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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 25

In Exercises 17–30, determine the amplitude, period, and phase shift of each function. Then graph one period of the function.y = −2 sin(2x + π/2)

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1
Identify the standard form of the sine function: \( y = a \sin(bx + c) + d \).
Determine the amplitude by taking the absolute value of \( a \). Here, \( a = -2 \), so the amplitude is \( |a| = 2 \).
Calculate the period using the formula \( \frac{2\pi}{b} \). In this case, \( b = 2 \), so the period is \( \frac{2\pi}{2} = \pi \).
Find the phase shift by solving \( bx + c = 0 \) for \( x \). Here, \( 2x + \frac{\pi}{2} = 0 \), so the phase shift is \( x = -\frac{\pi}{4} \).
Graph one period of the function by starting at the phase shift \( x = -\frac{\pi}{4} \) and using the amplitude and period to plot key points of the sine wave.

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Key Concepts

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

Amplitude

Amplitude refers to the maximum distance from the midline of a periodic function to its peak or trough. In the context of sine and cosine functions, it is determined by the coefficient in front of the sine or cosine term. For the function y = -2 sin(2x + π/2), the amplitude is 2, indicating that the graph oscillates 2 units above and below the midline.
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Period

The period of a trigonometric function is the length of one complete cycle of the wave. It can be calculated using the formula P = 2π / |B|, where B is the coefficient of x in the function. For the function y = -2 sin(2x + π/2), B is 2, resulting in a period of π, meaning the function repeats every π units along the x-axis.
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Phase Shift

Phase shift refers to the horizontal shift of a periodic function along the x-axis. It is determined by the expression inside the sine or cosine function. For y = -2 sin(2x + π/2), the phase shift can be calculated as -C/B, where C is the constant added to x. Here, the phase shift is -π/4, indicating the graph is shifted π/4 units to the left.
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