Modelling Temperature
Helsinki, Finland
Average Monthly Temperatures:
January: -5°C
February: -6°C
March: -2°C
April: 4°C
May: 10°C
June: 14°C
July: 17°C
August: 15°C
September: 10°C
October: 6°C
November: 0°C
December: -4°C
Determining the Sine and Cosine Function:
Using the given data, I approximate Helsinki’s temperature cycle using sinusoidal functions. The
standard sinusoidal function is:
T(t) = A sin (Bt + C) + D
Step 1: Amplitude (A)
Amplitude is calculated as half the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures:
A = 17 – (-6) = 23 =
11.5
2 2
Step 2: Period and Frequency (B)
Since temperature cycles annually (12 months), the period is 12:
B = 360 = 30°
12
Step 3: Vertical Shift (D)
The vertical shift is the average of the maximum and minimum values:
D = 17 + (-6) = 11 = 5.5
2 2
Step 4: Phase Shift (C)
To align the sine function with the data, we consider that the coldest month (February, -6°C)
corresponds to a phase shift of -90°:
T (t) = 11.5 sin (30 ° t - 90°) + 5.5
For the cosine function, since cosine starts at a maximum, the equation is:
T (t) = 11.5 cos (30° t) + 5.5
Desmos Graph and Reflection
Graphing the data and the trigonometric functions in Desmos reveals that the sinusoidal
functions align well with Helsinki’s temperature trend. The sine function best represents the
pattern of temperature changes throughout the year. The cosine function is a reasonable
alternative but may require an additional phase shift for improved accuracy.
Observations on Accuracy:
1. General Fit: The sine function closely follows actual temperature fluctuations.
2. Minor Deviations: There are slight inaccuracies in transitional months due to real-world
factors such as sudden temperature shifts, regional climate variations, or weather
anomalies.
3. Model Adjustments: Fine-tuning phase shifts or using regression-based techniques may
further improve accuracy.
Comparison with Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa’s Average Monthly Temperatures:
January: -10°C
February: -9°C
March: -3°C
April: 6°C
May: 13°C
June: 19°C
July: 21°C
August: 20°C
September: 15°C
October: 8°C
November: 0°C
December: -8°C
Both cities experience seasonal variations due to their latitude. However, Ottawa has a larger
temperature range than Helsinki, affecting the function parameters:
1. Amplitude Difference: Ottawa’s temperature range (21°C to -10°C) results in a greater
amplitude than Helsinki.
2. Vertical Shift: Ottawa’s lower average temperature affects the D value in its model.
3. Phase Shift: Both cities share a similar pattern, with coldest months in January-February
and warmest in July.
4. Refinements: Incorporating more frequent data points (weekly or daily) could improve
accuracy.
Conclusion
The sine and cosine models effectively capture seasonal variations in Helsinki and Ottawa.
However, real-world climate factors introduce minor inaccuracies. Ottawa’s higher temperature
amplitude and lower vertical shift distinguish it from Helsinki’s milder fluctuations. Future
refinements using regression techniques or more granular data could enhance the accuracy of
these models.