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Ch. 2 - Graphs of the Trigonometric Functions; Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Blitzer - Trigonometry 3rd Edition
Blitzer3rd EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780137316601Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 15

In Exercises 7–16, determine the amplitude and period of each function. Then graph one period of the function. y = -sin 2/3 x

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Identify the general form of the sine function: \(y = A \sin(Bx)\), where \(A\) is the amplitude and \(B\) affects the period.
From the given function \(y = -\sin \frac{2}{3} x\), recognize that the amplitude \(A\) is the absolute value of the coefficient in front of the sine, which is \(|-1| = 1\).
Determine the period using the formula \(\text{Period} = \frac{2\pi}{|B|}\), where \(B\) is the coefficient of \(x\) inside the sine function. Here, \(B = \frac{2}{3}\).
Calculate the period as \(\frac{2\pi}{\frac{2}{3}} = 2\pi \times \frac{3}{2} = 3\pi\) (do not compute the numerical value, just set up the expression).
To graph one period, plot the function from \(x = 0\) to \(x = 3\pi\), noting that the amplitude is 1 and the sine wave is reflected over the x-axis due to the negative sign.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Amplitude of a Sine Function

The amplitude of a sine function is the absolute value of the coefficient in front of the sine term. It represents the maximum vertical distance from the midline (usually the x-axis) to the peak or trough of the wave. For y = -sin(2/3 x), the amplitude is |-1| = 1.
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Period of a Sine Function

The period of a sine function is the length of one complete cycle along the x-axis. It is calculated by dividing 2π by the absolute value of the coefficient of x inside the sine function. For y = -sin(2/3 x), the period is 2π ÷ (2/3) = 3π.
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Period of Sine and Cosine Functions

Graphing One Period of a Sine Function

Graphing one period involves plotting the sine curve from the start to the end of one full cycle, based on the period. Key points include the midline, maximum, minimum, and zeros, spaced evenly according to the period. The negative sign reflects the graph across the x-axis.
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Period of Sine and Cosine Functions