Chapter 7: Problem 3
Graph the function. $$ f(x)=-\sin x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \( f(x) = -\sin x \) is a vertical reflection of \( \sin x \) across the x-axis.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Function Characteristics
The given function is \( f(x) = -\sin x \). The function is a transformation of the basic sine function \( \sin x \). It is vertically reflected across the x-axis, which means each y-value of \( \sin x \) is multiplied by -1.
02
Determine Key Points to Plot
The sine function has key points at intervals of \( \frac{\pi}{2} \). For \( \sin x \): \( \sin 0 = 0 \), \( \sin \frac{\pi}{2} = 1 \), \( \sin \pi = 0 \), \( \sin \frac{3\pi}{2} = -1 \), \( \sin 2\pi = 0 \). For \( -\sin x \), these points become: \( (0, 0) \), \( \left(\frac{\pi}{2}, -1\right) \), \( (\pi, 0) \), \( \left(\frac{3\pi}{2}, 1\right) \), \( (2\pi, 0) \).
03
Sketch the Graph
On a set of axes, plot the key points found in Step 2. Start at the origin \((0, 0)\), then plot the points \( \left(\frac{\pi}{2}, -1\right), (\pi, 0), \left(\frac{3\pi}{2}, 1\right), (2\pi, 0) \). Connect these points with a smooth, continuous curve to complete one period of the function.
04
Identify the Period and Amplitude
The period of the function \(-\sin x\) is \(2\pi\), the same as \(\sin x\). The amplitude, or the distance from the midline of the graph to a peak or trough, is 1. However, because this is a reflection, the peaks are \( -1 \) and troughs are \( 1 \), opposite from the regular \( \sin x \).
05
Repeat the Pattern
To graph more than one period, extend the pattern formed in Step 3 both to the left and right, using the same interval \(2\pi\) to repeat the key points that were plotted.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sine function
The sine function, denoted as \( \sin x \), is one of the fundamental trigonometric functions. It is commonly encountered in mathematics and plays a vital role in various applications such as physics, engineering, and music. When you graph the basic sine function, it typically has a smooth wave-like shape known as a sinusoidal curve.
The wave oscillates above and below the x-axis forming peaks and troughs. For the basic sine wave, it starts at the origin (0,0), peaks at \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\), returns to the x-axis at \(x = \pi\), reaches a trough at \(x = \frac{3\pi}{2}\), and completes one full cycle back at \(x = 2\pi\).
The wave oscillates above and below the x-axis forming peaks and troughs. For the basic sine wave, it starts at the origin (0,0), peaks at \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\), returns to the x-axis at \(x = \pi\), reaches a trough at \(x = \frac{3\pi}{2}\), and completes one full cycle back at \(x = 2\pi\).
- The sine function is periodic, meaning it repeats itself over regular intervals.
- In one complete cycle, the sine wave covers an interval of \([0, 2\pi]\).
- Its graph illustrates the smooth, continuous variation over this interval.
Graphing transformations
Graphing transformations involve shifting, stretching, or reflecting functions in a systematic way. In the case of \(-\sin x\), it is helpful to understand that this is more than just a sine wave:
When you graph \(-\sin x\), you are reflecting the standard sine wave across the x-axis. This means for the function \(-\sin x\), wherever \(\sin x\) would have been above the x-axis, \(-\sin x\) is below and vice versa.
When you graph \(-\sin x\), you are reflecting the standard sine wave across the x-axis. This means for the function \(-\sin x\), wherever \(\sin x\) would have been above the x-axis, \(-\sin x\) is below and vice versa.
- Reflecting a graph in this way simply takes all y-values of the original function and multiplies them by -1.
- This forms the essential transformation to consider when graphing \(-\sin x\).
- The overall shape will still be a sinusoidal curve, just flipped vertically.
Function characteristics
The characteristics of a function are its distinct features. For \(-\sin x\), understanding its function characteristics is crucial for accurately sketching or analyzing the graph.
A key attribute of the sine wave, including \(-\sin x\), is symmetry. This function is symmetric about the origin, meaning that if you rotate the graph 180 degrees, it looks the same.
Additional characteristics for \(-\sin x\):
A key attribute of the sine wave, including \(-\sin x\), is symmetry. This function is symmetric about the origin, meaning that if you rotate the graph 180 degrees, it looks the same.
Additional characteristics for \(-\sin x\):
- It is an odd function, a property that describes the graph's symmetry. For any input value \(x\), \(-\sin(-x) = \sin x\).
- The sine wave is continuous and smooth, which makes it easy to connect plotted points.
- The intercepts on the x-axis are at intervals of \(n\pi\), where \(n\) is an integer.
Period
The period of a trigonometric function refers to the interval over which the function completes one full cycle before repeating. For the standard sine function \( \sin x \), the period is \(2\pi\). This means that its wave pattern repeats every \(2\pi\) units along the x-axis.
When considering transformations like \(-\sin x\), the period remains unaffected. The reflection only changes the vertical orientation but does not alter the horizontal length of one cycle. Therefore, the period for \(-\sin x\) is still \(2\pi\).
When considering transformations like \(-\sin x\), the period remains unaffected. The reflection only changes the vertical orientation but does not alter the horizontal length of one cycle. Therefore, the period for \(-\sin x\) is still \(2\pi\).
- Regularly occurring intervals make graphing more than one period straightforward.
- On a graph, you'd extend the wave horizontally in both directions, repeating the pattern every \(2\pi\).
- Understanding the period is essential for identifying how the wave continues indefinitely.
Amplitude
The amplitude of a sine wave refers to the maximum height from the wave's midline—usually the x-axis—to the peak of the wave. For the standard sine wave, the amplitude is 1.
For \(-\sin x\), the concept of amplitude helps you understand the vertical extent. Despite the vertical flipping, the amplitude remains 1 because:
For \(-\sin x\), the concept of amplitude helps you understand the vertical extent. Despite the vertical flipping, the amplitude remains 1 because:
- The vertical distance from the midline to a peak is still 1, though reflected.
- This reflection leads to peaks at \(-1\) and troughs at \(1\), which are the reverse of \(\sin x\).
- Orientation doesn't affect the amplitude as it's a measure of distance.