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Ch. 4 - Graphs of the Circular Functions
Lial - Trigonometry 12th Edition
Lial12th EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780136552161Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 5, Problem 4.1

Fill in the blank(s) to correctly complete each sentence.
The graph of y = sin (x + π/4) is obtained by shifting the graph of y = sin x ______ unit(s) to the ________ (right/left).

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the transformation in the function y = \sin(x + \frac{\pi}{4}).
Recognize that the expression (x + \frac{\pi}{4}) indicates a horizontal shift.
Understand that adding \frac{\pi}{4} inside the function argument shifts the graph to the left.
Determine the magnitude of the shift, which is \frac{\pi}{4} units.
Conclude that the graph of y = \sin(x + \frac{\pi}{4}) is obtained by shifting the graph of y = \sin x \frac{\pi}{4} units to the left.

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Key Concepts

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

Phase Shift

Phase shift refers to the horizontal translation of a periodic function, such as sine or cosine. In the equation y = sin(x + π/4), the term (x + π/4) indicates a shift to the left by π/4 units. This is because adding a positive value inside the function's argument results in a leftward movement on the graph.
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Sine Function Properties

The sine function is a periodic function with a range of [-1, 1] and a period of 2π. Understanding its basic shape and behavior is crucial for analyzing transformations. The standard sine graph oscillates between -1 and 1, and any changes to its equation, such as phase shifts, affect its position but not its amplitude or period.
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Graph of Sine and Cosine Function

Graph Transformations

Graph transformations involve changes to the position or shape of a function's graph. These can include shifts, stretches, and reflections. In the case of y = sin(x + π/4), the transformation is a horizontal shift, which alters the starting point of the sine wave without changing its amplitude or frequency.
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