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Ch. 2 - Graphs of the Trigonometric Functions; Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 2, Problem 13

In Exercises 12–13, use a vertical shift to graph one period of the function. y = 2 cos 1/3 x − 2

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Identify the basic function: The given function is based on the cosine function, which is \( y = \cos(x) \).
Determine the amplitude: The coefficient of the cosine function is 2, so the amplitude is 2. This means the graph will stretch vertically by a factor of 2.
Identify the period: The coefficient of \( x \) inside the cosine function is \( \frac{1}{3} \), which affects the period. The period of \( \cos(x) \) is \( 2\pi \), so the period of \( \cos(\frac{1}{3}x) \) is \( 2\pi \times 3 = 6\pi \).
Determine the vertical shift: The function has a vertical shift of -2, which means the entire graph will move down by 2 units.
Graph one period: Start by plotting the key points of the cosine function over one period \( [0, 6\pi] \), apply the amplitude change, and then shift the graph down by 2 units to complete the graphing of one period.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cosine Function

The cosine function is a fundamental trigonometric function that describes the relationship between the angle and the adjacent side over the hypotenuse in a right triangle. It is periodic, with a standard period of 2π, meaning it repeats its values every 2π radians. The graph of the cosine function is a wave that oscillates between -1 and 1, and it is symmetric about the y-axis.
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Graph of Sine and Cosine Function

Vertical Shift

A vertical shift in a function occurs when a constant is added or subtracted from the function's output. In the given function, y = 2 cos(1/3 x) - 2, the '-2' indicates a downward shift of the entire cosine graph by 2 units. This transformation affects the midline of the graph, moving it from y=0 to y=-2, while the amplitude and period remain unchanged.
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Amplitude and Period

The amplitude of a trigonometric function refers to the height of the wave from its midline to its maximum or minimum value. In the function y = 2 cos(1/3 x) - 2, the amplitude is 2, indicating the graph will reach a maximum of -2 + 2 = 0 and a minimum of -2 - 2 = -4. The period, determined by the coefficient of x, is calculated as 2π divided by the coefficient, resulting in a period of 6π for this function.
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