Understanding Sinusoidal Functions
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Sinusoidal Functions
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ScribdTranslationsNational University of the Northeast
Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology
Mathematics 2: Theory
Periodic function
We will call a periodic function one in which: f(x) = f(x+p), where p = period. Or
If so, the function repeats every period.
TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
SINE FUNCTION (APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE COSINE FUNCTION)
Generally, it is called a sinusoidal function and its graph is said to have the shape of
sine wave.
The simplest expression of the function is: y = sin x (1)
And the most general or complete of it is: y = A sin(Bx + C) + D (2)
We will call this last formula the 'general expression of the sinusoidal function'. It includes
four (4) factors, A, B, C, and D, that distinctly act as multiplicative constant and/or.
summative constant, affecting the independent variable and/or the function. If we compare this to
with its simplest expression, we see that its shape (its graph) is modified in the plane of
cartesian coordinates.
It should be clarified that the function y = sin x responds to the general expression, where: A = 1, B = 1,
C = 0 and yD = 0, considering the variation of the argument, in which the variable is located.
independent, depending on the quadrant in which it is circumscribed, its graph will be:
y = sin x
-3π/2 -π -π/2 π/2 π 3π/2 2π
-1
From this graph, we will analyze how the function varies due to the presence of the different
factors.
Chair: Mathematics 2
Professor: Ing. Jorge Isaac Molina 1 /4
National University of the Northeast
Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology
Analysis of factor D
We analyze the function: y = sin x + D and compare it with y = sin x.
ParaD = 3 → y = (sen x) + 3
-3π/2 -π -π/2 π/2 π 3π/2 2π
This factor is actually an independent term that adds to the function as a constant.
sinusoidal. It does not affect the independent variable. It also does not change its original shape (of the graph)
of the simplest sinusoidal function), but it causes the same to shift in direction
vertical in the Cartesian coordinate plane. Upward if D > 0 or downward if D < 0. If
The maximum and minimum of the function are, in absolute value, equal, and the point of origin.
(0, 0) will be a center of symmetry.
In the example, the sinusoidal function graph shifts upwards by a distance of 3.
Analysis of factor A
We analyze the function y = A sin x and compare it with y = sin x.
ParaA = 2 → y = 2 senx
4
-2π -3π/2 -π -π/2 pi/2 π 3π/2 2π
-2
-4
Chair: Mathematics 2
Professor: Ing. Jorge Isaac Molina 2 /4
National University of the Northeast
Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology
As the function y = sin x takes values of ordinate between (-1)(minimum) and 1(maximum), the
The function y = A sin x will take values between Ay(-A).
If A < 0, the order values are inverted, that is, the one that was positive will be negative and vice versa
Factor A (coefficient) cannot be equal to zero because in that case it would nullify the function.
sinusoidal. Therefore:
One of the conditions of the sinusoidal function is that A ≠ 0.
The constant A is called the amplitude of the sinusoidal function. The absolute value of A (|A|) is the
half of the total height of the wave. In Physics, the value 2|A|, which is the difference between the maximum
and the minimum is called total wave amplitude.
In the example, the graph of the sinusoidal function increased the height of the wave to 2.
Analysis of factor C
The argument of the sinusoidal function is the value (Bx + C) and is called the phase of the function.
We analyze the function: y = sin(x + C) and compare it with y = sin x.
C=→ ( )
2
x
-2π -3π/2 -π -π/2 pi/2 π 3π/2 2π
-1
-2
When the independent variable x takes the value zero (x = 0), that is the starting point of the
function (theoretically, also for any function) the argument results in equal to C, which is a
summative constant, so the y-intercept will be sin C. Observing the graph of the
we will see that it has shifted to the left by a distance equal to C. If C < 0 the
the displacement would be to the right. This constant C it is called initial phase or also
phase constant.
In the example, the sinusoidal function is shifted horizontally to the left a distance
equal to .
Chair: Mathematics 2
Professor: Ing. Jorge Isaac Molina 3 /4
National University of the Northeast
Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology
Analysis of factor B
We analyze the function y = sin Bx and compare it with y = sin x.
The coefficient B that multiplies the independent variable cannot be equal to zero because in
this case would nullify the term of the argument that contains the independent variable turning
to the sinusoidal function in a constant function. Therefore, another of the conditions of this
the function is that B ≠ 0.
B = 2 → y = sin 2x
2
x
-3π/2 -π -π/2 pi/2 π 3π/2 2π
-1
-2
The function y = sin x has a period equal to 2π, which is equivalent to one cycle (one complete turn)
which in sexagesimal degrees is equal to 360°):p 2π
What is a periodic function:
y = sin (Bx + C) = sin [B(x+p) + C] = sin (Bx + Bp + C)
From this last expression, we can establish that the periodic difference of the sinusoidal function
what is equivalent to a cycle is:
We call this expression the period of the sinusoidal function. The period is also referred to as
wavelength, as it is the length that measures a complete wave along the x-axis.
Analyzing the formula ofpwe see that it is the original wave, equal to 2π, which has shrunk B
times.
In the example, the wave of the sinusoidal function was shrunk to half, that is, the wavelength,
before equal to 2π, it shrank to π.
The inverse value of the period is the frequency and reflects the number of times the wave repeats in
the length of 2π:
The value is called pulsation and is understood as the number of times the wave repeats.
modified when the independent variable completes a cycle, that is 2π.
Chair: Mathematics 2
Professor: Eng. Jorge Isaac Molina 4 /4