Trig Graphing-Vocabulary

General Function
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑏(𝑥 − 𝑑) + 𝑐
Midline The line equidistant from the maximum
and minimum

𝑦 = 𝑐 (Vertical Translation)

Amplitude The difference between

maximum/minimum and midline values.

𝑎 (Vertical Scaling)

Frequency The number of cycles that is graphed

every 2π units.

𝑏 (Horizontal Scaling)

Period How long it takes to see one full cure (5

DOTS)

2π
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 = 𝑏

Phase Shift The horizontal translation

𝑑
How to graph-Steps (Cosine Graph)

Step 1 Label all values:

1. Amplitude
2. Frequency
3. Midline
4. Phase Shift

Step 2 Draw in midline on graph

Step 3 Apply phase shift (Horizontal Translation)

−3π
The translation was
4
Step 4 Determine period AND when the graph ends

The period is π

The graph ends at

π
4

Increment by
π
4
Step 5 The Cosine graph ends where it begins…
1. Two dots at the endpoints
2. Two dots in the midline
3. One dot at the minimum
How to graph-Steps (Sin Graph)

Step 1 Label all values:

5. Amplitude
6. Frequency
7. Midline
8. Phase Shift

Step 2 Draw in midline on graph

Step 3 Apply phase shift (Horizontal Translation)

3π
The translation was + 8

Step 4 Determine period AND when the graph ends

π
The period is
2

(
7π 3π π
The graph ends at
8 8
+ 2
)

Graph Ending EQ: 𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 + 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑

Increment by
π
8
Step 5 The Sine graph ends where it begins…
1. Two starting/ending points at the midline
2. 1 Point on midline in the middle
3. 1 point at maximum
4. 1 point at minimum
Equation from Graph

Step 1 Decide if its a cosine or sine graph

1. If the graph starts at its maximum…
a. It's a cosine graph
2. If the graph starts at the midline…
a. It’s a sine graph

Step 2 Identify the graphs midline and sketch it

Step 3 Identify Amplitude (Difference from maximum to midline)

Step 4 Identify a full cycle of the graph

Wherever that full cycle is, is what the period is equal to

Step 5