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 47
Textbook Question
In Exercises 45–52, graph two periods of each function. y = sec(2x + π/2) − 1
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<Step 1: Identify the basic function.> The given function is $y = \sec(2x + \frac{\pi}{2}) - 1$. The basic function here is the secant function, $y = \sec(x)$, which is the reciprocal of the cosine function.
<Step 2: Determine the transformation.> The function $y = \sec(2x + \frac{\pi}{2}) - 1$ involves a horizontal compression and phase shift due to $2x + \frac{\pi}{2}$, and a vertical shift due to the $-1$.
<Step 3: Analyze the horizontal transformation.> The term $2x + \frac{\pi}{2}$ indicates a horizontal compression by a factor of 2 and a phase shift to the left by $\frac{\pi}{4}$ (since $\frac{\pi}{2}$ divided by 2 is $\frac{\pi}{4}$).
<Step 4: Analyze the vertical transformation.> The $-1$ at the end of the function indicates a vertical shift downward by 1 unit.
<Step 5: Graph the function.> Start by graphing the basic secant function, apply the horizontal compression and phase shift, and finally apply the vertical shift. Remember to graph two periods of the function, considering the period of $\sec(2x)$ is $\frac{\pi}{2}$.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Secant Function
The secant function, denoted as sec(x), is the reciprocal of the cosine function, defined as sec(x) = 1/cos(x). It is important to understand its properties, such as its domain, which excludes values where cos(x) = 0, leading to vertical asymptotes in its graph. The secant function has a periodic nature, with a period of 2π, but this can change with transformations.
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Graphing Transformations
Graphing transformations involve shifting, stretching, or compressing the graph of a function. In the given function y = sec(2x + π/2) − 1, the term '2x' indicates a horizontal compression by a factor of 1/2, while 'π/2' represents a phase shift to the left by π/4. The '−1' indicates a vertical shift downward by 1 unit, affecting the overall position of the graph.
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Period of a Function
The period of a function is the length of one complete cycle of the graph. For the secant function, the standard period is 2π, but when the function is modified by a coefficient, such as in sec(2x), the period is adjusted to 2π divided by that coefficient. In this case, the period becomes π, meaning the function will repeat its values every π units along the x-axis.
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