Chapter 10: Problem 2
Sketch the curves of the given functions by addition of ordinates. $$y=3-2 \cos x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The curve of \(y = 3 - 2\cos x\) oscillates between 1 and 5, peaking at 3, with a period of \(2\pi\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Components
Identify the components of the function. The given function is composed of a constant term and a cosine term. Specifically, the function is expressed as \( y = 3 - 2\cos x \). This means it is a vertical translation of a scaled and reflected cosine function.
02
Sketch the Base Cosine Function
Start by sketching the basic cosine function \(y = \cos x\), which varies between -1 and 1 and crosses the y-axis at 1. It has a period of \(2\pi\), peaking at 1 and dipping to -1.
03
Apply Reflection and Scaling
Since the function inside is \(-2\cos x\), apply a reflection over the x-axis and scale the cosine function by a factor of 2. This changes the range to [-2, 2], with peaks at -2 and troughs at 2.
04
Apply Vertical Translation
Next, apply the vertical translation by adding 3 to the entire function, which adjusts the entire graph upwards by 3 units. Consequently, the peaks shift from -2 to 1, and the troughs shift from 2 to 3.
05
Determine Key Points
Identify key points on the new graph to help sketch it. At \(x = 0\), \(y = 3 - 2\cdot 1 = 1\). At \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\), \(y = 3 - 2\cdot 0 = 3\). At \(x = \pi\), \(y = 3 - 2\cdot (-1) = 5\). Continue finding points to outline the curve.
06
Sketch the Transformed Curve
Using the key points and transformations, sketch the curve. The wave oscillates between 1 and 5 along the y-axis, with a period of \(2\pi\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cosine Function
The cosine function, denoted as \( y = \cos x \), is one of the fundamental trigonometric functions. In its most basic form, the cosine function varies between -1 and 1.
This means it reaches its maximum value of 1 when \( x = 0 \) and its minimum value of -1 at \( x = \pi \). It repeats this pattern every \( 2\pi \) units, which is known as its period.
Key characteristics of the **cosine function** include:
This means it reaches its maximum value of 1 when \( x = 0 \) and its minimum value of -1 at \( x = \pi \). It repeats this pattern every \( 2\pi \) units, which is known as its period.
Key characteristics of the **cosine function** include:
- Amplitude of 1, meaning it oscillates 1 unit above and below the x-axis.
- Period of \( 2\pi \), indicating the length of each complete wave.
- The axis of symmetry along the y-axis, causing it to have an even symmetry.
Vertical Translation
Vertical translation involves shifting the entire graph of a function up or down along the y-axis. In the given function, \( y = 3 - 2\cos x \), the term '+3' causes an upward shift.
This means that every point on the graph moves up by 3 units.
Vertical translation does not change the shape of the graph but moves it uniformly:
This means that every point on the graph moves up by 3 units.
Vertical translation does not change the shape of the graph but moves it uniformly:
- The peaks and troughs of the wave shift upward, maintaining their spacing.
- For the function \( y = -2\cos x + 3 \), peaks initially at -2 now appear at 1 (from -2 + 3 = 1).
- Troughs which were at 2 now shift to 5 (from 2 + 3 = 5).
Reflection and Scaling
Reflection and scaling are transformations that modify the appearance and dimension of a trigonometric graph.
Specifically, for the function \( y = 3 - 2\cos x \), these transformations drastically change how the base cosine waveform is displayed.
**Reflection** is the flipping of the graph over an axis:
Specifically, for the function \( y = 3 - 2\cos x \), these transformations drastically change how the base cosine waveform is displayed.
**Reflection** is the flipping of the graph over an axis:
- By multiplying \( \cos x \) by -2, the graph reflects over the x-axis, flipping the peaks and troughs.
- The scaling of -2 increases the amplitude from 1 to 2, meaning the peaks and troughs now reach twice as far from the axis.
Graph Sketching
Sketching a transformed cosine function involves understanding and applying the changes due to transformations.
For the function \( y = 3 - 2\cos x \), we take a step-by-step approach:
For the function \( y = 3 - 2\cos x \), we take a step-by-step approach:
- Start with the base: Know that the base cosine function \( \cos x \) oscillates between -1 and 1.
- Apply reflection and scaling: Reflect about the x-axis and scale by multiplying by -2, resulting in \( -2\cos x \) with a range of [-2, 2].
- Translate vertically: Add 3 to shift the entire graph upward, now oscillating between 1 and 5.
- Plot Key Points: Identify and plot points at key angles like 0, \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), and \(\pi\) to nail down the shape.
- Complete the curve: Use these transformations and points to outline the new waveform across its period of \(2\pi\).