8-5 Circular Function Graphs

Unit 8 Trigonometric and Circular Functions

Concepts and Objectives

Graphs of other circular functions (Obj. #30)

Graph the tangent and cotangent functions

Graph the secant function

Graph the cosecant function

Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

Recall that tan s = y . Because x can be 0, the function

x
will be undefined whenever x = 0, which occurs when
π 3π
s= , , etc.
2 2

Therefore, the function y = tan x has vertical asymptotes
at these values. This means that the period of the
function is π.
Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

Consider a table for y = tan x:
x y
π
− undef.
2
π
− –1
4
0 0
π
1
4
π
undef.
2
Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

We can see the repeat as we expand the domain.
Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

The cotangent function is a shifted reflection of the
tangent:
Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

To graph y = a tan bx or y = a cot bx, with b > 0,
π

Determine the period, . To locate two adjacent
b
vertical asymptotes, solve the following for x:
π π

For y = a tan bx: bx = − and bx =
2 2

For y = a cot bx: bx = 0 and bx = π

Sketch the asymptotes.

Divide the interval into four parts (3 values of x).

Evaluate the function at each point.
Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

Example: Graph y = tan 2x

a = 1, b = 2

Period: π = π
b 2
π
Asymptotes: 2x = ±
2
π
x=±
4
Graphing Tangent and Cotangent

Example: Graph y = tan 2x
The three x-values will be at
π π
x = − , 0,
8 8
x 2x y = tan 2x
π π
− − –1
8 4
0 0 0
π π
1
8 4
Graphing Secant and Cosecant

Like the tangent, the secant and cosecant are not defined
when the denominator (cos x and sin x) are 0. The
functions, therefore, have vertical asymptotes wherever
that occurs.

Like the cosine and sine, the secant and cosecant have
periods of 2π.

We use the cosine and sine to help us position the
reciprocal functions.
Graphing Secant and Cosecant

Example: Graph y = sec x

Graph the reciprocal

function (cos x)

Sketch the vertical
asymptotes through
the x-intercepts.

Draw the U-shaped
branches at the peaks
of the graph.
Graphing Secant and Cosecant
3  π

Example: Graph y = csc  x − 
2  2
3  π

Graph y = sin  x − 
2  2

Sketch asymptotes

Draw the U-shaped
branches at the peaks of
the graph
Homework

College Algebra (brown book)

Page 620: 9-30 (×3s), 50-62 (evens)

Turn in: 12, 24, 30, 50, 60