TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Amplitude, Period, Phase Shift and Vertical Shift

Prepared by MA HENDRICKS

2022

Some functions (like the Trigonometric Functions repeat forever

and are called Periodic Functions.

The PERIOD is the length from one peak to the next (or from any point to the next
matching point):

The AMPLITUDE is the height from the center line to the peak (or to the trough). Or we
can measure the height from highest to lowest points and divide that by 2.

The PHASE SHIFT is how far the function is horizontally to the right of the usual
position.

1
The VERTICAL SHIFT is how far the function is vertically from the usual position.

SUMMARY
We can have all of them in one equation: y = A sin(Bx + C) + D

• amplitude is A
2
• period is
B
C
• phase shift is −
B
• vertical shift is D

EXAMPLE 1: sin (x)

This is the basic sine function where A=1 , B = 1 , C = 0 and D = 0 ,So

Amplitude is 1 Period is 2π

There is NO phase shift There is no vertical Shift

2
EXAMPLE 2: 2 sin(4x − 2) + 3

For this function A=2 , B = 4 , C = – 2 and D = 3 so,

Amplitude is 2 The tells us that the graph will be 2 times taller than usual 1.

2 2 1
Period is = = 2 The period is shorter than the usual 2π
B 4

C −2 1
The phase shift is − =− = 2 . The graph will be shifted to the RIGHT because of the
B 4
negative 2 , but because of the shorter period it is only shifted by 21 .

The vertical Shift is 3. The midline of the function will be at y=3.

C
Note the Phase Shift formula − has a negative sign:
B

• A positive value of C pushes the curve in the negative direction (to the left)
• A negative value of C pushes the curve in the positive direction (to the right)

3
EXAMPLE 3: 3 sin(10t + 1)

For this function A=3 , B = 10 , C = 1 and D = 0 so,

Amplitude is 3 The tells us that the graph will be 3 times taller than usual 1.

2 2 1
Period is = =  The period is shorter than the usual 2π
B 10 5

C 1
The phase shift is − =− = − 101 . The graph will be shifted to the LEFT because of the
B 10
positive 1 , but because of the shorter period it is only shifted by 101 .

The vertical Shift is 0. The midline of the function will be at y=0.