Chapter 5: Problem 12
Find the period, and graph the function. $$y=\frac{3}{4} \tan x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The period is \( \pi \), and the graph is a scaled tangent function.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Function
The given function is \( y = \frac{3}{4} \tan x \). This is a transformation of the basic tangent function \( \tan x \). The coefficient \( \frac{3}{4} \) affects the amplitude, which doesn't change the period of a tangent function.
02
Determine the Period of Tangent
The basic period of the tangent function \( \tan x \) is \( \pi \). The period of the function is calculated by dividing the period of the basic tangent function by the absolute value of the coefficient of \( x \). Since there is no coefficient affecting \( x \) here other than 1, the period remains \( \pi \).
03
Graph the Function
To graph \( y = \frac{3}{4} \tan x \), start by drawing the basic \( \tan x \) function, which has vertical asymptotes at \( x = -\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2}, \) etc. The function passes through the origin and repeats every \( \pi \) units. Multiply the output by \( \frac{3}{4} \) to scale it, making the graph less steep in comparison to \( y = \tan x \).
04
Identify Key Points and Vertical Asymptotes
At the key points between the asymptotes (e.g., \( x = 0, \pi, -\pi \)), the graph crosses through these points. The vertical asymptotes are unchanged from \( y = \tan x \), occurring at \(x = \pm \frac{\pi}{2}, \pm \frac{3\pi}{2} \), etc. To plot the graph accurately, identify a few specific points between the asymptotes and plot according to the scaling factor of \( \frac{3}{4} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Tangent Function
The tangent function, denoted as \( \tan x \), plays a crucial role in trigonometry. It is defined as the ratio of the sine function to the cosine function:
- \( \tan x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} \)
- The tangent function is undefined when \( \cos x = 0 \), which is at odd multiples of \( \frac{\pi}{2} \), leading to vertical asymptotes.
- This function repeats itself or is periodic every \( \pi \) units.
Graphing
Graphing the tangent function involves recognizing its unique characteristics, which include vertical asymptotes and periodicity:
- Identify key points: The graph always crosses the x-axis at \( x = 0, \pi, -\pi, \dots \)
- Determine vertical asymptotes: These occur where \( \tan x \) is undefined, at \( x = \pm \frac{\pi}{2}, \pm \frac{3\pi}{2}, \dots \)
- The graph repeats every \( \pi \) units.
Periodicity
Periodicity refers to how a function repeats itself over intervals. For the tangent function, this occurs every \( \pi \) units. This means that if you move \( \pi \) units along the x-axis, the function's values repeat themselves identically.
- The period of \( \tan x \) is \( \pi \), regardless of amplitude.
- Transformation does not change its core period, unless the internal workings (i.e., a coefficient multiplying \( x \)) are altered.