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
4:37 minutes
Problem 49
Textbook Question
In Exercises 45–52, graph two periods of each function. y = csc|x|
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Step 1: Understand the function y = csc|x|. The cosecant function, csc(x), is the reciprocal of the sine function, so csc(x) = 1/sin(x). The absolute value in csc|x| means we consider the positive value of x for the sine function.
Step 2: Identify the domain of y = csc|x|. Since csc(x) is undefined where sin(x) = 0, the function y = csc|x| is undefined at x = nπ, where n is an integer. This means there will be vertical asymptotes at these points.
Step 3: Determine the range of y = csc|x|. Since csc(x) is the reciprocal of sin(x), and sin(x) ranges from -1 to 1, csc(x) will range from (-∞, -1] ∪ [1, ∞). The absolute value does not affect the range since it only affects the input to the sine function.
Step 4: Sketch the graph of y = csc|x|. Start by plotting the vertical asymptotes at x = nπ. Then, plot the basic shape of the csc(x) function between these asymptotes, keeping in mind that the graph will be symmetric about the y-axis due to the absolute value.
Step 5: Repeat the pattern to graph two periods of the function. Since the period of csc(x) is 2π, graph the function from -2π to 2π, ensuring to include the vertical asymptotes and the general shape of the csc(x) function in each period.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cosecant Function
The cosecant function, denoted as csc(x), is the reciprocal of the sine function. It is defined as csc(x) = 1/sin(x). The cosecant function is undefined wherever the sine function is zero, leading to vertical asymptotes in its graph. Understanding the properties of the sine function is crucial for accurately graphing the cosecant function.
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Graphing Periodic Functions
Periodic functions repeat their values in regular intervals, known as periods. For the cosecant function, the period is 2π, meaning the function's values repeat every 2π units along the x-axis. When graphing, it is essential to identify key points, asymptotes, and the overall shape of the function to accurately represent its behavior over two periods.
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Absolute Value in Functions
The absolute value function, denoted as |x|, transforms all negative inputs into positive outputs. In the context of y = csc|x|, this means the graph will be symmetric about the y-axis, as the function behaves the same for both positive and negative x-values. Recognizing how absolute values affect the graph's symmetry and behavior is vital for accurate representation.
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