KMA100: Introduction to
University Mathematics
L09 – Trigonometric
Functions
1
Overview of Lecture
The topics covered in this lecture:
Real world applications of trigonometric functions.
Sketching trigonometric functions.
Modelling cyclic behaviour using trigonometric functions.
Look at the inverse trigonometric functions.
2
Applications
Alternating current and voltage are described using sine and
cosine functions, 𝑉(𝑡) = 𝑉0sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑).
Sine and cosine functions are used to describe simple
harmonic motion, which model many natural phenomena,
such as the movement of a mass attached to a spring and, for
small angles, the pendulum motion of a mass hanging by a
string. The sine and cosine functions are one-dimensional
projections of uniform circular motion.
Trigonometric functions are also used in the study of general
periodic functions. The characteristic wave patterns of
periodic functions are useful for modeling recurring
phenomena.
3
Cosine Graph
What does the graph of 𝑦 = cos(𝑥) look like?
𝑥 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
𝑦 1 0.87 0.5 0 −0.5 −0.87 −1 −0.87 −0.5 0 0.5 0.87 1
4
Sine Graph
What does the graph of 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) look like?
𝑥 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
𝑦 0 0.5 0.87 1 0.87 0.5 0 −0.5 −0.87 −1 −0.87 −0.5 0
5
Trigonometric Graphs
Notice that both graphs oscillate between −1 and 1, thus their
range is 𝑦 ∈ [−1,1].
The domain is all real numbers, 𝑥 ∈ 𝐑.
The pattern observed (a wave going from minimum to
maximum to minimum) repeats every 360° or 2𝜋 radians. This
is the period of the functions.
These sort of functions, which have repeating patterns are
called cyclic functions, and are extremely useful modelling
repeating phenomena, such as tides, length of day, harmonic
motion, and so on.
The next few slides consider transformations of the basic
cosine and sine functions, 𝑦 = cos(𝑥) and 𝑦 = sin(𝑥).
6
Vertical Dilation – Amplitude, A
Multiplying a cosine or sine function by a positive number
stretches or shrinks the graph vertically.
For example: −1 ≤ cos 𝑥 ≤ 1 and −1 ≤ sin 𝑥 ≤ 1
∴ −𝐴 ≤ 𝐴 cos(𝑥) ≤ 𝐴 and −𝐴 ≤ A sin(𝑥) ≤ 𝐴
𝑦 = 3 cos(𝑥) 𝑦 = 3 sin(𝑥)
𝑦 = cos(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin(𝑥)
7
Reflection about 𝑥-axis
Multiplying a cosine or sine function by a negative number
reflects the function about the 𝑥-axis.
𝑦 = cos(𝑥) 𝑦 = −cos(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) 𝑦 = − sin(𝑥)
8
Trigonometric Graphs
Plot 𝑦 = cos(2𝑥) for 𝑥 ∈ [0°, 180°].
𝑥 0° 15° 30° 45° 60° 75° 90° 105° 120° 135° 150° 165° 180°
2𝑥 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
𝑦 1 0.87 0.5 0 -0.5 -0.87 -1 -0.87 -0.5 0 0.5 0.87 1
9
Horizontal Dilation – Dilation Factor, 𝑛
The functions 𝑦 = cos(𝑥) and 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) have a period of
360° or 2𝜋.
The functions 𝑦 = cos(𝑛𝑥) and 𝑦 = sin(𝑛𝑥) have a period of
360° 2𝜋
or .
𝑛 𝑛
𝑦 = cos(3𝑥) 𝑦 = cos(𝑥)
𝑦 = sin(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin(4𝑥)
10
Reflection about 𝑦-axis
Multiplying the variable 𝑥 inside the function by a negative
number reflects the function about the 𝑦-axis.
𝑦 = cos(𝑥) = cos(−𝑥) 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin(−𝑥)
11
Exercise 1 – Reflections
What reflections have been done to the functions 𝑦 = sin(𝑥)
and 𝑦 = cos(𝑥) to produce the pink graphs below?
12
Vertical Translation – Vertical Shift, 𝐶
Consider the functions 𝑦 = cos(𝑥) + 𝐶 and 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) + 𝐶.
Note that both trigonometric functions range from −1 to 1.
Therefore when the vertical translation 𝐶 is included, the
functions now range from −1 + 𝐶 to 1 + 𝐶. That is, the
functions are shifted up (or down) by 𝐶 units.
𝑦 = cos 𝑥 + 1 𝑦 = sin(𝑥)
𝑦 = cos(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 − 1
13
Horizontal Translation – Horizontal Shift, 𝑏
Consider the functions 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 − 𝑏) and 𝑦 = sin(𝑥 − 𝑏).
Similar to what has been observed for other functions, (𝑥 + 𝑏)
will translate the function to the left 𝑏 units, and (𝑥 − 𝑏) will
translate the function to the right 𝑏 units.
3𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = cos 𝑥 + 𝑦 = cos(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 −
4 4
14
Horizontal Translation
𝜋
Consider the functions 𝑦 = 3 cos 2𝑥 and 𝑦 = 3 cos 2𝑥 +
2
plotted below.
𝑦 = 3cos(2𝑥)
𝜋
𝑦 = 3cos 2𝑥 +
2
What are the amplitude and period of the functions? Determine
the horizontal shift between them.
15
Translation Examples
From symmetry, its known that:
cos(𝑥 + 𝜋) = −cos(𝑥), so cos(𝑥)
translated left 𝜋 units is identical
to the reflected cos(𝑥) function.
𝑦 = cos 𝑥 + 𝜋 = −cos(𝑥)
𝜋 𝑦 = cos(𝑥)
𝑦 = cos 𝑥 − = sin(𝑥)
2
From complimentary angles, its
known that:
cos(𝑥 − 𝜋/2) = sin(𝑥), so cos(𝑥)
translated right 𝜋Τ2 units is
identical to the sin(𝑥) function.
16
Trigonometric Graphs
The general form of any cosine and sine function is given by:
𝑦 = 𝐴 cos 𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑏 + 𝐶
𝑦 = 𝐴 sin 𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑏 + 𝐶
Where:
𝐴 – is the amplitude.
360° 2𝜋
𝑛 – is the horizontal dilation, such that or is the period.
𝑛 𝑛
𝑏 – is the horizontal translation.
𝐶 – is the vertical translation.
Domain: 𝑥 ∈ 𝐑
Range: 𝑦 ∈ [𝐶 − |𝐴|, 𝐶 + |𝐴|]
17
Trigonometric Graphs
By determining the amplitude, period and translations the sine
and cosine functions are able to plotted without calculating
numerous points.
The horizontal translation is the most difficult to interpret.
If 𝑏 > 0, then the function is shifted to the right, that is,
there is an (𝑛(𝑥 – 𝑏)) within the function.
If 𝑏 < 0, then the function is shifted to the left, that is, there
is an (𝑛(𝑥 + 𝑏)) within the function.
This is where most students make their mistakes.
18
Exercise 2
𝜋
Sketch 𝑓 𝑥 = 3 sin 2𝑥 +
2
Amplitude:
Period:
Vertical Shift:
Horizontal Shift:
Range:
19
Exercise 3
𝜋
Solve the following equation: 3 sin 2𝑥 + = −1.5
2
20
Exercise 4
Determine a sine equation and a cosine equation that represents
the graph below.
Amplitude:
Vertical shift:
Period:
Sine equation
Horizontal shift:
Cosine equation
Horizontal shift:
21
Exercise 5
Determine a sine equation and a cosine equation that represents
the graph below.
Amplitude:
Vertical shift:
Period:
Sine equation
Horizontal shift:
Cosine equation
Horizontal shift:
22
Exercise 6 – Modelling
Competition is severe, so Fred Greenseas decides that he will
catch more fish in an inlet several kilometres east of the place
where John North fishes. There is a sandbar entrance to the inlet
and the depth of water in metres on the sandbar is modelled by
the function
𝜋𝑡
𝑑 𝑡 = 6 + 2.5 sin ,
6
where 𝑡 is the number of hours after 12 noon and 𝑑(𝑡) is the
depth of water at time 𝑡.
23
Exercise 6
𝜋𝑡
𝑑 𝑡 = 6 + 2.5 sin
6
a) What is the greatest depth of the water on the sandbar and
when does it first occur?
24
Exercise 6
𝜋𝑡
𝑑 𝑡 = 6 + 2.5 sin
6
b) How many hours pass before there is once again the
maximum depth of water on the sandbar?
c) What is the least amount of water on the sandbar?
d) What is the initial depth of water?
25
Exercise 6
𝜋𝑡
𝑑 𝑡 = 6 + 2.5 sin
6
e) Sketch the graph of 𝑑(𝑡) for 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 24.
26
Exercise 6
𝜋𝑡
𝑑 𝑡 = 6 + 2.5 sin
6
f) Fred Greenseas needs a depth of at least 7.25 metres to
cross the sandbar. Between what hours is he able to enter
and leave the inlet?
27
Exercise 6
𝜋𝑡 𝜋𝑡 1
7.25 = 6 + 2.5 sin , ∴ sin =
6 6 2
f) Fred Greenseas needs a depth of at least 7.25 metres to
cross the sandbar. Between what hours is he able to enter
and leave the inlet?
28
Exercise 7
The height of the middle of a skipping rope as it is being turned
in a child’s games is determined by using the equation
ℎ 𝑡 = 𝐴 sin 𝑛𝑡 + 𝐶
where 𝑡 is the number of seconds after the rope has begun to
turn. During the game, the maximum height the rope reaches is
1.8 metres and it takes 2 seconds for the rope to complete a full
turn.
29
Exercise 7
ℎ 𝑡 = 𝐴 sin 𝑛𝑡 + 𝐶
During the game, the maximum height the rope reaches is 1.8
metres and it takes 2 seconds for the rope to complete a full
turn.
a) Determine the values of 𝐴, 𝑛 and 𝐶 and hence write the
equation of ℎ in terms of 𝑡.
30
Exercise 7
ℎ 𝑡 = 0.9 sin 𝜋𝑡 + 0.9
During the game, the maximum height the rope reaches is 1.8
metres and it takes 2 seconds for the rope to complete a full
turn.
b) Sketch the graph of ℎ against 𝑡 for 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 5
31
Exercise 7
ℎ 𝑡 = 0.9 sin 𝜋𝑡 + 0.9
c) After how much time from the beginning of the turn will the
rope be 25𝑐𝑚 above the ground? Sketch.
32
Exercise 7
ℎ 𝑡 = 0.9 sin 𝜋𝑡 + 0.9
c) After how much time from the beginning of the turn will the
rope be 25𝑐𝑚 above the ground?
33
Trigonometric Graphs
What does the graph of 𝑦 = tan(𝑥) look like?
𝑥 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 360°
𝑦 0 0.57 1.73 𝑛𝑑 −1.73 −0.57 0 0.57 1.73 𝑛𝑑 −1.73 −0.57 0
34
Trigonometric Graphs
The general form of the tangent function is given by:
𝑦 = 𝐴 tan 𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑏 + 𝐶
Where:
𝐴 – is the vertical dilation, tangent functions have no amplitude.
180° 𝜋
𝑛 – is the horizontal dilation, such that or is the period.
𝑛 𝑛
𝐶 – is the vertical translation.
𝑏 – is the horizontal translation.
2𝑘+1 ×90° 2𝑘+1 𝜋
Asymptotes occur at or , where 𝑘 ∈ 𝐙.
𝑛 2𝑛
180°×𝑘 𝑘𝜋
The 𝑥-intercepts occur at or , where 𝑘 ∈ 𝐙.
𝑛 𝑛
35
Exercise 8
𝑥
Sketch 𝑦 = 2 tan .
2
Asymptotes:
𝑥-intercepts:
36
Exercise 8
𝑥
Sketch of 𝑦 = 2 tan .
2
37
Exercise 8
𝑥
Sketch of 𝑦 = 2 tan .
2
38
Inverse Function Properties
For any function 𝑓(𝑥) to have an inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) the
function must be ono-to-one (1: 1).
A ono-to-one function is a function that for every 𝑥 there is a
unique 𝑦 and vice-versa, that is, it passes the horizontal line
test (and the vertical line test).
Functions that are not one-to-one need a restricted domain to
become one-to-one and then an inverse can be found.
Functions and their inverses have the following properties:
The values of the domain of 𝑓(𝑥) are the same values of the range of
the inverse 𝑓 −1 𝑥 .
The values of the range of 𝑓(𝑥) are the same values of the domain of
the inverse 𝑓 −1 𝑥 .
39
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
arcsin 𝑥 , arcos 𝑥 , arctan(𝑥)
They can also be expressed as:
asin(𝑥), acos(𝑥) and atan(𝑥)
or
sin−1 (𝑥), cos −1 (𝑥) and tan−1 (𝑥)
Note that -1 indicates an inverse function, like 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and not
“to the power of −1” like 𝑎−1 = 1/𝑎1 .
40
Inverse Function of sin(𝑥)
For an inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = sin(𝑥) to be a function, need to
restrict its domain, to make 𝑓(𝑥) a one-to-one function.
𝜋 𝜋
Consider 𝑓(𝑥) = sin(𝑥) , with domain 𝑥 ∈ − , and range
2 2
𝑦 ∈ [−1,1].
𝑦 = sin(𝑥)
41
Inverse Function of sin(𝑥)
𝜋 𝜋
If 𝑓(𝑥) = sin(𝑥) , with domain 𝑥 ∈− , and range 𝑦 ∈
2 2
[−1,1].
Then the domain of 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = arcsin(𝑥) is 𝑥 ∈ [−1,1] and the
𝜋 𝜋
range is 𝑦 ∈ − , .
2 2
𝑦 = arsin 𝑥
42
Graph of arcsin(𝑥) and sin(𝑥)
Functions that are inverses of each other have the property
that they are reflections of each other about the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
𝑦 = arsin 𝑥
𝑦 = sin(𝑥)
43
Inverse Function of cos(𝑥)
For an inverse of 𝑓(𝑥) = cos(𝑥) to be a function, need to
restrict its domain, to make 𝑓(𝑥) a one-to-one function.
Consider 𝑓(𝑥) = cos(𝑥), with domain 𝑥 ∈ 0, 𝜋 and range
𝑦 ∈ [−1,1].
𝑦 = cos(𝑥)
44
Inverse Function of cos(𝑥)
If 𝑓(𝑥) = cos(𝑥), with domain 𝑥 ∈ 0, 𝜋 and range 𝑦 ∈
[−1,1].
Then the domain of 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = arcos(𝑥) is 𝑥 ∈ [−1,1] and the
range is 𝑦 ∈ 0, 𝜋 .
𝑦 = arcos 𝑥
45
Graph of arcos(𝑥) and cos(𝑥)
Functions that are inverses of each other have the property
that they are reflections of each other about the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
𝑦 = arcos 𝑥
𝑦 = cos(𝑥)
46
Inverse Function of tan(𝑥)
For an inverse of 𝑓 𝑥 = tan 𝑥 to be a function, need to
restrict its domain, to make 𝑓(𝑥) a one-to-one function.
−𝜋 𝜋
Consider 𝑓(𝑥) = tan(𝑥), with domain 𝑥 ∈ , and range
2 2
𝑦 ∈ 𝐑.
𝑦 = tan(𝑥)
47
Inverse Function of tan(𝑥)
−𝜋 𝜋
If 𝑓(𝑥) = tan(𝑥), with domain 𝑥 ∈ , and range 𝑦 ∈ 𝐑.
2 2
Then the domain of 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = arctan(𝑥) is 𝑥 ∈ 𝐑 and the
−𝜋 𝜋
range is 𝑦 ∈ , .
2 2
𝑦 = artan 𝑥
48
Graph of artan(𝑥) and tan(𝑥)
Functions that are inverses of each other have the property
that they are reflections of each other about the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
𝑦 = tan(𝑥)
𝑦 = artan 𝑥
49
