A sine graph is the graphical representation of a sinusoidal function, which is of the form y = A sin (Bx + C). Here, "A" is the amplitude, which is half the distance from the peak to the trough; 2 pi divided by "B" is the period; and "C" is the phase shift, which is the sine graph's starting point relative to the origin. If "C" is zero, the graph starts at the origin. A sine graph repeats along the x-axis, and each cycle of this repetition represents its period. The period of a sine graph is always a multiple of 2 pi, which is a measure of angles, and 1 pi is approximately 3.14.
Instructions
1. Pick any x-axis intercept of the sine graph. This is the starting point of one cycle of the sine graph.
2. Skip the first x-axis intercept after the starting point. This is the halfway point of the cycle.
3. Determine the period of the sine graph. The second x-axis intercept after the starting point represents the end of one sine graph cycle. The difference or distance between the starting point and the second x-axis intercept is the period of the sine graph.
4. Find the period from a sinusoidal equation. Divide 2 pi by the coefficient of the "x" variable. For example, if the equation is y = sin 2x, then the period is pi (2 pi / 2). Note that the period determined from the graph and from the equation will be identical.
Tags: sine graph, starting point, x-axis intercept, after starting, after starting point
