Card Games – Trigonometric Functions

This document includes a collection of card games.

1. Periodic Functions Cards: Cards depicting various

transformations of y = sinx are provided. Identify the key
properties (amplitude, period, maximum & minimum values) of
each graph and match graphs that share common key
properties.

2. Key Properties of the Sine Function Cards: Explore the key

properties of y = sin x by matching cards depicting the name of
each key property with a visual image, value or brief description,
and definition. Variations of this game include Memory Match
and Go Fish.

3. Relations Cards: Classify various graphs and contextual

situations as either linear, quadratic, periodic or other. Determine
whether or not each relation is a function.
Periodic Functions Cards

The card set contains 16 “Graph” cards

The answer key (last page) references the graph card numbers.
The cards can be used in a variety of ways.

Suggestion 1
Pick one of the graph cards. Determine the key properties of the graph.

Suggestion 2
Pick one of the graph cards. Find all cards that have a curve with the same period.

Suggestion 3
Pick one of the graph cards. Find all cards that have a curve with the same maximum value (or minimum
value).

Suggestion 4
Pick one of the graph cards. Find all the cards that have a curve with the same amplitude.

Suggestion 5
Pick one of the graph cards. Sketch a curve with the same amplitude and period but different maximum
and minimum values.

Suggestion 6
Create additional cards for the set.
Graph 1 Graph 2

Graph 3 Graph 4
Graph 5 Graph 6

Graph 7 Graph 8
Graph 9 Graph 10

Graph 11 Graph 12
Graph 13 Graph 14

Graph 15 Graph 16
 Key Properties
No. Maximum Value Minimum Value Amplitude Period
1 1.0 -1.0 1.0 360
2 1.0 -1.0 1.0 90
3 2.0 0.0 1.0 90
4 2.0 0.0 1.0 90
5 3.0 -1.0 2.0 90
6 2.0 -2.0 2.0 90
7 2.0 -2.0 2.0 180
8 0.5 -0.5 0.5 180
9 0.5 -0.5 0.5 120
10 2.0 1.0 0.5 120
11 -0.5 -1.5 0.5 120
12 0.0 -2.0 1.0 120
13 3.0 0.0 1.5 180
14 3.0 0.0 1.5 360
15 3.0 -1.0 2.0 180
16 -0.5 -1.5 0.5 360
Key Property Graphs with the same key property
1, 2
3, 4, 6, 7, 10
Maximum Value 5, 13, 14, 15
8, 9
11, 16

1, 2, 5, 15
3, 4, 13, 14
Minimum Value 6, 7, 12
8, 9
11, 16

1, 2, 3, 4, 12
5, 6, 7, 15
Amplitude
8, 9, 10, 11, 16
13, 14

1, 14, 16
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Period
7, 8, 13, 15
9, 10, 11, 12
Key Properties of the Sine Function cards
The set contains 44 cards, four cards for each key property.

Each key property has a card depicting:

• property name
• visual image
• value or brief description
• definition

The cards can be used in a variety of ways.

Suggestion 1
Pick one of the cards. Find all cards that depict the same key property.

Suggestion 2
Play a version of Memory. Turn all cards face down. Pick two cards. If they
depict the same key property, keep them. Otherwise, return them to the table
face down. (This could be played solitaire or with others.)

Suggestion 3
Use the cards to play any card game where matching is required.

Go Fish, for example, could be played. Each player is dealt a number of cards
(7). In turns, each player asks others for cards with the same key properties as
one he/she is holding in his/her own hand. When a player collects all four cards
representing a key property, the set is put down in front of them. The player with
the most sets in the end wins.

Other card games, or solitaire games requiring matching could be adapted.

Suggestion 4
Use the cards to pick random groupings for the class. Each student draws a
random card. Students with cards that match the same key property form a
group.

Notes:
The PDF of the cards were designed using the same size as Avery Business
Cards – style # 05371. A custom back is provided as the final page in this PDF
if you wish to run the sheet of cardstock through the printer twice.

The first ten properties are depicted in the four full pages (each property is in the
same relative position on each page) – the eleventh property is on the following
half page. (The custom back is the final page.)
 Key Properties of the Sine Function

increasing
cycle interval(s)

decreasing
period interval(s)

maximum domain
value

minimum range
value

zeroes amplitude
Key Properties of the Sine Function
 Key Properties of the Sine Function

0° to 90° ,
1 wave 270° to 360°

360° 90° to 270°

1 {x | x !! R }

-1 {y | -1 ! y ! 1 }

0°, 180°, 360° 1

 Key Properties of the Sine Function

the smallest part of the portion of the function

the graph, or the during which the y-values
keep getting higher while
smallest shape, that moving forward along the
repeats x-axis

the portion of the function

the length of one during which the y-values
keep getting lower while
cycle moving forward along the
x-axis

the set of all

the y-value of a possible x-values
highest point on the for which the
graph function is defined

the set of all

the y-value of a possible y-values
lowest point on the output by
graph
the function

the x-values of the maximum height

points on the from the horizontal axis
horizontal axis of through the middle of
the curve the curve
 Key Properties of the Sine Function

phase shift

the horizontal shift

left or right of a
0 function out of
standard position
Key Properties of the Sine Function - back of card - use Avery Business Card # 05371
Relations Cards

The card set contains:

o 14 “Graph” cards
o 11 “Context” cards
o 4 “Type of Relation” cards
o 2 “Function” cards

The answer key (last page) references the graph or context card numbers.
The cards can be used in a variety of ways.

Suggestion 1
Pick one of the “Type of Relation” cards (e.g., linear, quadratic, periodic, other) and one of the “Function”
cards, then find all the “Graph” cards that match.

Suggestion 2
Pick one of the “Type of Relation” cards (e.g., linear, quadratic, periodic, other) and one of the “Function”
cards, then find all the “Context” cards that match.

Suggestion 3
Pick one of the graph or context cards then select the matching “Type of Relation” card and the matching
“Function” card.

Suggestion 4
Create additional cards for the set.

Suggestion 5
Group the cards in different ways, and state your grouping criteria.
Graph 1 Graph 2

Graph 3 Graph 4
Graph 5 Graph 6

Graph 7 Graph 8
Graph 9 Graph 10

Graph 11 Graph 12
Graph 13 Graph14
 Context 1 Context 2
An escalator runs non-stop. A ferris wheel goes round and round.

Relationship: Relationship:
Dependent Variable: distance between one stair tread and the Dependent Variable: distance between a person on the ferris
floor at the foot of the elevator wheel and the ground
Independent Variable: elapsed time Independent Variable: time

Context 3 Context 4
Ocean tides cause the depth of the water A battery operated pendulum swings back and forth.
in the Bay of Fundy to vary.

Relationship:
Relationship:
Dependent Variable: distance from the end of the pendulum to
Dependent Variable: depth of water
its position in the central position
Independent Variable: time
Independent Variable: time
 Context 5 Context 6
The minute hand of a clock goes round and round. Wendel prints this message over and over.

margin
Relationship: Relationship:
Dependent Variable: distance from the end of the minute hand Dependent Variable: height of the pencil point above the line
to its position at 12 o’clock Independent Variable: horizontal distance of the pencil point from
Independent Variable: time the margin

Context 7 Context 8
A kitchen sink, whose shape is a rectangular prism, Stock prices rise and fall.
is filled with water many times per week.

Relationship: Relationship:
Dependent Variable: volume of water in the sink Dependent Variable: price of one share of a particular stock
Independent Variable: depth of water in the sink Independent Variable: day of the year
 Context 9 Context 10
An elevator in a 10 story building An employee earns $25 per hour.
makes many several stops during the day.

Relationship:
Dependent Variable: the number of the floor at which the Relationship:
elevator doors open Dependent Variable: income
Independent Variable: the number of stops the elevator has made Independent Variable: number of hours worked

Context 11
A ball is dropped from a height of 5 metres
and bounces again and again until it stops.

Relationship:
Dependent Variable: height of ball
Independent Variable: time
 Type of Relation Type of Relation

linear quadratic
Type of Relation
Type of Relation

periodic other
 not a
function
function
 Answer Key – Graphs
No. Linear Quadratic Periodic Other Function
1 No No (the graph is not a Yes No Yes
(the graph is not a line) parabola)
2 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a No (the graph does not have a horizontal Yes Yes
parabola) pattern that repeats regularly)
3 No (the graph is piece-wise No (the graph is not a Yes No Yes
linear) parabola)
4 No (the graph is piece-wise No (the graph is not a No (the graph does not have a horizontal Yes Yes
linear) parabola) pattern that repeats regularly)
5 No (the graph is not a line) Yes No (the graph does not have a horizontal No Yes
pattern that repeats regularly)
6 Yes No (the graph is not a No (the graph does not have a horizontal No Yes
parabola) pattern that repeats regularly)
7 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a No (the graph does not have a horizontal Yes Yes
parabola) pattern that repeats regularly)
8 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a Yes No Yes
parabola)
9 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a Yes No No (the graph does not pass
parabola) the vertical line test)
10 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a Yes No Yes
parabola)
11 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a No (the graph does not have a horizontal Yes Yes
parabola) pattern that repeats regularly)
12 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is not a Yes No Yes
parabola)
13 No (the graph is not a line) No (the graph is the inverse No (the graph does not have a horizontal Yes No (the graph does not pass
of a quadratic function) pattern that repeats regularly) the vertical line test)
14 Yes No (the graph is not a No (the graph does not have a horizontal No No (the graph does not pass
parabola) pattern that repeats regularly) the vertical line test)
 Answer Key – Contexts
No. Linear Quadratic Periodic Other Function
1 No, since the distance cycles through No, since the distance cycles Yes, since there is a pattern No Yes, since at any moment in time
increases and decreases as the through increases and decreases as that repeats regularly there is only one distance value
escalator moves the escalator moves
2 No, since the distance cycles through No, since the distance cycles Yes, since there is a pattern No Yes, since at any moment in time
increases and decreases as the wheel through increases and decreases as that repeats regularly there is only one distance value
turns the wheel turns
3 No, since the depth cycles through No, since the depth cycles through Yes, since there is a pattern No Yes, since at any moment in time
increases and decreases as the tide increases and decreases as the tide that repeats regularly there is only one depth value
rises and falls rises and falls
4 No, since the distance cycles through No, since the distance cycles Yes, since there is a pattern No Yes, since at any moment in time
increases and decreases as the through increases and decreases as that repeats regularly there is only one distance value
pendulum swings the pendulum swings
5 No, since the distance cycles through No, since the distance cycles Yes, since there is a pattern No Yes, since at any moment in time
increases and decreases as the through increases and decreases as that repeats regularly there is only one distance value
minute hand rotates the minute hand rotates
6 No, since the height cycles through No, since the height cycles through Yes, since there is a pattern No No, since each character has
increases and decreases increases and decreases that repeats regularly multiple heights above the line for
any given distance from the margin
7 Yes, since the rate of change of No, since it is linear No, since there is no pattern No Yes, since for any depth value
volume with respect to depth of water that repeats regularly there is only one volume value
(for this rectangular prism) is constant
8 No, since stock prices rise and fall No, since stock prices rise and fall No, since there is usually no Yes Yes, since at any time a stock has
over time over time repeating pattern in the rise and only one price
fall of stock prices over time
9 No, since the number of the floor No, since the number of the floor No, since there is usually no Yes Yes, since the elevator stops at
where the elevator doors open goes up where the elevator doors open goes repeating pattern in the only one floor at a time
and down from stop to stop up and down from stop to stop elevator’s stops
10 Yes, since the income rises at a No, since it is linear No, since the income rises at a No Yes, since for a specific number of
constant rate (i.e., $25 per hour) constant rate (i.e., there is no hours there is only one income
repeating pattern)
11 No, since the height rises and falls No, since the height rises and falls No, since the height to which Yes Yes, since at any moment in time
several times until the ball stops several times until the ball stops the ball bounces keeps there is only one ball height
decreasing until the ball stops