490 Chapter 6 Trigonometry

6.5 GRAPHS OF OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

What you should learn Graph of the Tangent Function
• Sketch the graphs of tangent
functions. Recall that the tangent function is odd. That is, tan x  tan x. Consequently, the
• Sketch the graphs of cotangent graph of y  tan x is symmetric with respect to the origin. You also know from the
functions. identity tan x  sin x
cos x that the tangent is undefined for values at which cos x  0.
• Sketch the graphs of secant and Two such values are x  ± 
2  ± 1.5708.
cosecant functions.
• Sketch the graphs of damped    
trigonometric functions. x  1.57 1.5  0 1.5 1.57
2 4 4 2
Why you should learn it tan x Undef. 1255.8 14.1 1 0 1 14.1 1255.8 Undef.
Graphs of trigonometric functions can
be used to model real-life situations
such as the distance from a television As indicated in the table, tan x increases without bound as x approaches 
2 from the
camera to a unit in a parade, as in left, and decreases without bound as x approaches  
2 from the right. So, the graph
Exercise 92 on page 499. of y  tan x has vertical asymptotes at x  
2 and x   
2, as shown in
Figure 6.59. Moreover, because the period of the tangent function is , vertical
asymptotes also occur when x  
2 n, where n is an integer. The domain of the
tangent function is the set of all real numbers other than x  
2 n, and the range
is the set of all real numbers.
Alan Pappe/Photodisc/Getty Images

y y = tan x
PERIOD: 
DOMAIN: ALL x  2 n
3

2 RANGE: ( , )
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  2 n
1
SYMMETRY: ORIGIN
x
− 3π −π π π 3π
2 2 2 2

−3

FIGURE 6.59
• You can review odd and even
functions in Section 2.3.
• You can review symmetry of Sketching the graph of y  a tan bx  c is similar to sketching the graph of
a graph in Section 1.1. y  a sin bx  c in that you locate key points that identify the intercepts and asymptotes.
• You can review trigonometric Two consecutive vertical asymptotes can be found by solving the equations
identities in Section 6.2.  
• You can review asymptotes in bx  c   and bx  c  .
2 2
Section 4.1.
• You can review domain and The midpoint between two consecutive vertical asymptotes is an x-intercept of the
range of a function in Section graph. The period of the function y  a tan bx  c is the distance between two
2.2. consecutive vertical asymptotes. The amplitude of a tangent function is not defined.
• You can review intercepts of After plotting the asymptotes and the x-intercept, plot a few additional points between
a graph in Section 1.1. the two asymptotes and sketch one cycle. Finally, sketch one or two additional cycles
to the left and right.
 Section 6.5 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions 491

x Example 1
y y = tan
2
Sketching the Graph of a Tangent Function
3 Sketch the graph of y  tan x
2.
2
Solution
1
By solving the equations
x
−π π 3π x  x 
 and 
2 2 2 2
x   x
−3 you can see that two consecutive vertical asymptotes occur at x    and x  .
Between these two asymptotes, plot a few points, including the x-intercept, as shown in
FIGURE 6.60
the table. Three cycles of the graph are shown in Figure 6.60.

 
x   0 
2 2
x
tan Undef. 1 0 1 Undef.
2

Now try Exercise 15.

Example 2 Sketching the Graph of a Tangent Function

Sketch the graph of y  3 tan 2x.

Solution
y y = −3 tan 2x By solving the equations
6  
2x   and 2x 
2 2
 
x x
4 4
x
− 3π − π −π π π 3π you can see that two consecutive vertical asymptotes occur at x   
4 and x  
4.
4 2 4 −2 4 2 4
Between these two asymptotes, plot a few points, including the x-intercept, as shown in
−4 the table. Three cycles of the graph are shown in Figure 6.61.
−6
   
FIGURE 6.61 x   0
4 8 8 4
3 tan 2x Undef. 3 0 3 Undef.

By comparing the graphs in Examples 1 and 2, you can see that the graph of
y  a tan bx  c increases between consecutive vertical asymptotes when a > 0, and
decreases between consecutive vertical asymptotes when a < 0. In other words, the graph
for a < 0 is a reflection in the x-axis of the graph for a > 0.
Now try Exercise 17.
492 Chapter 6 Trigonometry

Graph of the Cotangent Function

The graph of the cotangent function is similar to the graph of the tangent function. It
also has a period of . However, from the identity
cos x
y  cot x 
sin x
you can see that the cotangent function has vertical asymptotes when sin x is zero,
which occurs at x  n, where n is an integer. The graph of the cotangent function is
T E C H N O LO G Y shown in Figure 6.62. Note that two consecutive vertical asymptotes of the graph of
y  a cot bx  c can be found by solving the equations bx  c  0 and bx  c  .
Some graphing utilities have
difficulty graphing trigonometric
y y = cot x
functions that have vertical PERIOD: 
asymptotes. Your graphing utility 3 DOMAIN: ALL x  n
may connect parts of the graphs RANGE: ( , )
2
of tangent, cotangent, secant, VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  n
and cosecant functions that are 1
SYMMETRY: ORIGIN
not supposed to be connected.
x
To eliminate this problem, −π 3π
−π π π 2π
change the mode of the graphing 2 2 2
utility to dot mode.

FIGURE 6.62

y y = 2 cot x Example 3 Sketching the Graph of a Cotangent Function

3
3 x
Sketch the graph of y  2 cot .
2
3

1 Solution
x By solving the equations
−2π π 3π 4π 6π
x x
0 and  
3 3
x0 x  3
you can see that two consecutive vertical asymptotes occur at x  0 and x  3.
FIGURE 6.63 Between these two asymptotes, plot a few points, including the x-intercept, as shown in
the table. Three cycles of the graph are shown in Figure 6.63. Note that the period is
3, the distance between consecutive asymptotes.

3 3 9
x 0 3
4 2 4
x
2 cot Undef. 2 0 2 Undef.
3

Now try Exercise 27.

 Section 6.5 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions 493

Graphs of the Reciprocal Functions

The graphs of the two remaining trigonometric functions can be obtained from the
graphs of the sine and cosine functions using the reciprocal identities
1 1
csc x  and sec x  .
sin x cos x
For instance, at a given value of x, the y-coordinate of sec x is the reciprocal of the
y-coordinate of cos x. Of course, when cos x  0, the reciprocal does not exist. Near
such values of x, the behavior of the secant function is similar to that of the tangent
function. In other words, the graphs of
sin x 1
tan x  and sec x 
cos x cos x
have vertical asymptotes at x  
2 n, where n is an integer, and the cosine is zero
at these x-values. Similarly,
cos x 1
cot x  and csc x 
sin x sin x
have vertical asymptotes where sin x  0 —that is, at x  n.
To sketch the graph of a secant or cosecant function, you should first make a sketch
of its reciprocal function. For instance, to sketch the graph of y  csc x, first sketch the
graph of y  sin x. Then take reciprocals of the y-coordinates to obtain points on the
graph of y  csc x. This procedure is used to obtain the graphs shown in Figure 6.64.

y y

3 y = csc x 3 y = sec x
2
y = sin x

x x
−π π π −π π π 2π
−1 2 −1 2
−2
y = cos x
−3

PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 2
DOMAIN: ALL x  n DOMAIN: ALL x  2 n
y
RANGE: ( , 1 傼 1, ) RANGE: ( , 1 傼 1, )
4 Cosecant: VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  n VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES: x  2 n
3 relative SYMMETRY: y-AXIS
SYMMETRY: ORIGIN
minimum
2 FIGURE 6.64
Sine:
1
minimum
x In comparing the graphs of the cosecant and secant functions with those of the sine
Sine: π 2π and cosine functions, note that the “hills” and “valleys” are interchanged. For example,
−1
maximum a hill (or maximum point) on the sine curve corresponds to a valley (a relative
−2
Cosecant: minimum) on the cosecant curve, and a valley (or minimum point) on the sine curve
−3 relative
corresponds to a hill (a relative maximum) on the cosecant curve, as shown in
−4 maximum
Figure 6.65. Additionally, x-intercepts of the sine and cosine functions become vertical
FIGURE 6.65 asymptotes of the cosecant and secant functions, respectively (see Figure 6.65).
494 Chapter 6 Trigonometry

y = 2 csc x + π y y = 2 sin x + π
( ) ( ) Example 4 Sketching the Graph of a Cosecant Function
4 4
4

3 Sketch the graph of y  2 csc x  4.

1
Solution
x
Begin by sketching the graph of
π 2π


y  2 sin x
4
.
For this function, the amplitude is 2 and the period is 2. By solving the equations
 
x 0 and x  2
FIGURE 6.66 4 4
 7
x x
4 4
you can see that one cycle of the sine function corresponds to the interval from
x   
4 to x  7
4. The graph of this sine function is represented by the gray
curve in Figure 6.66. Because the sine function is zero at the midpoint and endpoints of
this interval, the corresponding cosecant function

y  2 csc x  4 
2 sinx 1 
4
has vertical asymptotes at x   
4, x  3
4, x  7
4, etc. The graph of the
cosecant function is represented by the black curve in Figure 6.66.
Now try Exercise 33.

Example 5 Sketching the Graph of a Secant Function

Sketch the graph of y  sec 2x.

Solution
y = sec 2x y y = cos 2x Begin by sketching the graph of y  cos 2x, as indicated by the gray curve in Figure
6.67. Then, form the graph of y  sec 2x as the black curve in the figure. Note that the
3
x-intercepts of y  cos 2x

 4 , 0, 4 , 0, 34, 0, . . .

x correspond to the vertical asymptotes
−π −π π π
2
−1
2   3
x , x , x ,. . .
4 4 4
−2
of the graph of y  sec 2x. Moreover, notice that the period of y  cos 2x and
−3 y  sec 2x is .
FIGURE 6.67 Now try Exercise 35.
 Section 6.5 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions 495

Damped Trigonometric Graphs

A product of two functions can be graphed using properties of the individual functions.
For instance, consider the function
f x  x sin x
as the product of the functions y  x and y  sin x. Using properties of absolute value
y
and the fact that sin x  1, you have 0  x sin x  x . Consequently,
y = −x 3π y=x
 x  x sin x  x
2π which means that the graph of f x  x sin x lies between the lines y  x and y  x.
Furthermore, because
π

x f x  x sin x  ± x at x n
π 2
−π
and
−2π f x  x sin x  0 at x  n
−3π the graph of f touches the line y  x or the line y  x at x  
2 n and has
f(x) = x sin x
x-intercepts at x  n. A sketch of f is shown in Figure 6.68. In the function
FIGURE 6.68 f x  x sin x, the factor x is called the damping factor.

Example 6 Damped Sine Wave

Do you see why the graph of Sketch the graph of f x  ex sin 3x.
f x  x sin x touches the lines
y  ± x at x  
2 n and Solution
why the graph has x-intercepts Consider f x as the product of the two functions
at x  n? Recall that the sine
y  ex and y  sin 3x
function is equal to 1 at 
2,
3
2, 5
2, . . . odd multiples each of which has the set of real numbers as its domain. For any real number x, you
of 
2 and is equal to 0 at ,
know that ex  0 and sin 3x  1. So, ex sin 3x  ex, which means that
2, 3, . . . multiples of .
ex  ex sin 3x  ex.
Furthermore, because
f(x) = e−x sin 3x y
 n
f x  ex sin 3x  ± ex at x
6 6 3
4 and
y= e−x n
f x  ex sin 3x  0 at x
3
x
π 2π π
3 3 the graph of f touches the curves y  ex and y  ex at x  
6 n
3 and has
y = −e−x
intercepts at x  n
3. A sketch is shown in Figure 6.69.
−4
Now try Exercise 65.
−6

FIGURE 6.69
496 Chapter 6 Trigonometry

Figure 6.70 summarizes the characteristics of the six basic trigonometric functions.

y y
y y = tan x
2 y = sin x 2 3
y = cos x
2
1
1
x x
x
−π −π π π 3π −π π 2π
2 2 2 −π π π 3π 5π
−1 2 2 2 2

−2 −2

DOMAIN: ( , ) DOMAIN: ( , ) DOMAIN: ALL x  2 n

RANGE: 1, 1 RANGE: 1, 1 RANGE: ( , )
PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 

y = csc x = 1 y = sec x = 1 y y = cot x = tan1 x

y y
sin x cos x
3 3 3

2 2

1 1

x x x
π 2π
−π π π 2π −π −π π π 3π 2π
2 2 2 2

−2

−3

DOMAIN: ALL x  n DOMAIN: ALL x  2 n DOMAIN: ALL x  n

RANGE: ( , 1 傼 1, ) RANGE: ( , 1 傼 1, ) RANGE: ( , )
PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 2 PERIOD: 
FIGURE 6.70

CLASSROOM DISCUSSION
Combining Trigonometric Functions Recall from Section 2.6 that functions can
be combined arithmetically. This also applies to trigonometric functions. For each of
the functions
hx ⴝ x ⴙ sin x and hx ⴝ cos x ⴚ sin 3x
(a) identify two simpler functions f and g that comprise the combination, (b) use a
table to show how to obtain the numerical values of hx from the numerical values
of f x and gx, and (c) use graphs of f and g to show how the graph of h may be
formed.
Can you find functions
f x ⴝ d ⴙ a sinbx ⴙ c and gx ⴝ d ⴙ a cosbx ⴙ c
such that f x ⴙ gx ⴝ 0 for all x?
 Section 6.5 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions 497

6.5 EXERCISES See [Link] for worked-out solutions to odd-numbered exercises.

VOCABULARY: Fill in the blanks.
1. The tangent, cotangent, and cosecant functions are ________ , so the graphs of these functions have symmetry
with respect to the ________.
2. The graphs of the tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant functions all have ________ asymptotes.
3. To sketch the graph of a secant or cosecant function, first make a sketch of its corresponding ________ function.
4. For the functions given by f x  g x  sin x, g x is called the ________ factor of the function f x.
5. The period of y  tan x is ________.
6. The domain of y  cot x is all real numbers such that ________.
7. The range of y  sec x is ________.
8. The period of y  csc x is ________.

SKILLS AND APPLICATIONS

In Exercises 9–14, match the function with its graph. State In Exercises 15–38, sketch the graph of the function. Include
the period of the function. [The graphs are labeled (a), (b), two full periods.
(c), (d), (e), and (f).]
1
y y 15. y  tan x 16. y  tan 4x
(a) (b) 3
2 17. y  2 tan 3x 18. y  3 tan  x
1
1 19. y   12 sec x 20. y  14 sec x
1
x
2
x
21. y  csc  x 22. y  3 csc 4x
23. y  12 sec  x 24. y  2 sec 4x 2
x x
25. y  csc 26. y  csc
y y 2 3
(c) (d)
4 x
3
3 27. y  3 cot 2x 28. y  3 cot
2
2 2
1
x x
29. y  2 sec 3x 30. y   12 tan x
π x
− 3π −π 3π
2 2 2 2 31. y  tan 32. y  tan x 
−3 4
−4 −3
33. y  2 csc x   34. y  csc 2x  
(e) y
(f ) y
35. y  2 sec x  36. y  sec x 1
4  
   
3 1
37. y  csc x 38. y  2 cot x
π 4 4 2
2
x x
1 In Exercises 39–48, use a graphing utility to graph the
function. Include two full periods.
x
39. y  tan 40. y  tan 2x
x 3
9. y  sec 2x 10. y  tan
2 41. y  2 sec 4x 42. y  sec  x
1  
   
11. y  cot  x 12. y  csc x 1
43. y  tan x  44. y  cot x 
2 4 4 2
1 x x 45. y  csc 4x   46. y  2 sec 2x  
13. y  sec 14. y  2 sec
2 2 2 x  x 
   
1
47. y  0.1 tan 48. y  sec
4 4 3 2 2
498 Chapter 6 Trigonometry

In Exercises 49–56, use a graph to solve the equation on the 70. y1  tan x cot2 x, y2  cot x
interval [ⴚ2␲, 2␲]. 71. y1  1 cot2 x, y2  csc2 x
49. tan x  1 50. tan x  3 72. y1  sec2 x  1, y2  tan2 x
3
51. cot x   52. cot x  1 In Exercises 73–76, match the function with its graph.
3
Describe the behavior of the function as x approaches zero.
53. sec x  2 54. sec x  2 [The graphs are labeled (a), (b), (c), and (d).]
23
55. csc x  2 56. csc x   (a) y
(b) y
3
2
4
In Exercises 57– 64, use the graph of the function to x 2
−1 π
determine whether the function is even, odd, or neither. −2 2 x
Verify your answer algebraically. −3 π 3π
−4 2 2
−5
57. f x  sec x 58. f x  tan x −6
−4

59. g x  cot x 60. g x  csc x

y y
61. f x  x tan x 62. f x  x2  sec x (c) (d)
4
63. g x  x csc x 64. g x  x2 cot x 4
3
2 2
65. GRAPHICAL REASONING Consider the functions x 1
given by −π π x
−2 −π π
−1
1 −4
f x  2 sin x and g x  csc x −2
2
on the interval 0, .
73. f x  x cos x 74. f x  x sin x

(a) Graph f and g in the same coordinate plane.

75. g x  x sin x
76. g x  x cos x

(b) Approximate the interval in which f > g. CONJECTURE In Exercises 77– 80, graph the functions f
(c) Describe the behavior of each of the functions as x and g. Use the graphs to make a conjecture about the
approaches . How is the behavior of g related to relationship between the functions.
the behavior of f as x approaches ?

66. GRAPHICAL REASONING Consider the functions  2 ,
77. f x  sin x cos x g x  0
given by

x 1 x 78. f x  sin x  cosx , g x  2 sin x
f x  tan and g x  sec 2
2 2 2
79. f x  sin2 x, g x  12 1  cos 2x
on the interval 1, 1. x 1
80. f x  cos2 , g x  1 cos  x
(a) Use a graphing utility to graph f and g in the same 2 2
viewing window.
(b) Approximate the interval in which f < g. In Exercises 81–84, use a graphing utility to graph the
(c) Approximate the interval in which 2f < 2g. How function and the damping factor of the function in the same
does the result compare with that of part (b)? viewing window. Describe the behavior of the function as x
Explain. increases without bound.
81. g x  ex
2 sin x 82. f x  ex cos x
2

In Exercises 67–72, use a graphing utility to graph the two 83. f x  2x
4 cos  x 84. h x  2x
4 sin x
2

equations in the same viewing window. Use the graphs to

determine whether the expressions are equivalent. Verify the In Exercises 85–90, use a graphing utility to graph the
results algebraically. function. Describe the behavior of the function as x
67. y1  sin x csc x, y2  1 approaches zero.
68. y1  sin x sec x, y2  tan x 6 4
85. y  cos x, x > 0 86. y  sin 2x, x > 0
cos x x x
69. y1  , y2  cot x
sin x
 Section 6.5 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions 499

sin x 1  cos x

(in degrees Fahrenheit)

87. g x  88. f x 
x x 80 H(t)

Temperature
1 1 60
89. f x  sin 90. h x  x sin
x x 40 L(t)
91. DISTANCE A plane flying at an altitude of 7 miles 20
above a radar antenna will pass directly over the radar t
antenna (see figure). Let d be the ground distance from 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
the antenna to the point directly under the plane and Month of year
let x be the angle of elevation to the plane from the
antenna. (d is positive as the plane approaches the (a) What is the period of each function?
antenna.) Write d as a function of x and graph the (b) During what part of the year is the difference
function over the interval 0 < x < . between the normal high and normal low
temperatures greatest? When is it smallest?
(c) The sun is northernmost in the sky around June 21,
but the graph shows the warmest temperatures at a
7 mi later date. Approximate the lag time of the
temperatures relative to the position of the sun.
x 94. SALES The projected monthly sales S (in thousands of
d units) of lawn mowers (a seasonal product) are modeled
by S  74 3t  40 cos t
6, where t is the time (in
Not drawn to scale months), with t  1 corresponding to January. Graph
the sales function over 1 year.
92. TELEVISION COVERAGE A television camera is on a
95. HARMONIC MOTION An object weighing W pounds
reviewing platform 27 meters from the street on which a
is suspended from the ceiling by a steel spring (see
parade will be passing from left to right (see figure).
figure). The weight is pulled downward (positive
Write the distance d from the camera to a particular unit
direction) from its equilibrium position and released.
in the parade as a function of the angle x, and graph the
The resulting motion of the weight is described by the
function over the interval  
2 < x < 
2. (Consider 1
function y  2 et
4 cos 4t, t > 0, where y is the dis-
x as negative when a unit in the parade approaches from
tance (in feet) and t is the time (in seconds).
the left.)

Not drawn to scale

Equilibrium
27 m d
x y

Camera
(a) Use a graphing utility to graph the function.
93. METEOROLOGY The normal monthly high tempera- (b) Describe the behavior of the displacement function
tures H (in degrees Fahrenheit) in Erie, Pennsylvania for increasing values of time t.
are approximated by
EXPLORATION
H t  56.94  20.86 cos  t
6  11.58 sin  t
6
and the normal monthly low temperatures L are TRUE OR FALSE? In Exercises 96 and 97, determine
approximated by whether the statement is true or false. Justify your answer.
L t  41.80  17.13 cos  t
6  13.39 sin  t
6 96. The graph of y  csc x can be obtained on a calculator
by graphing the reciprocal of y  sin x.
where t is the time (in months), with t  1 corresponding
to January (see figure). (Source: National Climatic 97. The graph of y  sec x can be obtained on a
Data Center) calculator by graphing a translation of the reciprocal of
y  sin x.
500 Chapter 6 Trigonometry

(b) Starting with x0  1, generate a sequence x1, x2,

98. CAPSTONE Determine which function is repre- x3, . . . , where xn  cos xn1. For example,
sented by the graph. Do not use a calculator. Explain x0  1
your reasoning.
x1  cos x0
(a) (b)
y y
x2  cos x1
x3  cos x2
3
2 
1 What value does the sequence approach?
x x
− π4 π π
−π −π π π 104. APPROXIMATION Using calculus, it can be shown
4 2 2 4 4 2
that the tangent function can be approximated by the
polynomial
2x 3 16x 5
(i) f x  tan 2x (i) f x  sec 4x tan x  x
3! 5!
(ii) f x  tan x
2 (ii) f x  csc 4x
(iii) f x  2 tan x (iii) f x  csc x
4 where x is in radians. Use a graphing utility to graph
the tangent function and its polynomial approximation
(iv) f x  tan 2x (iv) f x  sec x
4
in the same viewing window. How do the graphs
(v) f x  tan x
2 (v) f x  csc 4x   compare?
105. APPROXIMATION Using calculus, it can be shown
that the secant function can be approximated by the
In Exercises 99 and 100, use a graphing utility to graph the
polynomial
function. Use the graph to determine the behavior of the
function as x → c. x 2 5x 4
sec x  1
␲ⴙ ␲ 2! 4!
(a) x →
2as x approaches from the right
2  where x is in radians. Use a graphing utility to graph
␲ ⴚ ␲ the secant function and its polynomial approximation
2 
(b) x → as x approaches from the left in the same viewing window. How do the graphs
2
compare?
␲ ⴙ ␲
2 
(c) x → ⴚ as x approaches ⴚ from the right 106. PATTERN RECOGNITION
2
(a) Use a graphing utility to graph each function.
␲ ⴚ ␲
2 
(d) x → ⴚ as x approaches ⴚ from the left
 
2 4 1
y1  sin  x sin 3 x
 3
99. f x  tan x 100. f x  sec x
 
4 1 1
y2  sin  x sin 3 x sin 5 x
In Exercises 101 and 102, use a graphing utility to graph the  3 5
function. Use the graph to determine the behavior of the (b) Identify the pattern started in part (a) and find a
function as x → c. function y3 that continues the pattern one more
(a) As x → 0ⴙ, the value of f x → . term. Use a graphing utility to graph y3.
(b) As x → 0ⴚ, the value of f x → . (c) The graphs in parts (a) and (b) approximate the
As x → ␲ⴙ, the value of f x → .
periodic function in the figure. Find a function y4
(c)
that is a better approximation.
(d) As x → ␲ ⴚ, the value of f x → .
y
101. f x  cot x 102. f x  csc x
1
103. THINK ABOUT IT Consider the function given by
f x  x  cos x.
(a) Use a graphing utility to graph the function and x
3
verify that there exists a zero between 0 and 1. Use
the graph to approximate the zero.