Trig graphs · Grade 11

In Grade 11 you learn: graphs of sin, cos and tan.

The graphs of sin x and cos x are waves that repeat every 360°, staying between −1 and 1; the graph of tan x repeats every 180° and has vertical asymptotes. Changing the equation stretches or moves the graph in predictable ways.

Key facts

  • y = sin x: starts at 0, maximum 1 at 90°, minimum −1 at 270°, period 360°.
  • y = cos x: starts at 1, minimum −1 at 180°, period 360°.
  • y = tan x: period 180°, asymptotes at 90°, 270°, …
  • y = sin x + d moves the graph up d; y = sin(x − c) moves it right c.
  • Symmetry gives second solutions: sin x = k → x and 180° − x; cos x = k → x and 360° − x.

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