Graphing Trigonometric Functions Reviewer

Prepared by: Ramon Paolo T. Quintero

I. Sine and Cosine Function

y=asin [b( xc )]+d

y=acos [b( xc)]+ d

Amplitude:
Period:

2
|b|

Phase shift:

Vertical Shift: d

units to the left if c <0 , and

units upward if d >0 , and

Domain: All real numbers

Range:

c
d

( ,+ )

(a ,+a )

II. Tangent and Cotangent Function

y=a tan[ b(xc)]+ d

y=acot [b( xc)]+d

units to the right if c >0 .

units downward if d <0 .

The constant a
Period:

vertically stretches or shrinks the graph.

|b|

Phase shift:

units to the left if c <0 , and

Vertical Shift: d

units upward if d >0 , and

units to the right if c >0 .

units downward if d <0 .

Equation of asymptotes:
a. For tangent functions,

b ( xc )=

( 2n+2 1 )

b ( xc )=n

b. For cotangent functions,

Domain:
a. For tangent functions,

b. For cotangent functions,

Range:

x Rx

( 2 n+1
2 ) }

{ x Rx n }

( ,+ )

III.Secant and Cosecant Function

y=a sec[b( xc)]+d

y=a csc[b( xc )]+d
The constant a
Period:

vertically stretches or shrinks the graph.

2
|b|

Phase shift:

Vertical Shift: d

units to the left if c <0 , and

units upward if d >0 , and

Equation of asymptotes:

units to the right if c >0 .

units downward if d <0 .

a. For secant functions,

b ( xc )=

( 2n+2 1 )

b ( xc )=n

b. For cosecant functions,

Domain:
a. For secant functions,

b. For cosecant functions,

Range:

x Rx

( 2 n+1
2 ) }

{ x Rx n }

(,a ]

EXAMPLES: Graph the following functions.

1.

y=4 sin 2 x

3
2

First, we transform the

equation to the form

y=asin [b( xc )]+d

[(

)]

3
4

y=4 sin 2 x
Amplitude: 4
Period:

2 2
= =
|b| 2

Phase shift:

units to the right

Vertical shift: 3 units downward

2.

y=2 cos

( 2 x )2

First, we transform the equation to the form

y=acos [b( xc)]+ d

y=2 cos

[ ]

x 2
2

Amplitude: 2

2 2
= =4

Period: |b|
2
0

Phase shift:

Vertical shift: 2 units downward

3.

y=tan x

2
+2
3

First, we transform the

equation to the form

y=a tan[b( xc)]+ d

y=tan x

Period:

2
+2
3

= =
|b| 1

Phase shift:

2
3

units to

the right
Vertical shift: 2 units upward
Asymptotes:

b ( xc )=

1 x

( 2n+2 1 )

2
2 n+1
=

3
2

)(

7
13
+
; x= ; x=
,x=

( 2 n+1
)
2
3
6
6
6

x=

4.

y=csc ( 2 x + ) +1

First, we transform the equation to the form

y=a csc [b( xc )]+d

[ ( )]

+1
2

y=csc 2 x +

2 2
= =
Period: |b|
2

Phase shift:

units to the left

Vertical shift: 1 unit upward

Asymptotes:

( ( ))

b ( xc )=n=2 x

( 2 )=n

2 x+
x=

; x=0 ; x= ; x =
2 2
2

In order to plot the function, convert the cosecant function to sine function:

y=csc ( 2 x + ) +1
y=sin ( 2 x + ) +1
Next, we transform the equation to the form

y=asin [b( xc )]+d

[ ( )]

y=sin 2 x +

+1
2

Amplitude: 1
Period:

2 2
= =
|b| 2

Phase shift:

units to the left

Vertical shift: 1 unit upward

Plot the sine function first, then plot the asymptotes. Afterwards, draw the cosecant
curves.