Formulas for sinusoidal functions
In Section 1.5, we reviewed the functions sin x and cos x, their relation to points on a unit circle, and their
graphs. For reference, the graphs of y = sin x and y = cos x are shown below.
y
y = sin x
1
x
−2π −π π 2π 3π 4π
−1
y
y = cos x
1
x
−2π −π π 2π 3π 4π
−1
Our textbook has many examples and problems involving sinusoidal functions. In most of these examples,
however, the sinusoidal function f (x) is at its minimum, maximum, or midline when x = 0, so no horizontal
shift of sin or cos is necessary. When a horizontal shift is necessary, it is often convenient to write a formula
for the sinusoidal function as a horizontal shift of cos since its often easy to determine a value of x when
f (x) is maximized. In particular, we can write any sinusoidal function in the following form.
Suppose that f (x) is a sinusoidal function with amplitude A, midline
M , and period P , and suppose that f (x) takes its maximum value at
x = c. Then
2π
f (x) = A cos (x − c) + M.
P
Here are some examples using this way of writing sinusoidal functions.
Example 0.1. Find a formula for the sinusoidal function graphed below.
y
40
y = F (x)
x
−100 150 400 650 900 1150 1400 1650 1900
−20
Solution. The fuction F (x) oscillates between a minimum value of −20 and a maximum value of 40.
The midline is the number halfway between the max and min, so
1 1
midline = (max + min) = (40 + (−20)) = 10.
2 2
1
The amplitude is half the distance between the max and the min, so
1 1
amplitude = (max − min) = (40 − (−20)) = 30.
2 2
Check that these make sense. If the midline is 10 and the amplitude is 30, then the max would be
10 + 30 = 40, which is correct, and the min would be 10 − 30 = −20, which is correct.
To find the period of F (x), note that F (x) completes a full cycle betwen 150 (where its at a max)
and 1150 (where its at a max again), so the period is 1000. At x = 0, F (x) isn’t at its max, its min,
or its midline, so we will need a horizontal shift. Note that F (x) is at a maximum at x = 150, so using
the boxed formula above, we have
2π
F (x) = 30 cos (x − 150) + 10.
1000
Example 0.2. Find a formula for the sinusoidal function graphed below.
r
0.7
r = G(θ)
0.1
θ
−3π π 5π 9π
Solution. The fuction G(θ) oscillates between a minimum value of 0.1 and a maximum value of 0.7.
The midline is the number halfway between the max and min, so
1 1
midline = (max + min) = (0.7 + 0.1) = 0.4.
2 2
The amplitude is half the distance between the max and the min, so
1 1
amplitude = (max − min) = (0.7 − 0.1) = 0.3.
2 2
Check that these make sense. If the midline is 0.4 and the amplitude is 0.3, then the max would be
0.4 + 0.3 = 0.7, which is correct, and the min would be 0.4 − 0.3 = 0.1, which is correct.
To find the period of G(θ), note that G(θ) completes a full cycle betwen π (where its at a min)
and 9π (where its at a min again), so the period is 8π. At θ = 0, G(θ) isn’t at its max, its min, or its
midline, so we will need a horizontal shift. Note that G(θ) is at a maximum at θ = −3π and at θ = 5π,
so using the boxed formula above, we have
2π 1
G(θ) = 0.3 cos θ − (−3π) + 0.4 = 0.3 cos (θ + 3π) + 0.4
8π 4
or
2π 1
G(θ) = 0.3 cos (θ − 5π) + 0.4 = 0.3 cos (θ − 5π) + 0.4.
8π 4