Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions
Graphs of Tangent and Cotangent Functions
Problem 4.16
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionFor each function, give the amplitude, period, vertical translation, and phase shift, as applicable.
y = cot (x/2 + 3π/4)
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Amplitude
Amplitude refers to the maximum distance a wave reaches from its central axis or equilibrium position. In trigonometric functions like sine and cosine, amplitude is a key feature, but for functions like cotangent, which do not oscillate above and below a central line, amplitude is not defined. Understanding amplitude is crucial for analyzing periodic functions.
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Period
The period of a trigonometric function is the length of one complete cycle of the wave. For the cotangent function, the standard period is π, but it can be altered by a coefficient in front of the variable. In the given function y = cot(x/2 + 3π/4), the period is determined by the coefficient of x, which in this case is 1/2, resulting in a period of 2π.
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Phase Shift
Phase shift refers to the horizontal displacement of a periodic function along the x-axis. It is determined by the constant added or subtracted from the variable inside the function. In the function y = cot(x/2 + 3π/4), the phase shift can be calculated by setting the inside of the cotangent function equal to zero, leading to a shift of -3π/4 to the left, which affects the function's starting point.
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