Graphing Form of Sine and

Cosine Functions

Period
The length of one cycle of a graph.

Initial Trigonometric Graphing Form

Do not
write these
on your
worksheet
yet. We
still need
to add one
more
parameter.

Sine

y a sin x h k
Cosine

y a cos x h k

Requirements for a Sine/Cosine Graph

x-intercept
2
Arrows
(to show
that there
infinite
cycles)

4
At least one Period
(in other words, at least 5 consecutive
critical points accurately plotted)

The Amplitude and the Effect of a

Amplitude:
Half of the
distance between
the maximum and
minimum values
of the range of a
periodic function
with a bounded
range.

a
0<a<1
=<
a
>10
1
y sin
sin
0.5sin
x x x
y 3sin x

Amplitude =

0.5
1
3

The amplitude is the absolute value of a! It is a

positive distance.

Example: Sine
Transformation: Flip the parent graph and
translate it 3Pi/2 units to the left.
New Equation:

y=0

y sin x

3
2

Period:
x = -3/2

2
You need at least 5 consecutive critical points.

Example: Cosine
Transformation: Translate the parent graph Pi/2
units to the left and 1 unit down.
New Equation:

y cos x

Period:
y = -1
x = -/2

2
You need at least 5 consecutive critical points.

Sine v Cosine

Sine
Cosine

(Press the Graph)

Example: Sine or Cosine?

Transformation: Amplitude - 2 Graph Translation - 3 units up and
Period - 2
Orientation New Equation:
Since the Sine and Cosine
graphs are periodic and
translations of each other, there
are infinite equations that
represent the same curve.
2
Here are two examples.

y=3

Example: Sine or Cosine?

Transformation: Amplitude - 2 Graph - Sine
Translation - 3 units up and 3/4
to the left
Period - 2
Orientation - Positive
New Equation:

y=3

x = -3/4

y 2sin x

3
4

OR

Example: Sine or Cosine?

Transformation: Amplitude - 2 Graph - Cosine
/4 to the left
Translation - 3 units up and
Period - 2
Orientation - Positive
New Equation:

y=3

x = -/4

y 2 cos x

Changing the Period

Find the period for each graph and generalize the result.

y sin x

1 cycle in 2
2

Period

2
1

Period = 2

y sin 2 x 2 cycles in 2
Period

2
2

Period = 8

Period 124 2 4 8

y cos 14 x 1/4 cycle in 2

y cos 4 x 4 cycles in 2

Period =

Period

Period

2
4

12

2
The coefficient of x

Period = 0.5

Determining the Period of Sine/Cosine Graph

If y sin bx or y cos bx , the period (the

length of one cycle) is determined by:

Period

2
b

Ex: What is the period of f x 7 sin 3 x 2?

Period

2
3

Changing the Period w/o Affecting (h,k)

The key point (h,k) is a point on the sine graph.
Also, multiplying x by a constant changes the
period. Below are two different ways to write a
transformation. In order for the equation to be
useful, it must directly change the graph in a
specific manner. Which equation changes the
period and contains the point (-3,4)?

y sin 2 x 3 4
or

y sin 2 x 3 4

Graphing Form for Sine

y a sin b x h k
Period 2 b
k a

Amplitude: a

k
k a

Period:
h

2
b

Graphing Form for Cosine

y a cos b x h k
Period 2 b
k a

k
k a

Amplitude: a
Period:

2
b

Notation: Trigonometric Functions

y sin 2 x 5
6

Correct
way for
the
calculator!

is equivalent to

y sin 2 x 5
6

Example: Sine
Transformation: Change the amplitude to 0.5
and the period to . Then translate it /2 units
to the right and 1 unit down.
Not in
New Equation:

Graphing
form

y 0.5sin 2 x 1

y 0.5sin 2 x

2
y = -1

x = /2

Period:

2
2

You need at least 5 consecutive critical points.

Example: Cosine
Transformation: Change the period to 4 and
translate the parent graph 1 unit up.

y=1

New Equation:

y cos x 1
1
2

Period:
x=0

2
12

You need at least 5 consecutive critical points.

Example: Sine or Cosine?

Transformation: Amplitude -1.5 Graph Translation - 2 units down and
Period - /2
Orientation
2

New Equation:
Since the Sine and Cosine graphs are periodic and
translations of each other, there are infinite equations
that represent the same curve. Here are two
examples.

y = -2

Period:

b4

2
b

Example: Sine or Cosine?

Transformation: Amplitude -1.5 Graph - Cosine
Translation - 2 units down and
Period - /2
Orientation - Positive
x=0

New Equation:

y 1.5cos 4 x 2
y = -2

Period:

b4

2
b

OR

Example: Sine or Cosine?

Transformation: Amplitude -1.5 Graph - Sine
Translation - 2 units down and 5/8
to the right
Period - /2
Orientation - Negative
x = 5/8

New Equation:

y sin 4 x
3
2

y = -2

Period:

b4

2
b

5
8