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The 6 Trigonometric Functions Solutions

  • Trigonometry studies the relationship between angles and side lengths of triangles.
  • Trigonometric functions cycle through the same values over and over in a repeating pattern (as compared to the other families of functions in this course: polynomials, radicals, logarithmic, etc.)
  • There are six foundational trigonometry functions:
    • sine (sin)
    • tangent (tan)
    • secant (sec)
    • cosine (cos)
    • cotangent (cot)
    • cosecant (csc)
  • Each trigonometric function is periodic, meaning each repeats its values at regular intervals across the x-axis.
  • Sine, cosine, secant, and cosecant repeat values across an interval of 2π.
  • Tangent and cotangent repeat values across an interval of π.

For this Extension Lesson, the scale of the x-axis will be in radians.

  • For the parent graphs of the trigonometric functions, the scale of the x-axis is adjusted.
  • For sine, cosine, secant, and cosecant, the scale of the x-axis increases or decreases by  π2.
  • For tangent and cotangent, the scale of the x-axis increases or decreases by π4.
  • The scale of the y-axis increases or decreases by one.
  • Each trigonometric function includes five key elements on the graph, which consist of intercepts and asymptotes.

To see the periodic nature of the trigonometric functions, go to the Online Lesson, under Get Started, and click the Trigonometric Functions link.

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