Topic: Graphs of Trigonometric Functions
Subtopic: Combination Graphs & Harmonic Motion
Overview
A combination function means combining functions together by adding, multiplying, or composing. In this lesson we graph combination trig functions and analyze them. This can be accomplished algebraically combining coordinates x by x. This is logically interesting, but I recommend using technology to produce the graphs instead so we can concentrate on analyzing the graph without the tedium of plotting it point by point. There is a lot to discover here, including harmonic motion applications, so have your grapher at hand!
Objectives
By the end of this topic you should know and be prepared to be tested on:
- 4.5.1 Graph combinations of trig functions electronically
- 4.5.2 Determe if a combination trig function is periodic by observation of its graph
- 4.5.3 Analyze, i.e., interpret the period, intercepts, and relative extrema, trigonometric graphs that model applications in engineering, science, etc.
- 4.5.4 Understand harmonic motion and its applications as it relates to combinations of trig functions
Terminology
Define: combination trigonometric function, relative extreme points, relative extreme values, harmonic motion
Supplementary Resources
Play with harmonic motion at the Dept. of Guelph's Simply Harmonic Motion.