2. Graphs of y = a sin bx and y = a cos bx

by M. Bourne

Interactives...

Don't miss later on this page:
Java period interactive
Flash period interactive

The b in both of the graph types

y = a sin bx
y = a cos bx

affects the period (or wavelength) of the graph. The period is the distance (or time) that it takes for the sine or cosine curve to begin repeating again.

The period is given by:

Note: As b gets larger, the period decreases.

Changing the Period

First, let's look at the graph of y = 10 cos x, which we learned about in the last section, sine and cosine curves.

math expression

As we learned, the period is 2π.

Now let's look at y = 10 cos 3x. Note the 3 inside the cosine term.

10 cos 3x

Notice that the period is different. (The amplitude is 10 in each example.)

This time the curve starts to repeat itself at x = 2π/3. This is consistent with the formula we met above:

Now let's view the 2 curves on the same set of axes. Note that both graphs have an amplitude of 10 units, but their period is different.

together

Cosine Graph Java Applet - Period

Let's play with the graphs that we have just drawn. In this Java applet, you can vary the period (and the amplitude) by using the sliders at the bottom.

You can also change the function to whatever you like. Try changing it to a*sin(b*x) and then vary the value of b with the slider.

Show Java applet

Good to Know...

Tip

Remember, we are now operating using RADIANS. Recall that:

2π = 6.283185...

and that

2π = 360°

We only use radians in this chapter.

For a reminder, go to: Radians.

Note: b tells us the number of cycles in each 2π.

For y = 10 cos x, there is one cycle between 0 and 2π (because b = 1).

For y = 10 cos 3x, there are 3 cycles between 0 and 2π (because b = 3).

Flash Interactive - Pistons and the Period of a Sine Curve

Here's another interactive that you can use to explore the concept of period and frequency. The frequency = 1/period. We'll see more on this below.

The piston engine is the most commonly used engine in the world. Its motion can be described using a sine curve.

Things to Do

Click "Start" and you will see a sine curve traced out as the piston goes up and down.
Now, change the value of b using the slider. If you increase b, the period for each cycle will go down and the frequency will increase. Click "Start" again to see the effect of your change.
Observe the number of cycles that you see between t = 0 and t = 2π. For b = 1 you see one cycle, for b = 2, you see 2 cycles, and so on. If b < 1, you do not see any complete cycles.

The units along the horizontal (time) axis are in radians. So 3.14 = π radians and 6.28 = 2π radians.

Loading Flash movie.

Exercises

Need Graph Paper?

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1. Sketch 2 cycles of y = 3 cos 8x.

[You can use the Java applet above to help you understand how the sketch works.)

Answer

2. Sketch 2 cycles of y = cos 10x.

Answer

3. Sketch 2 cycles of y = 5 sin 2πx.

Answer

4. Sketch 2 cycles of y = 4 sin x/3

Answer

Defining Sine Curves using Frequency

It is common in electronics to express the sin graph in terms of the frequency f as follows:

y = sin 2πft

This is very convenient, since we don't have to do any calculation to find the frequency (like we were doing above). The frequency, f, is normally measured in cycles/second, which is the same as Hertz (Hz).

The period of the curve (the time it takes to go from one crest to the next crest) can be found easily once we know the frequency:

The units for period are normally seconds.

Example

Household voltage in the UK is alternating current, 240 V with frequency 50 Hz. What is the equation describing this voltage?

Answer

Coming Next

In the next section we learn about phase shift.

See Graphs of y = a sin (bx + c).

Later, we learn some Applications of Trigonometric Graphs.

Music Example

The frequency of a note in music depends on the period of the wave. If the frequency is high, the period is short; if the frequency is low, the period is longer.

Here is an interesting question which a student asked me recently. She wanted to know the frequencies of all the notes on a piano.

A piano is tuned to A = 440 Hz (cycles/second) and the other notes are evenly spaced, 12 notes to each octave. A note an octave higher than A = 440 Hz has twice the frequency (880 Hz) and an octave lower than A = 440 Hz has half the frequency (220 Hz).

Click here to find out the frequencies of notes on a piano.

1. Graphs of y = a sin x and y = a cos x

3. Graphs of y = a sin(bx + c) and y = a cos(bx + c)

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