Emily Johnson

B2

Graphing Sine and Cosine Functions

Step one: In order to graph sine and cosine, we need an equation. The equation for a
sine (replace sin for cosine graph) function is:
Y = A sin ( B ( x - h ) ) + k
A = amplitude B = 2/period
H = horizontal shift K = vertical shift

*Replace sine with cosine for a cosine graph

Step two: Draw the

original graph. For
instance, if we are
drawing a sine graph, it
will look like this:

Step 3: Shift the points on

the original graph. Our
first point that will be
graphed is the y-intercept.
Given that the original
sine function starts at
zero, shift the function
using the value of k. For instance, if y = 4sin(3x-) - 2, our first point will be located at
(0, -2). Now graph your second point one period away from the first. To find the period,
divide b by 2. In this case, p = 2 / 3 = 2/3. This means that we will graph our second
point at (2/3, -2). Now graph your third point at the maximum. Shift a maximum point
on the sine graph, where in this case we can use (/2,1) taking all of the shifts and
changes to the equation into account. Repeat this to graph a point on the midline and
for your fifth point at a minimum. After graphing these points, you will have something
like what is shown to the left.
Step 4: Repeat points 2-5 until your graph is to the size that you want.

This connects with the topic of using the unit circle to evaluate trig expressions for
special angles. Sine and cosine graphs are basically a graph of the unit circle. If you
look at the basic sine graph, the points on the graph correspond with the points on the
circle.

This topic can also be applied to physics. Since

sound and light are waves, sinusoidal graphs are used very often in physics. For
instance, when you have two different light waves and they line up together, they create
a constructive interference, and the light appears. If not, the waves cancel out and no
light shows. Destructive interference is used in making sunglasses to block out uv rays.
Resources used:
desmos
Unit circle and sine graph:
http://cf.ydcdn.net/1.0.1.26/images/main/sine%20curve.jpg
http://www.mathmindedtutoring.com/storage/UnitCircle.gif?__SQUARESPACE_CACHE
VERSION=1369438976256

constructive/destructive interference:
http://mrshum.com/images/uploads/MED2938195/constructive-and-destructive-
interference.png