In the function of y=a sin ( bx+ c ) + d , the variable of d stand for “vertical shift” in

the graph. Vertical shift is the measure of how far the graph has shifted vertically,
either up or down, from its initial point. The different values of variable d in the
function will give the results of different starting point, minimum and maximum value
of y to the graph of function. The minimum and maximum value of y of the sine graph
will be affected if the vertical shift is not zero. To determine the minimum value of y of
the sine graph, we can use the formula of d−a, which is the vertical shift minus the
amplitude. However, to determine the minimum value of y of the sine graph, we can
use the formula of d +a , which is the vertical shift plus the amplitude. Below is the
graph of sine function with the different values of d , but the variable a is fixed as 1,
while the variables of b and c are fixed as 1 and 0 respectively:

11
y = sin x +
2
6

y = sin x +1
2

5π 9π 4π 7π 3π 5π 2π 3π π π π π 3π 2π 5π 3π 7π 4π 9π 5π
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

y = sin x - 5
4

From the graph, we can see that, when y=sin x +1, where d=1, the whole sine
graph has shift up vertically 1 unit from its initial point. By using the formula of
d +a=1+1=2, which is vertical shift plus amplitude, the maximum value of y in the
sine graph is 2. While, by using the formula of d−a=1−1=0 , which is vertical shift
minus amplitude, the minimum value of y in the sine graph is 0. Because of the
whole sine graph has to move up one unit, hence the starting point of the graph that
start from 0 will change to 1.
 When y=sin x−5, where d=−5, the whole sine graph has shift down vertically
5 units from its initial point. By using the formula of d +a=−5+1=−4 , which is
vertical shift plus amplitude, the maximum value of y in the sine graph is −4. While,
by using the formula of d−a=−5−1=−6, which is vertical shift minus amplitude,
the minimum value of y in the sine graph is −6 . Because of the whole sine graph
has to move down 5 units, hence the starting point of the graph that start from 0 will
change to −5.
11 11
Lastly, when y=sin x + , where d= , the whole sine graph has shift up
2 2
11 11 13
vertically units from its initial point. By using the formula of d +a= +1= ,
2 2 2
13
which is vertical shift plus amplitude, the maximum value of y in the sine graph is .
2
11 9
While, by using the formula of d−a= −1= , which is vertical shift minus
2 2
9
amplitude, the minimum value of y in the sine graph is . Because of the whole sine
2
9
graph has to move up units, hence the starting point of the graph that start from 0
2
9
will change to .
2

The same concept is also applying on the cosine graph, y=a cos ( bx +c )+ d .
Below is the graph of cosine function with the different values of b , but the variable of
a is fixed as 1, while variables of b and c are fixed as 1 and 0 respectively:

9 6
y = cos x +
2

y = cos x + 1
2

11π 5π 9π 4π 7π 3π 5π 2π 3π π π π π 3π 2π 5π 3π 7π 4π 9π 5π 11π
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

y = cos x - 3 4

8
 From the graph, we can see that, when y=cos x+1 , where d=1, the whole
cosine graph has shift up vertically 1 unit from its initial point. By using the formula of
d +a=1+1=2, which is vertical shift plus amplitude, the maximum value of y in the
cosine graph is 2. While, by using the formula of d−a=1−1=0 , which is vertical shift
minus amplitude, the minimum value of y in the cosine graph is 0. Because of the
whole cosine graph has to move up one unit, hence the starting point of the graph
that start from 0 will change to 1.
When y=cos x−3, where d=−3, the whole cosine graph has shift down
vertically 3 units from its initial point. By using the formula of d +a=−3+1=−2 which
is vertical shift plus amplitude, the maximum value of y in the cosine graph is −2.
While, by using the formula of d−a=−3−1=−4 , which is vertical shift minus
amplitude, the minimum value of y in the cosine graph is −4. Because of the whole
cosine graph has to move down 3 units, hence the starting point of the graph that
start from 0 will change to −3.
9 9
Lastly, when y=cos x+ , where d= , the whole cosine graph has shift up
2 2
9 9 11
vertically units from its initial point. By using the formula of d +a= + 1= , which
2 2 2
11
is vertical shift plus amplitude, the maximum value of y in the cosine graph is .
2
9 7
While, by using the formula of d−a= −1= , which is vertical shift minus
2 2
7
amplitude, the minimum value of y in the cosine graph is . Because of the whole
2
9
cosine graph has to move up units, hence the starting point of the graph that start
2
9
from 0 will change to .
2
From the description above, we can conclude that the starting point, minimum
and maximum value of y in the graph of function are depend on the variable ofd , that
is vertical shift. If the vertical shift is positive, then the whole graph will be move up. If
the vertical shift is negative, then the whole graph will be move down.