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Functions · Common types of functions

Trigonometric function

Before you start, make sure you know: Oriented angles and the unit circle (Secondary Year 3)
Before you start, make sure you know: Trend and periodicity (High School Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2))

The outlet in your home in Mexico delivers alternating current at 60 cycles per second. Whoever designs your cell phone charger needs to know at exactly what instant the voltage reaches its maximum. In Veracruz or Mazatlán, fishermen and ports need to predict hours in advance how deep the water will be. Both problems are solved with the same tool: trigonometric functions, now with the angle measured in radians.

Domain, range, and periodicity of sine and cosine

To find out whether a composite function is even or odd, substitute $-x$ for $x$ and compare. For example, $f(x)=x\operatorname{sen}x$: $f(-x)=(-x)\operatorname{sen}(-x)=(-x)(-\operatorname{sen}x)=x\operatorname{sen}x=f(x)$, so it is even (odd times odd gives even).

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Determine the domain and range of the trigonometric function $f(x) = -4\cos(x) + 2$.

Determine the domain and range of the trigonometric function $f(x) = -4\cos(x) + 2$.

Solve
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Calculate the period of the function $g(t) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}t\right)$.

Calculate the period of the function $g(t) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}t\right)$.

Solve
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Study the symmetry (even, odd or neither) of the following trigonometric functions: $f(x) = x^2 \sin(x)$ $g(x) = \cos(x) + x^4$

Study the symmetry (even, odd or neither) of the following trigonometric functions:

  • $f(x) = x^2 \sin(x)$

  • $g(x) = \cos(x) + x^4$

Solve

Intercepts with the X-axis

To find where a trigonometric function crosses the $X$-axis, set it equal to zero and solve for the basic function. For example, $2\operatorname{sen}x-1=0$ gives $\operatorname{sen}x=\tfrac12$. On $[0,2\pi]$ sine equals $\tfrac12$ at $x=\tfrac\pi6$ and at $x=\tfrac{5\pi}6$ (sine is positive in the first and second quadrants).

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Find the x-intercepts (points of intersection with the x-axis) of the function $h(x) = 2\sin(x) - 1$ in the interval $[0, 2\pi]$.

Find the x-intercepts (points of intersection with the x-axis) of the function $h(x) = 2\sin(x) - 1$ in the interval $[0, 2\pi]$.

Solve

Exact values at special angles

Many exercises ask for exact values, without a calculator. It is enough to remember the values in the first quadrant and use the unit circle for the rest.

$x$ (rad) $0$ $\dfrac\pi6$ $\dfrac\pi4$ $\dfrac\pi3$ $\dfrac\pi2$
$\operatorname{sen}x$ $0$ $\dfrac12$ $\dfrac{\sqrt2}2$ $\dfrac{\sqrt3}2$ $1$
$\cos x$ $1$ $\dfrac{\sqrt3}2$ $\dfrac{\sqrt2}2$ $\dfrac12$ $0$
$\tan x$ $0$ $\dfrac{\sqrt3}3$ $1$ $\sqrt3$ undefined

The tangent: period $\pi$ and vertical asymptotes

Graph of the tangent function: increasing branches that shoot toward positive and negative infinity near the vertical asymptotes x = −π/2 and x = π/2. −π/2 π/2 asymptote x y

Domain with roots and logarithms

Other restrictions come from the fact that a square root requires a radicand $\ge 0$ and a logarithm requires an argument $>0$. This gives trigonometric inequalities: they are solved with the unit circle (or the graph) by seeing on which stretches sine or cosine is positive or negative. Then the conditions are intersected.

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Evaluate the function $f(x) = \tan(x)$ at the following exact values expressed in radians: $x = \frac{3\pi}{4}$ $x = \frac{5\pi}{3}$

Evaluate the function $f(x) = \tan(x)$ at the following exact values expressed in radians:

  • $x = \frac{3\pi}{4}$

  • $x = \frac{5\pi}{3}$

Solve
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Determine the domain of the function $f(x) = \frac{1}{2\cos(x) - 1}$ in the interval $[0, 2\pi]$.

Determine the domain of the function $f(x) = \frac{1}{2\cos(x) - 1}$ in the interval $[0, 2\pi]$.

Solve
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Determine the domain of the function $f(x) = \sqrt{\cos(x)} + \ln(\sin(x))$ restricted to the interval $[0, 2\pi]$.

Determine the domain of the function $f(x) = \sqrt{\cos(x)} + \ln(\sin(x))$ restricted to the interval $[0, 2\pi]$.

Solve

Reciprocal functions: cosecant, secant, and cotangent

Besides sine, cosine, and tangent there are three other functions defined as their reciprocals.

Amplitude, period, and phase shift: $A\operatorname{sen}(B(x-C))+D$

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Given the function $y = 5 - 3\sin(2x)$, identify its amplitude and its vertical translation relative to the basic sine function.

Given the function $y = 5 - 3\sin(2x)$, identify its amplitude and its vertical translation relative to the basic sine function.

Solve
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Write the algebraic expression for a function of the type $f(x) = A\cos(Bx)$, knowing that its amplitude is $5$ and its period is $4\pi$. <br>

Write the algebraic expression for a function of the type $f(x) = A\cos(Bx)$, knowing that its amplitude is $5$ and its period is $4\pi$.


Solve
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Find the algebraic expression for the function $f(x) = A\sin(Bx) + C$, knowing that: Its maximum value is $4$ and its minimum value is $-2$. Its period is $\pi$. It…

Find the algebraic expression for the function $f(x) = A\sin(Bx) + C$, knowing that:

  • Its maximum value is $4$ and its minimum value is $-2$.

  • Its period is $\pi$.

  • It passes through the point $(0, 1)$ and is increasing at that instant.

Solve
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Find the values of the parameters $a$, $b$ and $c$ (with $a > 0$ and $b > 0$) of the function $f(x) = a\sin(bx) + c$ knowing that: The maximum value of the function is…

Find the values of the parameters $a$, $b$ and $c$ (with $a > 0$ and $b > 0$) of the function $f(x) = a\sin(bx) + c$ knowing that:

  • The maximum value of the function is $10$.

  • The minimum value of the function is $2$.

  • The period of the function is $\frac{\pi}{2}$.

Solve

Inverse trigonometric functions

Graph of y = arcsin x: it passes through the origin and goes from the point (−1, −π/2) to the point (1, π/2). (−1, −π/2) (1, π/2) y = arcsin x x y

Relationship between arcsin and arccos

A typical use: a camera $50$ m from the base of a rising rocket. The angle of elevation satisfies $\tan\theta=\dfrac{h}{50}$, so $\theta=\arctan\dfrac{h}{50}$. With $h=50\sqrt3$ m: $\theta=\arctan\sqrt3=\dfrac\pi3$ rad $=60^\circ$.

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Calculate the exact value in radians of the following expressions involving inverse trigonometric functions, without using a calculator:…

Calculate the exact value in radians of the following expressions involving inverse trigonometric functions, without using a calculator:

  • $\arcsin\left(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)$

  • $\arccos(0)$

  • $\arctan(\sqrt{3})$

Solve
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A tracking camera is located $50\text{ m}$ from the launch pad of a rocket. The rocket ascends vertically. Express the angle of elevation $\theta$ of the camera as an…

A tracking camera is located $50\text{ m}$ from the launch pad of a rocket. The rocket ascends vertically.

  • Express the angle of elevation $\theta$ of the camera as an inverse trigonometric function of the height $h$ of the rocket.

  • Calculate the exact angle of elevation (in radians and degrees) when the rocket is at a height of $50\sqrt{3}\text{ m}$.

Solve
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Given the function $f(x) = 2\arcsin\left(\frac{x}{3}\right) + \pi$: Determine its domain. Determine its range. <br>

Given the function $f(x) = 2\arcsin\left(\frac{x}{3}\right) + \pi$:

  • Determine its domain.

  • Determine its range.


Solve
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Solve analytically the inverse trigonometric equation: $\arcsin(x) = \arccos(x)$.

Solve analytically the inverse trigonometric equation: $\arcsin(x) = \arccos(x)$.

Solve

Real-world periodic phenomena

Tides, alternating current, the seasons of the year, a spring that oscillates: any quantity that repeats the same way every fixed interval is modeled with $A\operatorname{sen}(B(t-C))+D$ or with cosine, where $t$ is usually time.

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The depth of the water $d$ (in meters) at a harbor entrance varies with the tides and can be modeled using the function $d(t) = 12 + 4\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}t\right)$,…

The depth of the water $d$ (in meters) at a harbor entrance varies with the tides and can be modeled using the function $d(t) = 12 + 4\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6}t\right)$, where $t$ is the time in hours elapsed since midnight ($t=0$).

  • What are the maximum and minimum depths of the water in the harbor?

  • At what times of day is the maximum depth reached for the first and second time?

Solve
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The voltage $V$ (in volts) of an alternating current circuit as a function of time $t$ (in seconds) is given by $V(t) = 311\sin(100\pi t)$. Calculate the frequency of…

The voltage $V$ (in volts) of an alternating current circuit as a function of time $t$ (in seconds) is given by $V(t) = 311\sin(100\pi t)$.

  • Calculate the frequency of the current (number of complete cycles per second).

  • Determine the first time $t > 0$ at which the voltage reaches its maximum value of $311$ V.

Solve
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The position of a weight suspended from a spring oscillating vertically is modelled using the function $y(t) = -5\cos(4\pi t)$, where $y$ is the displacement in cm from…

The position of a weight suspended from a spring oscillating vertically is modelled using the function $y(t) = -5\cos(4\pi t)$, where $y$ is the displacement in cm from the equilibrium position ($y=0$) and $t$ is the time in seconds.

  • What are the amplitude and period of the motion?

  • At what time $t > 0$ does the weight pass through the equilibrium position for the first time?

Solve
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The height $h$ (in meters) of a Ferris wheel capsule above the ground as a function of time $t$ (in minutes) is given by the attached graph. From the graph, determine…

The height $h$ (in meters) of a Ferris wheel capsule above the ground as a function of time $t$ (in minutes) is given by the attached graph.

t (min) h (m) 5 25 45 3 6 9 h(t)

From the graph, determine the algebraic expression for the function in the form $h(t) = A\cos(Bt) + C$. Justify the values of the parameters $A$, $B$ and $C$.

Solve
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In a city, the number of daylight hours throughout the year can be approximated by a function of the form $L(t) = A\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{365}(t - C)\right) + D$, where…

In a city, the number of daylight hours throughout the year can be approximated by a function of the form $L(t) = A\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{365}(t - C)\right) + D$, where $t$ is the day of the year ($t=1$ is 1 January).

Given that the day with the most daylight hours is 21 June ($t=172$) with $15$ hours, and the day with the fewest daylight hours is 21 December ($t=355$) with $9$ hours:

  • Find the values of the parameters $A$, $C$ and $D$.

  • Estimate the number of daylight hours on 21 March ($t=80$).

Solve

Back to the beginning: with $V(t)=311\operatorname{sen}(100\pi t)$, the first maximum occurs when $100\pi t=\dfrac\pi2$, that is, at $t=\dfrac1{200}$ s $=0.005$ s. With the Mexican frequency of $60$ Hz it would be at $t=\dfrac{1}{240}$ s.

Useful identities for the hard problems

Some exercises ask you to solve equations or combine terms. Two tools are enough:

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Given the functions $f(x) = \sin(2x)$ and $g(x) = \sin(x)$, analytically calculate the exact coordinates of all intersection points between both curves in the interval…

Given the functions $f(x) = \sin(2x)$ and $g(x) = \sin(x)$, analytically calculate the exact coordinates of all intersection points between both curves in the interval $[0, 2\pi]$. (Hint: use the double-angle sine identity).

Plot of the functions f(x) = sin(2x) and g(x) = sin(x) with their intersection points in [0, 2π] x y 1 −1 0 π/2 π 3π/2 2π g(x) = sin(x) f(x) = sin(2x) Intersection points: P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅ P₁ P₂ P₃ P₄ P₅
Solve
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Express the function $f(x) = \sqrt{3}\sin(x) + \cos(x)$ in the form $f(x) = A\sin(x + \alpha)$. From this new expression, state the amplitude and phase shift of the…

Express the function $f(x) = \sqrt{3}\sin(x) + \cos(x)$ in the form $f(x) = A\sin(x + \alpha)$. From this new expression, state the amplitude and phase shift of the function.

Solve
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The monthly sales $S$ (in thousands of units) of a seasonal product are modelled by the function $S(t) = 120 + 20t + 50\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}t\right)$, where $t$ is the…

The monthly sales $S$ (in thousands of units) of a seasonal product are modelled by the function $S(t) = 120 + 20t + 50\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}t\right)$, where $t$ is the time in months ($t=0$ corresponds to January).

  • Calculate sales in January ($t=0$) and in July ($t=6$).

  • Prove analytically whether sales in July are greater or less than in January and calculate the exact difference.

Solve
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A rectangle is inscribed inside a semicircle of radius $R = 10\text{ cm}$, such that its base lies on the diameter of the semicircle, as shown in the figure. Let…

A rectangle is inscribed inside a semicircle of radius $R = 10\text{ cm}$, such that its base lies on the diameter of the semicircle, as shown in the figure.

θ R = 10

Let $\theta$ be the angle formed by the radius drawn to a top vertex of the rectangle with the diameter.

  • Express the area of the rectangle as a function of the angle $\theta$. (Hint: use the double-angle formula for sine).

  • For what value of $\theta \in \left(0, \frac{\pi}{2}\right)$ is the area of the rectangle maximum, and what is this maximum value?

Solve

Summary

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