Chapter 5: Problem 66
Sketch the graph of the equation. $$y=|x| \cos x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \( y = |x| \cos x \) is a symmetrical wave about the y-axis, increasing in amplitude as you move away from the origin.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Equation
The given equation is \( y = |x| \cos x \). This equation combines two functions: the absolute value function \( |x| \) and the cosine function \( \cos x \). It's important to recognize that \( |x| \) affects the amplitude of the cosine wave, making all values non-negative.
02
Identify Key Points
Examine the behavior of \( |x| \) and \( \cos x \). At \( x = 0 \), \( |x| = 0 \), so \( y = 0 \). For other points such as \( x = \pi/2 \), \( 3\pi/2 \), \( 5\pi/2 \), and so on, the value of \( \cos x \) is 0, hence \( y = 0 \) there as well.
03
Determine the Behavior for x > 0
For \( x > 0 \), the function becomes \( y = x \cos x \). Recognize that the cosine function oscillates between -1 and 1, so \( y \) oscillates between \(-x\) and \(x\). The graph resembles a cosine wave increasing in amplitude since \( x \) is increasing for positive values.
04
Determine the Behavior for x < 0
For \( x < 0 \), \( |x| = -x \), so the function is \( y = -x \cos x \). However, since absolute value makes the graph non-negative, it behaves similarly but mirrored about the y-axis as compared to \( x > 0 \).
05
Sketch the Graph
Plot the key points found in Step 2 on a coordinate plane. For positive \( x \), sketch a cosine wave starting at the origin, with increasing amplitude as \( x \) increases. For negative \( x \), mirror this wave across the y-axis. The graph will exhibit a wave-like form, symmetrically growing in amplitude away from the origin.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Absolute Value Function
The absolute value function is a fundamental concept in mathematics, expressed as \(|x|\). It transforms any input value into its non-negative counterpart. This means that whether \(x\) is positive or negative, \(|x|\) will always be positive or zero.
- If \(x > 0\), then \(|x| = x\).
- If \(x = 0\), then \(|x| = 0\).
- If \(x < 0\), then \(|x| = -x\).
Cosine Function
The cosine function, denoted as \(\cos x\), is a periodic trigonometric function that oscillates between -1 and 1. Its key feature is its wave-like pattern that repeats every \(2\pi\) radians.
- The cosine of 0 is 1.
- The cosine of \(\pi/2\) is 0.
- The cosine of \(\pi\) is -1.
- It completes one full cycle every \(2\pi\) radians.
Amplitude of Function
Amplitude refers to the maximum distance a wave reaches from its mean position. For a standard cosine function, the amplitude is typically 1. However, in the equation \(y = |x| \cos x\), the amplitude changes dynamically because of the multiplication by \(|x|\).
- For \(x > 0\), the amplitude is \(x\), causing the wave to grow outward as \(x\) increases.
- For \(x < 0\), the function mirroring keeps the amplitude equivalent to the positive side.
Symmetry in Graphs
Symmetry in graphs refers to the balanced and mirrored appearance of a graph around a certain line or point. In the equation \(y = |x| \cos x\), symmetry is particularly noteworthy. The involvement of the absolute value function results in a graph that is symmetric about the y-axis.
- For \(x > 0\), the graph takes the form of a typical positive cosine wave with increasing amplitude.
- The negative values of \(x\), due to \(|x|\), mirror this positive cosine wave across the y-axis.