Graphs of Trigonometric Functions

Terminology
• Domain: all the possible 𝑥 values on the graph
• Range: all the possible 𝑦-values on the graph
• Amplitude: the maximum distance from the equilibrium position
• Period: number of degrees to complete a wave or a cycle.

SINE GRAPH
The diagram below shows the graph of: 𝑦 = sin𝑥

Properties
• Range: −1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 1; 𝑦 ∈ 𝑅
• Domain: −360° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 360°; 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅
• Period: 360°
• Amplitude: 1
• Maximum value: 1
• Minimum value: −1

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COSINE GRAPH
The diagram below shows the graph of : 𝑦 = cos𝑥

Properties
• Range: −1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 1; 𝑦 ∈ 𝑅
• Domain: −360° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 360°; 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅
• Period: 360°
• Amplitude: 1
• Maximum value: 1
• Minimum value: −1

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CHANGE IN AMPLITUDE
• The amplitude of a graph is given by the coefficient of sin𝑥 or cos𝑥.
• Given 𝑦 = 𝑎sin𝑥 or 𝑦 = 𝑎cos𝑥 , the amplitude = 𝑎
• 𝑦 = 1sin𝑥 or sin𝑥 : amplitude 𝑎 = 1 ;
• 𝑦 = 2cos𝑥: amplitude = 2 ;
• The amplitude value is always positive, irrespective if 𝒂 is negative
Example: if 𝑎 = −2, then the amplitude is 2.
• 𝑦 = −sin𝑥…amplitude = 1
• 𝑦 = −4cos𝑥… amplitude = 4

Examples:

1. The graph of 𝑦 = 2sin𝜃; 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

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2. The graphs of: 𝑦 = −sin𝑥 and 𝑦 = 2sin𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°] on the same set of
axes:

3. The graph of: 𝑦 = 3cos𝜃; 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

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4. The graphs of: 𝑦 = −2cos𝑥 and 𝑦 = 2 𝑐os𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°] on the same set of

axes:

VERTICAL SHIFT
Given: 𝑦 = sin𝑥 ± 𝑞 or 𝑦 = cos𝑥 ± 𝑞 , the parameter 𝑞 shifts the whole graph up or down
by 𝑞 units.
Examples
1. The graph of 𝑦 = sin𝜃 + 1; 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

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2. The graphs of: y = −sinx and y = −sinx + 1 for x ∈ [−360°; 360°] on the same set of
axes:

3. The graph of 𝑦 = cos𝜃 − 1; 𝑥 ∈ [0°; 360°]

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CHANGE IN PERIOD
Given: 𝑦 = sin𝑏𝑥 or 𝑦 = cos𝑏𝑥, the parameter 𝑏 changes the period of the graph by
a factor of 𝑏
Examples
1. Graph of 𝑦 = sin3𝜃 for 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]
360 120
The new period is = 120°. All 𝑥-values are = 30° apart from each other.
3 4

The 𝒚-values remain unchanged.

2. Graph of 𝑦 = cos2𝜃 for 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

360 180
The new period is = 180°. All 𝑥 −values are = 45° apart from each other.
2 4

The 𝑦 −values remain unchanged.

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HORIZONTAL SHIFT
Given 𝑦 = sin(𝑥 + 𝑞) or 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 + 𝑞) ,if 𝑞 > 0 (positive), the graph moves 𝑞 degrees to the
left. If 𝑞 < 0 (negative), the graph moves 𝑞 degrees to the right.
Examples
1. Graph of y = sin𝑥 and 𝑦 = sin(𝑥 + 60°) on the same set of axes for
𝑥 ∈ [−180°; 180°]

Note that for the graph of 𝑦 = sin(𝑥 + 60°),all the 𝑥-values of 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 have shifted by
60 units to the LEFT. To every 𝑥-coordinate in the original 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 graph, you subtract 60.

2. Graph of 𝑦 = sin(𝑥 − 60°) for 𝑥 ∈ [−180°; 360°]

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 Note that for the graph of 𝑦 = sin(𝑥 − 60°),all the 𝑥-values of 𝑦 = sin𝑥 have shifted by
60 nits to the RIGHT. To every 𝑥-coordinate in the original 𝑦 = sin𝑥 graph, you add 60.

3. Graphs of 𝑦 = cos𝑥 and 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 − 45°),for 𝑥 ∈ [−180°; 180°]

Note that for the graph of 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 − 45°),all the 𝑥-values of 𝑦 = cos𝑥 have shifted by 60
units to the RIGHT. To every 𝑥-coordinate in the original 𝑦 = cos𝑥 graph, you add 45.

4. Graph of 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 + 30°) for 𝑥 ∈ [−180°; 180°]

Note: The graph above is shifted by 30 units to the left.

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TANGENT GRAPH:
The diagram below shows the graph of 𝑦 = tan𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

Properties
1 Asymptotes 𝑥 = ±90° and ±270°

2 𝑥-intercepts 𝑥 = −360° ; 180° ; 0° ; 180° ; 360°

3 Domain 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

4 Range 𝑦∈𝑅

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CHANGE IN AMPLITUDE
Given, 𝑦 = 𝑎tan𝑥, the value of a changes the amplitude of the graph
Examples
1. Graph of: 𝒚 = 𝟐𝐭𝐚𝐧𝒙 for 𝒙 ∈ [−𝟏𝟖𝟎°; 𝟏𝟖𝟎°]

NOTE:
➢ The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎tan𝑥 has no maximum or maximum value.
➢ The value of 𝒂 does not change the amplitude of 𝑦 = 𝑎tan𝑥 as there is no amplitude.
➢ The value of 𝑎 affects the 𝑦-value of each point. Each 𝑦-value is multiplied by 𝑎

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VERTICAL SHIFT
Given 𝑦 = tan𝑥 ± 𝑞, the parameter 𝑞 shifts the whole graph up or down by 𝑞 units.
Example
1. The diagram below shows the graph of: 𝑦 = tan𝑥 and 𝑦 = tan𝑥 + 1 for
𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]

CHANGE IN PERIOD
Given, 𝑦 = tan𝑏𝑥 the parameter 𝑏 changes the period of the graph by a factor of 𝑏
Example
1 180
Given 𝑦 = tan 2 𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ [−360°; 360°]. The new period is : 1 = 360°.
2

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HORIZONTAL SHIFT
Given, 𝑦 = tan(𝑥 + 𝑞) , if 𝑞 > 0 (positive), the graph moves 𝑞 degrees to the left. If 𝑞 < 0
(negative), the graph moves 𝑞 degrees to the right.
Example
Graph of 𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧(𝒙 + 𝟒𝟓°) for 𝒙 ∈ [−𝟏𝟖𝟎°; 𝟏𝟖𝟎°]

Note:
➢ The graph of 𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝒙 has shifted 45 to the left to form 𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧(𝒙 + 𝟒𝟓°).
➢ The asymptotes have also shifted 45° to the left.

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PAST EXAM PRACTISE PAPERS
2018 March Paper 2 Q 5.5
Consider 𝑔(𝑥) = −4cos(𝑥 + 30°)
5.5.1 Write down the maximum value of 𝑔(𝑥). (1)
5.5.2 Determine the range of 𝑔(𝑥) + 1. (2)
5.5.3 The graph of 𝑔 is shifted 60° to the left and then reflected about the 𝑥-axis to
form a new graph ℎ. Determine the equation of ℎ in its simplest form. (3)

2017 March Paper 2 Q 5

In the diagram, the graphs of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎sin𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = tan𝑏𝑥 are drawn on the
same system of axes for the interval 0° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 225°.

5.1 Write down the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏. (2)

5.2 Write down the period of 𝑓(3𝑥). (2)
5.3 Determine the values of 𝑥 in the interval 90° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 225 for which 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 0. (3)

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2013 March Paper 2 Q 10
The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = sin2𝑥 for −180° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 90° is shown in the sketch below.

10.1 Write down the range of 𝑓. (2)

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10.2 Determine the period of 𝑓 (2 𝑥). (2)

10.3 Draw the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = cos (𝑥 − 30°) for −180° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 90° on the system of
axes on DIAGRAM SHEET 3. Clearly label ALL the 𝑥-intercept and turning points. (4)
10.4 Hence, or otherwise, determine the values of 𝑥 in the interval −180° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 90°
for which 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) < 0. (4)
10.5 Describe the transformation that graph 𝑓 has to undergo to form
𝑦 = sin (2𝑥 + 60°). (2)
10.6 Determine the general solution of sin2𝑥 = cos (𝑥 − 30°). (6)

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2014 Gauteng Preliminary Paper 2 Q 7
7.1 Use the system of axes of DIAGRAM SHEET 3 to sketch the graphs of:
1
𝑓(𝑥) = − 2 sin (𝑥 + 30°) and 𝑔(𝑥) = cos2𝑥 if −180° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 180° (6)

7.2 Write down the period of 𝑔. (1)

7.3 Graph ℎ is obtained when the 𝑦-axis for 𝑓 is moved 120° to the left. Give the
equation of ℎ in the form ℎ(𝑥) =….. (2)
7.4 Determine the general solution of: cos2𝑥 = 1. (2)

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DIAGRAM SHEET 3

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2015 Gauteng Preliminary Paper 2 Q 7.2
The following sketch shows the graphs of:
• 𝑓(𝑥) = cos𝑎𝑥; −180° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 180°
• 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏sin𝑥; −180° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 180°

7.2.1 Determine the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏. (2)

7.2.2 What is the period of 𝑔? (1)
7.2.3 What is the minimum-value of 𝑓? (1)
7.2.4 For which values of 𝑥, in the interval [0°; 180°] is 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) > 0? (2)

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2015 Senior Certificate Paper 2 Q 6
In the diagram below the graphs of 𝑓(𝑥) = sin𝑏𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = −cos𝑥 are drawn for
−90° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 90°. Use the diagram to answer the following questions.

6.1 Write down the period of 𝑓. (1)

6.2 Determine the value of 𝑏. (1)
6.3 The general solutions of the equation sin𝑏𝑥 = −cos𝑥 are 𝑥 = 67,5° + 𝑘90° or
𝑥 = 135° + 𝑘180° where 𝑘 ∈ 𝑍. Determine the 𝑥-values of the points of intersection
of 𝑓 and 𝑔 for the given domain. (3)
6.4 Write down the values of 𝑥 for which sin𝑏𝑥 + cos𝑥 < 0 for the given domain. (4)

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2015 Free State Preliminary Paper 2 Q 8
Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) = sin2𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ [−90°; 90°]

8.1 Write down the period of 𝑓. (1)

8.2 Sketch the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = cos (𝑥 − 15°) for 𝑥 ∈ [−90°; 90°]. (5)
8.3 Solve the equation: sin2𝑥 = cos (𝑥 − 15°) for 𝑥 ∈ [−90°; 90°]. (7)
8.4 Find the values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) < 𝑔(𝑥). (3)

2018 Free State Preliminary Paper 2 Q 8

The diagram below shows the graphs of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎cos𝑏𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐sin𝑑𝑥 in the interval
𝑥 ∈ [0°; 180°]. The graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 intersect at points P and Q. M (90°; 2) is the turning
point of 𝑔 and N(180°; 1) is an end of point 𝑓.

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8.1 Write down the numerical value of 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑. (4)
8.2 If (158,56°, 073) are the coordinates of Q, write down the coordinates of P. (2)
8.3 If 𝑥 ∈ (0°; 180°),determine the values of 𝑥 for which:
8.3.1 𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 (1)
8.3.2 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 0 (2)

2016 Overberg District Preliminary Paper 2 Q 6

In the diagram, the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = cos(𝑥 − 60°) and 𝑔(𝑥) = sin3𝑥 are drawn for
𝑥 ∈ [−120° ; 120°].

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6.1 Write down the period of 𝑔(𝑥). (1)
6.2 Write down the amplitude of 𝑓(𝑥). (1)
6.3 Give the range of 𝑓(𝑥) − 1. (1)
6.4 Determine the 𝑥 value(s), 𝑥 ∈ [−120° ; 120°] where the two graphs intersect. (6)
6.5 For which values of 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ [0° ; 120°], will 𝑔(𝑥 − 5°) > 𝑓(𝑥 − 5°)? (3)
6.6 The graph ℎ is obtained when the graph of 𝑓 is shifted 45° to the left. Write down
the equation of ℎ in its simplest form. (2)

2010 March Paper 2 Q 11

Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 + sin𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = cos2𝑥
11.1 Calculate the points of intersection of the graphs 𝑓 and 𝑔 for 𝑥 ∈ [180°; 360°]. (7)
11.2 Draw sketch graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 for 𝑥 ∈ [180°; 360°] on the same system of axes
provided on DIAGRAM SHEET 3. (4)
11.3 For which values of x will 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑔(𝑥) for 𝑥 ∈ [180°; 360°]? (3)
DIAGRAM SHEET 3

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2009 November Paper 2 Q 12
Given 𝑔(𝑥) = 2cos (𝑥 − 30°)
12.1 Sketch the graph of 𝑔 for 𝑥 ∈ [−90°; 270°] on DIAGRAM SHEET 4. (2)
12.2 Use the symbols A and B to plot the two points on the graph of 𝑔 for which
cos(𝑥 − 30°) = 0,5. (2)
12.3 Calculate the 𝑥-coordinates of the points A and B. (3)
12.4 Write down the values of 𝑥, where 𝑥 ∈ [−90°; 270°] and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 0. (2)
12.5 Use the graph to solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ [−90°; 270°], where 𝑔(𝑥) < 0. (3)

DIAGRAM SHEET 4

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2016 Western Cape Preliminary Paper 2 Q 6
In the diagram, the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = −sin2𝑥 is drawn for the interval 𝑥 ∈ [−90° ; 180°].

6.1 Draw the graph of 𝑔 where 𝑔(𝑥) = cos(𝑥 − 60°) on the same system of axes for
the interval 𝑥 ∈ [−90° ; 180°]. (3)
6.2 Determine the general solution of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥). (5)
6.3 Use your graphs to solve 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑔(𝑥) for 𝑥 ∈ [−90° ; 180°] (3)
6.4 If the graph of 𝑓 is shifted 30° left, give the equation of the new graph which is
formed. (2)
6.5 Which transformation must the graph of 𝑔 undergo to form the graph of ℎ where
ℎ(𝑥) = sin𝑥? (2

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