Graphing Tangent

To graph tangent, following the steps outlined below:

1) Set what is in parentheses equal to and and solve for x. This will tell you where
2
2
your asymptotes will be located.
2) The x-intercept is the point directly in the middle between the asymptotes. Plot that
point.
3) Draw in the tangent curve. (remember it RISES from Left to Right). If there is a
negative in front, reflect it on the x axis.
** Note: The major difference between any graphs of tangent is where the asymptotes are
located.
1
x
Example 1
Sketch the graph of y tan
4
2
x

x
1)

2
2
2
2
x = -1
x=1
2) x-intercept will be at the origin since this is directly between -1 and 1.
3) Draw in the asymptotes and the curve. The distance between the asymptotes is the period
of the graph. In this case, that would be 2. So, to sketch another period, the next asymptote
would occur 2 units to the left of 1 at x = 3. The x-intercept would be at x = 2. Draw in the
curve and you got it.

-1

Graphing Cotangent
To graph cotangent, do the exact same thing you do for tangent except set what is in
parentheses equal to 0 and and solve for x. The x-intercept is again in the middle between
the asymptotes. Remember that the graph of cotangent goes the other way.
To graph tangent, following the steps outlined below:
4) Set what is in parentheses equal to 0 and and solve for x. This will tell you where
your asymptotes will be located.
5) The x-intercept is the point directly in the middle between the asymptotes. Plot that
point.

6) Draw in the cotangent curve (remember it FALLS from Left to Right). If there is a
negative in front, reflect it on the x axis.
** Note: The major difference between any graph of tangent is where the asymptotes are
located.
x
Example 2
Sketch the graph of y 3 cot
2
x
x
1)
0

2
2
x=0
x=2
2) x-intercept will be at 1, since this is halfway between 0 and 2.
3) Draw in the asymptotes and the curve. The distance between the asymptotes is the period
of the graph. In this case, that would be 2. So, to sketch another period, the next asymptote
would occur 2 units to the left of 1 at x = 3. The x-intercept would be at x = 2. Draw in the
curve and you got it.

3
-1

Graphing Cosecant and Secant

To graph cosecant and secant, first graph the sine or cosine function following the steps
outlined above. Then, whenever the graph crosses the x-axis, the graph of cosecant and
secant will have asymptotes because the denominator will be zero and you have an undefined
function. Also, between each pair of asymptotes you will see a parabola. The graph of
cosecant and secant will be the reverse of each parabola (they will share the vertex point).
Example 3
Sketch the graph of y csc4 x . Include 2 full periods. Be
sure to label and mark off your axes to indicate your scale. Fill out the box with the necessary
information.
1) First we DRAW the GUIDE FUNCTION which is the reciprocal of the cosecant
function sine. GUIDE FUNCTION: y sin4 x
Notice a = 1, and b = 4 .
2
So our Amplitude: 1,
period:

4
2

2) Find your starting point and ending point (phase shift)

4x 0
4 x 2

4x

4 x 3

3
4
4
** Note: These will be your starting and ending points on the x-axis for the first period you
will graph.

3) Find interval = period/4 = 2

(add this value each time beginning with x
4
4
8
3
until you end at x
to create the other points to plot.
4
x

4) Now to fill in the y-column, since you know that sine starts at y = 0, then when
x = , y will
also be 0. Afterwards, you will start the
x
y
movement along
the graph.
0

4
Plug the x value into original
-1
Function to get y. Remember you
3

Add interval to each
evaluate all the sine/cosine values
4 8 8
x value to get to the
from the unit circle!
0
3
next value.

8 8 2
1
5

2 8 8
0
5 3

8 8 4

Period: _______________
All Asymptotes in one period (equation!): ________
__________________________________________
Rel. Maximum point (any one): (______,______)
Rel. Minimum point (any one): (______,______)

y csc4 x

Guide Function

y sin4 x

1
2

3
4

1 Period

Practice:
1. Sketch the graph of y 2 sec4 x 2 . Include 2 full periods. Be sure to label and mark
off your axes to indicate your scale. Fill out the box with the necessary information.
2. Sketch the graph of y csc2 x . Include 2 full periods. Be sure to label and mark
off your axes to indicate your scale. Fill out the box with the necessary information.

3. Sketch the graph of y 2 cot x . Include 2 full periods. Be sure to label and mark
2

off your axes to indicate your scale. Fill out the box with the necessary information.
x
4. Sketch the graph of y 2 tan . Include 2 full periods. Be sure to label and mark off
4
your axes to indicate your scale. Fill out the box with the necessary information.