9/5/2019 Trig Graph Vocabulary - MathBitsNotebook(A2 - CCSS Math)

Trigonometric Graphs Vocabulary

MathBitsNotebook.com
Topical Outline | Algebra 2 Outline | MathBits' Teacher Resources

Terms of Use Contact Person: Donna Roberts

Let's see what vocabulary is needed to discuss the graphs of trigonometric functions.

midline:
A midline of a sinusoidal function is the horizontal
center line about which the function oscillates above
and below. For y = sin x, the midline is y = 0 (the x-
axis). The midline is parallel to the x-axis and is
located half-way between the graphs maximum and
minimum values.

The midline is affected by any vertical translations to

the graph. For example, y = sin(x) + 2 has a midline
at y = 2.

amplitude:
The amplitude of a sinusoidal function is one-half of
the positive difference between the maximum and
minimum values of a function.

It is simply the vertical distance from the x-axis (or The maximum of y = sin x is 1.
midline) to the highest (or lowest) point on the curve. The minimum is -1.
Amplitude is the magnitude (height) of the oscillation (wave) of a The amplitude is ½ (1 - (-1)) = 1.
sinusoidal function.

maximum = +3, minimum = -3

https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra2/TrigGraphs/TGTrigVocab.html 1/4
9/5/2019 Trig Graph Vocabulary - MathBitsNotebook(A2 - CCSS Math)

amplitude = ½ (+3 - (-3)) = 3 maximum = +4, minimum = -2

As a distance measurement, amplitude is always positive. amplitude= ½ (+4 - (-2)) = 3
Note: Look carefully at the two graphs shown above. At first glance they may look to be the same.
But the graph on the right is a vertical shift of the graph on the left. While vertical shifts alter the
maximum and minimum values of a function, they do not alter the amplitude. Also, horizontal shifts
do not affect the amplitude.

period:
A periodic function is a trigonometric function which
repeats a pattern of y-values at regular intervals. One
complete repetition of the pattern is called a cycle.
The period of a function is the horizontal length of
one complete cycle.

The period may also be described as the distance from

This sine curve, y = sin x, has a period of 2π,
one "peak" (max) to the next "peak" (max). the horizontal length of one complete cycle.

In functional notation we could say: The period is the smallest value of k in a function f for which there exists
some constant k such that f (t) = f (t + k) for every number t in the domain of f.

frequency:
The frequency of a trigonometric function is the
number of cycles it completes in a given interval. This
interval is generally 2π radians (or 360º) for the sine
and cosine curves.
In terms of a formula:

This sine curve, y = sin x, completes 1 cycle in the

It is also true that: interval from 0 to 2π radians. Its frequency is 1 in
the interval of 2π.

FYI: In application problems, when frequency is measured "per second" it is called "Hertz"
(10 Hertz means 10 times per second).

sinusoidal curve:
A sinusoidal curve is the graph of the sine
function in trigonometry.

A sinusoid is the name given to any curve that

can be written in the form

https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra2/TrigGraphs/TGTrigVocab.html 2/4
9/5/2019 Trig Graph Vocabulary - MathBitsNotebook(A2 - CCSS Math)

The example at the right is

The cosine wave is also said to be sinusoidal

because of the relationship

which makes it the sine wave with a

horizontal shift.
The cosine function, which appears to have a "head start" on the sine function, is often said to lead
the sine function (or the sine function lags the cosine function). Both sine and cosine fall under the
category of sinusoids, since the cosine graph is simply a 90º shift to the left of the sine graph. The
sine and cosine functions are the most popular of the trigonometric functions used for modeling.

horizontal shift, phase shift:

From the sinusoidal equation,

the horizontal shift is obtained by determining the

change being made to the x-value.

The horizontal shift is C.

In mathematics, a horizontal shift of a trigonometric

function may also be referred to as a phase shift.
(see more about phase shift)

Remember that the expression (x - C) from the sinusoidal equation, may look like:
• (x - 2) where 2 is a positive value being subtracted, when the shift is to the right.
• (x + 2) where 2 is a negative value being subtracted, when the shift is to the left.

NOTE: The re-posting of materials (in part or whole) from this site to the Internet is copyright violation
and is not considered "fair use" for educators. Please read the "Terms of Use".

Topical Outline | Algebra 2 Outline | MathBitsNotebook.com | MathBits' Teacher Resources

Terms of Use Contact Person: Donna Roberts

https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra2/TrigGraphs/TGTrigVocab.html 3/4
9/5/2019 Trig Graph Vocabulary - MathBitsNotebook(A2 - CCSS Math)
Copyright 2012-2019 MathBitsNotebook.com
All Rights Reserved

https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra2/TrigGraphs/TGTrigVocab.html 4/4