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Ch. 4 - Graphs of the Circular Functions
Chapter 5, Problem 4.19

Graph each function over a one-period interval.
y = cot (3x)

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Identify the basic form of the cotangent function, which is \( y = \cot(x) \), and understand that \( y = \cot(3x) \) is a horizontal compression of this function.
Determine the period of \( y = \cot(3x) \). The period of \( \cot(x) \) is \( \pi \), so the period of \( \cot(3x) \) is \( \frac{\pi}{3} \).
Identify the vertical asymptotes of \( y = \cot(3x) \). For \( \cot(x) \), the vertical asymptotes occur at \( x = n\pi \), where \( n \) is an integer. For \( \cot(3x) \), the asymptotes occur at \( 3x = n\pi \), or \( x = \frac{n\pi}{3} \).
Plot the vertical asymptotes for one period, which are at \( x = 0 \) and \( x = \frac{\pi}{3} \).
Sketch the graph of \( y = \cot(3x) \) between the asymptotes, starting from positive infinity at \( x = 0 \), crossing the x-axis at \( x = \frac{\pi}{6} \), and approaching negative infinity at \( x = \frac{\pi}{3} \).

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Key Concepts

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

Cotangent Function

The cotangent function, denoted as cot(x), is the reciprocal of the tangent function. It is defined as cot(x) = cos(x)/sin(x). The cotangent function has a period of π, meaning it repeats its values every π units along the x-axis. Understanding its behavior, including asymptotes and zeros, is crucial for graphing.
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Period of a Function

The period of a function is the length of the interval over which the function completes one full cycle. For trigonometric functions, the period can be altered by a coefficient in front of the variable. In the case of y = cot(3x), the period is π/3, indicating that the function will repeat every π/3 units along the x-axis.
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Graphing Trigonometric Functions

Graphing trigonometric functions involves plotting key points, identifying asymptotes, and understanding the function's behavior over its period. For y = cot(3x), one must determine where the function is undefined (asymptotes) and where it crosses the x-axis (zeros). This process helps in accurately representing the function's characteristics on a graph.
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