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4.1: Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

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Location by Coordinates

One of the most useful applications of the trigonometric ratios allows us to find distances or locations specified by angles. Starting with the definitions of sine and cosine,

cosθ=xr and sinθ=yr

we can solve for x and y, the coordinates of points on the terminal side of the angle, and obtain the following results.

Coordinates

If point P is located at a distance r from the origin in the direction specified by angle θ in standard position, then the coordinates of P are

x=rcosθ and y=rsinθ

These formulas make sense when we think of the unit circle. On a unit circle, the coordinates of a point designated by angle θ are (cosθ,sinθ, as shown below. On a circle of radius r, the angle θ forms a similar triangle whose dimensions are scaled up by a factor of r. In particular, the legs of the new triangle are r times larger than the original triangle.

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 9.51.16 PM.png

Example 4.25

Point P is located 6 centimeters from the origin in the direction of 292. Find the coordinates of P, rounded to hundredths.

Answer

The location of point P is shown below. We see that r=6, and we can use a calculator to evaluate cos292 and sin292.

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 9.56.30 PM.png

x=rcos292 and y=rsin292=6(0.3746)=6(0.9272)=2.2476=5.5632

The coordinates of P are approximately (2.25, −5.56).

Checkpoint 4.26

You find an old map that shows a buried treasure located 500 yards from the big oak tree in the direction 215, as shown at right. You don’t have anything with you to measure angles, but you have your calculator.

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 9.59.03 PM.png

a Find the cosine of 215. How far west should you walk from the big oak in order to be directly north of the treasure?

b Find the tangent of 215. How far south should you walk from your present location before you begin digging?

Answer

a 409.58 yds

b 286.79 yds

Bearings

Navigational directions for ships and planes are sometimes given as bearings, which are angles measured clockwise from north. For example, a bearing of 110 is equivalent to an angle of 20 in standard position, or to its coterminal angle 340, as shown at right.

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 10.01.12 PM.png

From this example, we see that to convert a bearing to an angle θ in standard position, we can subtract the bearing from 90, or

θ=bearing+90

Example 4.27

Francine leaves the airport at a bearing of 245 and flies 60 miles. How far south of the airport is she at that time?

Answer

A bearing of 245 is in the same direction as an angle of

245+90=155

in standard position, as shown below, or as the coterminal angle

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 10.08.07 PM.png

155+360=205

We would like the y-coordinate of Francine’s position, so we calculate y=rsin205.

y=rsin205=60(0.4226)=25.36

Francince is about 25.4 miles south of the airport.

Checkpoint 4.28

Delbert leaves the airport and flies 150 miles at a bearing of 132. How far east of the airport is he at that time?

Answer

111.5 mile

A Periodic Function of Angle

Imagine that you are riding on a Ferris wheel. As the wheel turns, your height above the ground increases and then decreases again, repeating the same pattern each time the Ferris wheel makes a complete rotation. This pattern is an example of a periodic function. We use periodic functions to model phenomena that exhibit cyclical behavior, such as the height of tides, seasonal patterns of growth in plants and animals, radio waves, and planetary motion.

We’ll create a mathematical model for a ride on a Ferris wheel. Our Ferris wheel has a radius of 100 feet and rotates counterclockwise. In order to graph the Ferris wheel function, we must first specify the input and output variables, and then choose a coordinate system to display their values.

We’ll place the origin at the center of the Ferris wheel. Then the line from the origin to your position on the wheel makes an angle with the horizontal, as shown at right. This angle, θ, will be the input variable for the function. Your height, h, is also a variable, and is related to the y-coordinate of your position; in fact, you can check that h=y+100, because the center of the wheel is 100 feet above the ground.

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 10.24.53 PM.png

To simplify the model, we’ll first graph y as the output variable, instead of h. As the angle θ increases from 0 to 90, your y-coordinate increases from 0 to 100. You are then at the top of the wheel. Then, as θ increases from 90 to 180, your y-coordinate decreases from 100 back to 0.

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 10.26.43 PM.png

Finally, as θ increases from 180 to 360, your y-coordinate decreases from 0 to -100 and then increases from -100 back to 0 . You have made one complete rotation on the Ferris wheel. If you go around again, θ increases from 360 to 720, and the graph of your y-coordinate will repeat the pattern of the first rotation. The figure above shows how your y-coordinate is plotted as a function of the angle θ.

You may have noticed that you can find the y-coordinate of your position on the Ferris wheel by using the coordinate formulas from the beginning of this section. Because the Ferris wheel has radius 100 feet, we have

y=100sinθ

For example, when θ=30, the y-coordinate is

y=100sin30=100(12)=50

and your height above the ground is

Screen Shot 2022-11-08 at 10.32.00 PM.png

h=y+100=150 feet 

In general, then, h is given as a function of θ by

h=y+100=100sinθ+100

The Sine Function

The trigonometric ratio sinθ is actually a function of the angle θ. As we have seen, the value of sinθ does not depend on the size of the triangle that contains the angle θ, but only on the size of the angle itself. Thus, for each value of θ, there is only one value of sinθ, and we may write f(θ)=sinθ.

Example 4.29

Graph the sine function f(θ)=sinθ.

Answer

We first make a table of values. You can use your calculator’s table feature to verify the following values, rounded to two decimal places.

θ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
sinθ 0 0.17 0.34 0.50 0.64 0.77 0.87 0.94 0.98 1

If we plot the points in the table, we can graph the sine function in the first quadrant, from 0 to 90.

Recall that the values of sinθ in the second quadrant can be found using reference angles: sin(180θ)=sinθ. This fact gives us values of sinθ from 90 to 180.

θ 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
sinθ 0.98 0.94 0.87 0.77 0.64 0.50 0.34 0.17 0

The values of sinθ in the third and fourth quadrants are the negatives of their values in the second and first quadrants.

θ 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270
sinθ -0.17 -0.34 -0.50 -0.64 -0.77 -0.87 -0.94 -0.98 -1
θ 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360
sinθ -0.98 -0.94 -0.87 -0.77 -0.64 -0.50 -0.34 -0.17 0

The graph of f(θ)=sinθ from 0 to 360 is shown below.

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 12.41.03 PM.png

If we continue the graph for angles larger than 360 or smaller than 0, we find that the same pattern repeats, as shown below. This should not be surprising, because we know that coterminal angles have the same trigonometric ratios.

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 12.51.22 PM.png

The sine is an example of a periodic function. The smallest interval on which the graph repeats is called the period of the graph. From the graph in the previous example, we make the following observations:

  • The period of the sine function is 360.
  • The maximum and minimum function values are 1 and 1, respectively.
  • The graph oscillates around its midline, the horizontal line y=0.
  • The distance between the midline and either the maximum or minimum value is called the amplitude of the function, so the amplitude of the sine function is 1.

You can use your calculator to graph the sine function, by entering

Y1=SINX,T,θ,n)

and pressing ZOOM 7 for the trig window. The graph shows two periods of the sine function, from θ=360 to θ=360.

Checkpoint 4.30

Your height h on the Ferris wheel is a function of θ,

h=100+y=100+100sinθ

Complete the table of values and graph the Ferris wheel function, h=F(θ).

θ 0 30 60 90 120 150 180
sinθ              
h=F(θ)              
θ 210 240 270 300 330 360
sinθ            
h=F(θ)            

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.05.19 PM.png

Answer
θ 0 30 60 90 120 150 180
sinθ 0 0.5 0.866 1.0 0.866 0.5 0
h=F(θ) 100 150 186.6 200 186.6 150 100
θ 210 240 270 300 330 360
sinθ -0.5 -0.866 -1.0 -0.866 -0.5 0
h=F(θ) 50 13.4 0 13.4 50 100

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.17.59 PM.png

The Cosine Function

In the previous exercise you graphed the height of a person riding on a Ferris wheel. Your graph involved sinθ, because the sine function tells us the y-coordinate of a point that travels around a circle. The cosine function tells us the x-coordinate of a point that travels around a circle.

Example 4.31

Small adjustments to the fit of a bicycle can affect both the cyclist’s efficiency and the stress on his or her jounts. The KOPS rule (Knee Over Pedal Stem) aligns the cyclist’s knee directly over the pedal at the point of maximum force, as shown at right. As the cyclist’s foot rotates away from this KOPS line, stress on the knee increases.

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.24.59 PM.png

a Suppose the pedal crank is 18 centimeters long. When the crank makes an angle with the horizontal, how far is the cyclist’s foot displaced horizontally from the KOPS line?

b Graph the horizontal displacement, d, as a function of θ.

Answer

a The cyclist’s foot travels around a circle of radius 18 centimeters. If we place the origin at the center of the chain gear, the x-coordinate of the foot is given by

x=rcosθ=18cosθ

(See the figure below.) The KOPS line is the vertical line x=18, so the horizontal distance between the cyclist’s foot and the KOPS line is

d=1818cosθ

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.37.25 PM.png

b You can use your calculator to verify the table and graph for the function

d=1818cosθ

shown below.

θ 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
d 0 2.4 9 18 27 33.6 36 33.6 27 18 9 2.4 0

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.42.26 PM.png

You can see that the cosine graph is similar to the sine graph, but they are not identical.

Checkpoint 4.32

a Complete the table below with values rounded to two decimal places. Use the table and your knowledge of reference angles to graph the cosine function, f(θ)=cosθ from 180 to 540.

θ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
cosθ                    

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.47.51 PM.png

b Use your graph to find the period, amplitude, and midline of the cosine function. How does the graph of cosine differ from the graph of sine? (Hint: Consider the intercepts of the graph, and the location of the maximum and minimum values.)

Answer
θ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
cosθ 1 0.98 0.94 0.87 0.77 0.64 0.50 0.34 0.17 0

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.51.24 PM.png

b Period: 360, amplitude: 1, midline: y=0. The cosine graph starts (θ=0) at its high point, while the sine graph starts (θ=0) at its midline.

Function Notation

We use the notation y=f(x) to indicate that y is a function of x, that is, x is the input variable and y is the output variable.

Example 4.33

Make a table of input and output values and a graph for the function y=f(x)=9x2.

Answer

We choose several values for the input variable, x, and evaluate the function to find the corresponding values of the output variable, y. For example,

f(3)=9(3)2=0

We plot the points in the table and connect them to obtain the graph shown below.

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 1.57.55 PM.png

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
y 0 5 22 3 22 5 0

Of course, we don’t always use x and y for the input and output variables. In the previous example, we could write w=f(t)=9t2 for the function, so that t is the input and w is the output. The table of values and the graph are the same; only the names of the variables have changed.

Caution 4.34

When we discuss trigonometric functions, there are several variables involved. Our definitions of the trig ratios involve four variables: x,y,r, and θ, as illustrated below.

Screen Shot 2022-11-10 at 2.00.39 PM.png

If the value of r is fixed for a given situation, such as the Ferris wheel or the bicycle wheel discussed above, then x and y are both functions of θ. This means that the values of x and y depend only on the value of the angle θ. If r=1, we have

x=f(θ)=cosθ

y=g(θ)sinθ

The graphs of these functions are shown below. Note particularly that the horizontal axis displays values of the input variable, and the vertical axis displays the output variable.

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.31.40 PM.png

If we use different variables for the input and output, the functions and their graphs are the same, but the axes should be labeled with the appropriate variables.

Checkpoint 4.35

Sketch a graph of each function, and label the axes.

a. d=F(ϕ)=sinϕ

b. t=G(β)=cosβ

Answer

a. Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.35.16 PM.png

b. Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.35.22 PM.png

Caution 4.36

When we write cosθ, we really mean cos(θ), because we are using ”cos” as the name of a function whose input is θ.

A common mistake is to think of cosθ or cos(θ) as a product, cos times θ, but this makes no sense, because ”cos” by itself has no meaning. Remember that cosθ represents a single number, namely the output of the cosine function.

The Tangent Function

The tangent function is periodic, but its graph is not similar to the graphs of sine and cosine. Recall that the tangent of an angle in standard position is defined by

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.37.24 PM.png

tanθ=yx

Study the figure at right to see that as θ increases from 0 to 90, y increases while x remains constant, so the value of tanθ increases.

Example 4.37

Sketch a graph of f(θ)=tanθ for 0θ180.

Answer

You can use your calculator to verify the following values for tanθ.

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.40.44 PM.png

θ 0 30 60 70 80 85
tanθ 0 0.58 1.73 2.75 5.67 11.43

As θ gets closer to 90, tanθ increases very rapidly. Recall that tan90 is undefined, so there is no point on the graph at θ=90. The graph of f(θ)=tanθ in the first quadrant is shown at right.

In the second quadrant, the tangent is negative. The reference angle for each angle in the second quadrant is its supplement, so

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.44.14 PM.png

tanθ=tan(180θ)

as shown at right. For example, you can verify that

tan130=tan(180130)=tan50=1.19

In particular, for values of θ close to 90, the values of tanθ are large negative numbers. We plot several points and sketch the graph in the second quadrant.

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.48.11 PM.png

θ 100 110 120 150 180
tanθ -5.67 -2.75 -1.73 -0.58 0

In the figure above, note that the graph has a break at θ=90, because tan90 is undefined.

Now let's consider the graph of f(θ)=tanθ in the third and fourth quadrants. The tangent is positive in the third quadrant, and negative in the fourth quadrant. In fact, from the figure below you can see that the angles θ and 180+θ are vertical angles.

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.51.37 PM.png

Because θ and 180+θ have the same reference angle, they have the same tangent. For example,

tan200=tan20tan230=tan50tan250=tan70

Thus, the graph of tanθ in the third quadrant is the same as its graph in the first quadrant. Similarly, the graph of the tangent function in the fourth quadrant is the same as its graph in the second quadrant. The completed graph is shown below.

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 4.53.31 PM.png

Checkpoint 4.38

a What is the period of the tangent function?

b Does the graph of tangent have an amplitude?

c For what values of θ is tanθ undefined?

d Give the equations of any horizontal or vertical asymptotes for 0θ360.

Answer

a. 180

b. No

c. 90,270, and their coterminal angles

d. θ=90,θ=270

Angle of Inclination

The figure below shows a line in the xy-plane. The angle α measured in the positive direction from the positive x-axis to the line is called the angle of inclination of the line.

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.04.13 PM.png

Note 4.39 Recall that the slope of a line is given by the ratio change in ychange in x as we move from one point to another on the line. So, if we create a right traingle by dropping a perpendicular segment from the line to the x-axis, the ratio of sides oppositeadjacent gives the slope of the line.

Angle of Inclination.

The angle of inclination of a line is the angle α measured in the positive direction from the positive x-axis to the line. If the slope of the line is m, then

tanα=m

where 0α180.

Example 4.40

Find the angle of inclination of the line y=34x3.

Answer

The slope of the line is 34. Therefore,

tanα=34α=tan1(34)=36.9

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.21.28 PM.png

The angle of inclination is 36.9.

Checkpoint 4.41

Find the angle of inclination of the line shown below,

Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.23.19 PM.png

y=65x+2

Answer

129.8

Review the following skills you will need for this section.

Algebra Refresher 4.4

a Graph the function.

b Give the coordinates of any intercepts, and any maximum or minimum values.

1. f(x)=6+23x

2. g(x)=432x

3. p(t)=t24

4. q(t)=9t2

5. F(x)=2z

6. G(z)=4z

Algebra Refresher Answers

1. a) Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.28.27 PM.png

b) (0,-6), (9,0)

2. a) Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.28.34 PM.png

b) (0,4),(83,0)

3. a) Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.28.43 PM.png

b) (0, −4), (−2, 0), (2, 0), Min: − 4

4. a) Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.28.48 PM.png

b) (0, 9), (−3, 0), (3, 0), Max: 9

5. a) Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.28.53 PM.png

b (0, 2), (4, 0), Max: 2

6. a) Screen Shot 2022-11-17 at 5.29.02 PM.png

b (0, 2), (4, 0), Min: 0

Section 4.2 Summary

Vocabulary

• Input variable

• Output variable

• Periodic function

• Period

• Midline

• Amplitude

• Asymptote

• Angle of Inclination

• Bearings

Concepts

Coordinates.

1 If point P is located at a distance r from the origin in the direction specified by angle θ in standard position, then the coordinates of P are

x=rcosθ and y=rsinθ

2 Navigational directions for ships and planes are sometimes given as bearings, which are angles measured clockwise from north.

3 Periodic functions are used to model phenomena that exhibit cyclical behavior.

4 The trigonometric ratios sinθ and cosθ are functions of the angle θ.

5 The period of the sine function is 360. Its midline is the horizontal line y=0, and the amplitude of the sine function is 1.

6 The graph of the cosine function has the same period, midline, and amplitude as the graph of the sine function. However, the locations of the intercepts and of the maximum and minimum values are different.

7 We use the notation y=f(x) to indicate that y is a function of x, that is, x is the input variable and y is the output variable.

8 The tangent function has period 180. It is undefined at odd multiples of 90, and is increasing on each interval of its domain.

Angle of Inclination.

9 The angle of inclination of a line is the angle α measured in the positive direction from the positive x-axis to the line. If the slope of the line is m, then

tanα=m

where 0α180.

Study Questions

1 Use the figure to help you fill in the blanks.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.07.03 PM.png

a As θ increases from 0 to 90,f(θ)=sinθ _______ from _______ to _______.
b As θ increases from 90 to 180,f(θ)=sinθ _______ from _______ to _______.
c As θ increases from 180 to 270,f(θ)=sinθ _______ from _______ to _______.
d As θ increases from 270 to 360,f(θ)=sinθ _______ from _______ to _______.

2 Use the figure to help you fill in the blanks.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.12.41 PM.png

a As θ increases from 0 to 90,f(θ)=cosθ _______ from _______ to _______.
b As θ increases from 90 to 180,f(θ)=cosθ _______ from _______ to _______.
c As θ increases from 180 to 270,f(θ)=cosθ _______ from _______ to _______.
d As θ increases from 270 to 360,f(θ)=cosθ _______ from _______ to _______.

3 List several ways in which the graph of y=tanθ is different from the graphs of y=sinθ and y=cosθ.

4 If the angle of inclination of a line is greater than 45, what can you say about its slope?

Skills

1 Find coordinates #1-12, 19-20

2 Use bearings to determine position #13-18

3 Sketch graphs of the sine and cosine functions #21-26, 31-32

4 Find the coordinates of points on a sine or cosine graph #27-30, 41-44

5 Use function notation #33-40

6 Find reference angles #45-48

7 Solve equations graphically #49-56

8 Graph the tangent function #57-60

9 Find and use the angle of inclination of a line #61-70

Homework 4.2

For Problems 1–6, find exact values for the coordinates of the point.

1. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.22.49 PM.png

2. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.22.56 PM.png

3. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.23.04 PM.png

4. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.23.11 PM.png

5. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.23.16 PM.png

6. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.23.21 PM.png

For Problems 7–12, find the coordinates of the point, rounded to hundredths.

7. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.25.29 PM.png

8. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.25.37 PM.png

9. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.25.48 PM.png

10. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.25.55 PM.png

11. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.26.01 PM.png

12. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.26.07 PM.png

For Problems 13–18, a ship sails from the seaport on the given bearing for the given distance.

a Make a sketch showing the ship’s current location relative to the seaport.

b How far east or west of the seaport is the ship’s present location? How far north or south?

13. 36,26 miles

14. 124,80 km

15. 230,120 km

16. 318,75 miles

17. 285,32 km

18. 192,260 miles

19. Estimate the x-coordinate of the points on the unit circle designated by each angle, and complete the table. (Hint: Use symmetry in the second, third, and fourth quadrants.)

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.34.16 PM.png

Angle 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
x-coordinate                    
Angle 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
x-coordinate                  
Angle 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270
x-coordinate                  
Angle 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360^{\circ}
x-coordinate                  

20. Estimate the y-coordinate of the points on the unit circle designated by each angle, and complete the table. (Hint: Use symmetry in the second, third, and fourth quadrants.)

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 7.52.46 PM.png

Angle 0^{\circ} 10^{\circ} 20^{\circ} 30^{\circ} 40^{\circ} 50^{\circ} 60^{\circ} 70^{\circ} 80^{\circ} 90^{\circ}
x-coordinate                    
Angle 100^{\circ} 110^{\circ} 120^{\circ} 130^{\circ} 140^{\circ} 150^{\circ} 160^{\circ} 170^{\circ} 180^{\circ}
x-coordinate                  
Angle 190^{\circ} 200^{\circ} 210^{\circ} 220^{\circ} 230^{\circ} 240^{\circ} 250^{\circ} 260^{\circ} 270^{\circ}
x-coordinate                  
Angle 280^{\circ} 290^{\circ} 300^{\circ} 310^{\circ} 320^{\circ} 330^{\circ} 340^{\circ} 350^{\circ} 360^{\circ}
x-coordinate                  

21.

a Draw vertical line segments from the unit circle to the x-axis to illustrate the y-coordinate of each point designated by the angles, 0^{\circ} to 90^{\circ}, shown on the figure below.

b Transfer your vertical line segments to the appropriate position on the grid below.

c Repeat parts (a) and (b) for the other three quadrants.

d Connect the tops of the segments to sketch a graph of y = \sin \theta.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.01.09 PM.png

22.

a Draw horizontal line segments from the unit circle to the y-axis to illustrate the x-coordinate of each point designated by the angles, 0^{\circ} to 90^{\circ}, shown on the figure below.

b Transfer your horizontal line segments into vertical line segments at the appropriate position on the grid below.

c Repeat parts (a) and (b) for the other three quadrants.

d Connect the tops of the segments to sketch a graph of y = \cos \theta.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.02.36 PM.png

23.

a Prepare a graph with the horizontal axis scaled from 0^{\circ} to 360^{\circ} in multiples of 45^{\circ}.

b Sketch a graph of f(\theta) = \sin \theta by plotting points for multiples of 45^{\circ}.

24.

a Prepare a graph with the horizontal axis scaled from 0^{\circ} to 360^{\circ} in multiples of 45^{\circ}.

b Sketch a graph of f(\theta)=\cos \theta by plotting points for multiples of 45^{\circ}.

25.

a Prepare a graph with the horizontal axis scaled from 0^{\circ} to 360^{\circ} in multiples of 30^{\circ}.

b Sketch a graph of f(\theta)=\cos \theta by plotting points for multiples of 30^{\circ}.

26.

a Prepare a graph with the horizontal axis scaled from 0^{\circ} to 360^{\circ} in multiples of 30^{\circ}.

b Sketch a graph of f(\theta)=\sin \theta by plotting points for multiples of 30^{\circ}.

For Problems 27-30, give the coordinates of each point on the graph of f(\theta)=\sin \theta or f(\theta)=\cos \theta.

27. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.13.51 PM.png

28. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.14.00 PM.png

29. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.14.11 PM.png

30. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.14.20 PM.png

31. Make a short table of values like the one shown, and sketch the function by hand. Be sure to label the x-axis and y-axis appropriately.

\theta 0^{\circ} 90^{\circ} 180^{\circ} 270^{\circ} 360^{\circ}
f(\theta)          

a f(\theta)=\sin \theta

b f(\theta)=\cos \theta

32. One of these graphs is y=A \sin k \theta, and the other is y=A \cos k \theta. Explain how you know which is which.

a. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.28.16 PM.png

b. Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.28.27 PM.png

For Problems 33-40, evaluate the expression for f(\theta)=\sin \theta and g(\theta)=\cos \theta.

33. 3+f\left(30^{\circ}\right)

34. 3 f\left(30^{\circ}\right)

35. 4 g\left(225^{\circ}\right)-1

36. -4+2 g\left(225^{\circ}\right)-1

37. -2 f(3 \theta), for \theta=90^{\circ}

38. 6 f\left(\dfrac{\theta}{2}\right), for \theta=90^{\circ}

39. 8-5 g\left(\dfrac{\theta}{3}\right), for \theta=360^{\circ}

40. 1-4 g(4 \theta), for \theta=135^{\circ}

41. The graph shows your height as a function of angle as you ride the Ferris wheel. For each location A-E on the Ferris wheel, mark the corresponding point on the graph.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.50.04 PM.png

42. The graph shows your height as a function of angle as you ride the Ferris wheel. For each location F-J on the graph, mark the corresponding point on the Ferris wheel.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.50.57 PM.png

43. The graph shows the horizontal displacement of your foot from the center of the chain gear as you pedal a bicycle. For each location K-O on the chain gear, mark the corresponding point on the graph.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.51.53 PM.png

44. The graph shows the horizontal displacement of your foot from the center of the chain gear as you pedal a bicycle. For each location P-T on the graph, mark the corresponding point on the chain gear.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.53.03 PM.png

For Problems 45–46, use the grid provided below.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 8.55.03 PM.png

Use this grid for #45 and #46

45. Draw two different angles \alpha and \beta in standard position whose sine is 0.6.

a Use a protractor to measure \alpha and \beta.

b Find the reference angles for both \alpha and \beta. Draw in the reference triangles.

46. Draw two different angles \theta and \phi in standard position whose sine is −0.8.

a Use a protractor to measure \theta and \phi.

b Find the reference angles for both \theta and \phi. Draw in the reference triangles.

For Problems 47–48, use the grid provided below.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 9.04.16 PM.png

Use this grid for #47 and #48

47. Draw two different angles \alpha and \beta in standard position whose cosine is 0.3.

a Use a protractor to measure \alpha and \beta.

b Find the reference angles for both \alpha and \beta. Draw in the reference triangles.

48. Draw two different angles \theta and \phi in standard position whose cosine is −0.4.

a Use a protractor to measure \theta and \phi.

b Find the reference angles for both \theta and \phi. Draw in the reference triangles.

For Problems 49–56, use the graphs to estimate the solutions to the equations. Show your work on the graph.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 9.06.59 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 9.07.26 PM.png

49. \sin \theta=0.6

50. \sin \theta=-0.8

51. \cos \theta=0.3

52. \cos \theta=-0.4

53. \sin \theta=-0.2

54. \sin \theta=1.2

55. \cos \theta=-0.9

56. \cos \theta=-1.1

57.

a Fill in the table for values of \tan \theta. Round your answers to three decimal places.

\theta 81^{\circ} 82^{\circ} 83^{\circ} 84^{\circ} 85^{\circ} 86^{\circ} 87^{\circ} 88^{\circ} 89^{\circ}
\tan \theta                  

b What happens to \tan \theta as \theta increases toward 90^{\circ}?

c Fill in the table for values of \tan \theta. Round your answers to three decimal places.

\theta 99^{\circ} 98^{\circ} 97^{\circ} 96^{\circ} 95^{\circ} 94^{\circ} 93^{\circ} 92^{\circ} 91^{\circ}
\tan \theta                  

d What happens to \tan \theta as \theta decreases toward 90^{\circ}?

e What value does your calculator give for \tan 90^{\circ}? Why?

58.

a Fill in the table with exact values of \tan \theta. Then give decimal approximations to two places.

\theta 0^{\circ} 30^{\circ} 45^{\circ} 60^{\circ} 90^{\circ} 120^{\circ} 135^{\circ} 150^{\circ} 180^{\circ}
\tan \theta (exact)                  
\tan \theta (approx.)                  

b Fill in the table with exact values of \tan \theta. Then give decimal approximations to two places.

\theta 180^{\circ} 210^{\circ} 225^{\circ} 240^{\circ} 270^{\circ} 300^{\circ} 315^{\circ} 330^{\circ} 360^{\circ}
\tan \theta (exact)                  
\tan \theta (approx.)                  

c Plot the points from the tables and sketch a graph of f(\theta) = \tan \theta.

Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 11.19.47 PM.png

59. Sketch by hand a graph of y=\tan \theta for -180^{\circ} \leq \theta \leq 180^{\circ}.

60. Use your calculator to graph y=\tan \theta in the ZTrig window (press ZOOM 7). Sketch the result. On your sketch, mark scales on the axes and include dotted lines for the vertical asymptotes.

For Problems 61–64,find the angle of inclination of the line.

61. y=\dfrac{5}{4} x-3
62. y=6+\dfrac{2}{9} x
63. y=-2-\dfrac{3}{8} x
64. y=\dfrac{-7}{2} x+1

For Problems 65–68, find an equation for the line passing through the given point with angle of inclination \alpha.

65. (3,-5), \alpha=28^{\circ}
66. (-2,6), \alpha=67^{\circ}
67. (-8,12), \alpha=112^{\circ}
68. (-4,-1), \alpha=154^{\circ}

69. The slope of a line is a function of its angle of inclination, m = f(\alpha). Complete the table and sketch a graph of the function.

\alpha 0^{\circ} 15^{\circ} 30^{\circ} 45^{\circ} 60^{\circ} 75^{\circ} 90^{\circ} 105^{\circ} 120^{\circ} 135^{\circ} 150^{\circ} 165^{\circ} 180^{\circ}
m                          

a What happens to the slope of the line as \alpha increases toward 90^{\circ}?
b What happens to the slope of the line as \alpha decreases toward 90^{\circ}?

70. The angle of inclination of a line is a function of its slope, \alpha = g(m). Complete the table and sketch a graph of the function.

m -20 -10 -5 -2 -1 -0.75 -0.5 -0.25 0
\alpha                  
m 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 2 5 10 20
\alpha                

a What happens to the angle of inclination as the slope increases toward infinity?

b What happens to the angle of inclination as the slope decreases toward negative infinity?


This page titled 4.1: Graphs of Trigonometric Functions is shared under a GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Katherine Yoshiwara via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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