-scale) formula:

 x-scale = PERIOD / 4
Step 4: Find the Beginning Point x-value and the Ending Point x-
value
 Begin Point x-value = 0 + h
 End Point x-value = Period + h
Step 5: Calculate the graph x-values
 The x-value for the second point is obtained by adding the
interval length (x-scale) to the first point x-value
 The x-value for the third point is calculated by adding the
interval length to the second point x-value, and so forth for the
5 point x-values.

Step 6: Label the x and y axes with the appropriate values and mark
the midline.

Step 7: Plot the points based on the shape of the parent curve and if
it is reflected.
Step 8: Connect the points with a smooth curve. Add additional
cycles to the left and right as needed.