Jay Abramson

Learning Objectives

In this section, you will:

Analyze the graph of y=tan x.
Graph variations of y=tan x.
Analyze the graphs of y=sec x and y=csc x.
Graph variations of y=sec x and y=csc x.
Analyze the graph of y=cot x.
Graph variations of y=cot x.

We know the tangent function can be used to find distances, such as the height of a building, mountain, or flagpole. But what if we want to measure repeated occurrences of distance? Imagine, for example, a police car parked next to a warehouse. The rotating light from the police car would travel across the wall of the warehouse in regular intervals. If the input is time, the output would be the distance the beam of light travels. The beam of light would repeat the distance at regular intervals. The tangent function can be used to approximate this distance. Asymptotes would be needed to illustrate the repeated cycles when the beam runs parallel to the wall because, seemingly, the beam of light could appear to extend forever. The graph of the tangent function would clearly illustrate the repeated intervals. In this section, we will explore the graphs of the tangent and other trigonometric functions.

Analyzing the Graph of y = tan x

We will begin with the graph of the tangent function, plotting points as we did for the sine and cosine functions. Recall that

\tan x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x}

The period of the tangent function is $π$ because the graph repeats itself on intervals of $k π$ where $k$ is a constant. If we graph the tangent function on $- \frac{π}{2}$ to $\frac{π}{2},$ we can see the behavior of the graph on one complete cycle. If we look at any larger interval, we will see that the characteristics of the graph repeat.

We can determine whether tangent is an odd or even function by using the definition of tangent.

\begin{array}{l} \tan (- x) = \frac{\sin (- x)}{\cos (- x)} & \begin{matrix}  \end{matrix} Definition of tangent . \\ = \frac{- \sin x}{\cos x} & \begin{matrix}  \end{matrix} Sine is an odd function, cosine is even . \\ = - \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} & \begin{matrix}  \end{matrix} The quotient of an odd and an even function is odd . \\ = - \tan x & \begin{matrix}  \end{matrix} Definition of tangent . \end{array}

Therefore, tangent is an odd function. We can further analyze the graphical behavior of the tangent function by looking at values for some of the special angles, as listed in Table 1.

$x$	$- \frac{π}{2}$	$- \frac{π}{3}$	$- \frac{π}{4}$	$- \frac{π}{6}$	0	$\frac{π}{6}$	$\frac{π}{4}$	$\frac{π}{3}$	$\frac{π}{2}$
$\tan (x)$	undefined	$- \sqrt{3}$	–1	$- \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}$	0	$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}$	1	$\sqrt{3}$	undefined

Table 1

These points will help us draw our graph, but we need to determine how the graph behaves where it is undefined. If we look more closely at values when $\frac{π}{3} < x < \frac{π}{2},$ we can use a table to look for a trend. Because $\frac{π}{3} \approx 1.05$ and $\frac{π}{2} \approx 1.57,$ we will evaluate $x$ at radian measures $1.05 < x < 1.57$ as shown in Table 2.

$x$	1.3	1.5	1.55	1.56
$\tan x$	3.6	14.1	48.1	92.6

Table 2

As $x$ approaches $\frac{π}{2},$ the outputs of the function get larger and larger. Because $y = \tan x$ is an odd function, we see the corresponding table of negative values in Table 3.

$x$	−1.3	−1.5	−1.55	−1.56
$\tan x$	−3.6	−14.1	−48.1	−92.6

Table 3

We can see that, as $x$ approaches $- \frac{π}{2},$ the outputs get smaller and smaller. Remember that there are some values of $x$ for which $\cos x = 0.$ For example, $\cos (\frac{π}{2}) = 0$ and $\cos (\frac{3 π}{2}) = 0.$ At these values, the tangent function is undefined, so the graph of $y = \tan x$ has discontinuities at $x = \frac{π}{2} and \frac{3 π}{2} .$ At these values, the graph of the tangent has vertical asymptotes. Figure 1 represents the graph of $y = \tan x .$ The tangent is positive from 0 to $\frac{π}{2}$ and from $π$ to $\frac{3 π}{2},$ corresponding to quadrants I and III of the unit circle.

A graph of y=tangent of x. Asymptotes at -pi over 2 and pi over 2.

Figure 1 Graph of the tangent function

Graphing Variations of y = tan x

As with the sine and cosine functions, the tangent function can be described by a general equation.

y = A \tan (B x)

We can identify horizontal and vertical stretches and compressions using values of $A$ and $B .$ The horizontal stretch can typically be determined from the period of the graph. With tangent graphs, it is often necessary to determine a vertical stretch using a point on the graph.

Because there are no maximum or minimum values of a tangent function, the term amplitude cannot be interpreted as it is for the sine and cosine functions. Instead, we will use the phrase stretching/compressing factor when referring to the constant $A .$

Features of the Graph of y = Atan(Bx)

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $P = \frac{π}{| B |} .$
The domain is all real numbers $x,$ where $x \neq \frac{π}{2 | B |} + \frac{π}{| B |} k$ such that $k$ is an integer.
The range is $(−∞, \infty) .$
The asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{π}{2 | B |} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
$y = A \tan (B x)$ is an odd function.

Graphing One Period of a Stretched or Compressed Tangent Function

We can use what we know about the properties of the tangent function to quickly sketch a graph of any stretched and/or compressed tangent function of the form $f (x) = A \tan (B x) .$ We focus on a single period of the function including the origin, because the periodic property enables us to extend the graph to the rest of the function’s domain if we wish. Our limited domain is then the interval $(- \frac{P}{2}, \frac{P}{2})$ and the graph has vertical asymptotes at $\pm \frac{P}{2}$ where $P = \frac{π}{B} .$ On $(- \frac{π}{2}, \frac{π}{2}),$ the graph will come up from the left asymptote at $x = - \frac{π}{2},$ cross through the origin, and continue to increase as it approaches the right asymptote at $x = \frac{π}{2} .$ To make the function approach the asymptotes at the correct rate, we also need to set the vertical scale by actually evaluating the function for at least one point that the graph will pass through. For example, we can use

f (\frac{P}{4}) = A \tan (B \frac{P}{4}) = A \tan (B \frac{π}{4 B}) = A

because $\tan (\frac{π}{4}) = 1.$

How To

Given the function $f (x) = A \tan (B x),$ graph one period.

Identify the stretching factor, $| A | .$
Identify $B$ and determine the period, $P = \frac{π}{| B |} .$
Draw vertical asymptotes at $x = - \frac{P}{2}$ and $x = \frac{P}{2} .$
For $A B > 0,$ the graph approaches the left asymptote at negative output values and the right asymptote at positive output values (reverse for $A B < 0$ ).
Plot reference points at $(\frac{P}{4}, A),$ $(0, 0),$ and $(- \frac{P}{4},- A),$ and draw the graph through these points.

Example 1

Sketching a Compressed Tangent

Sketch a graph of one period of the function $y = 0.5 \tan (\frac{π}{2} x) .$

Solution

First, we identify $A$ and $B .$

An illustration of equations showing that A is the coefficient of tangent and B is the coefficient of x, which is within the tangent function.

Because $A = 0.5$ and $B = \frac{π}{2},$ we can find the stretching/compressing factor and period. The period is $\frac{π}{\frac{π}{2}} = 2,$ so the asymptotes are at $x = \pm 1.$ At a quarter period from the origin, we have

\begin{array}{l} f (0.5) = 0.5 \tan (\frac{0.5 π}{2}) \\ = 0.5 \tan (\frac{π}{4}) \\ = 0.5 \end{array}

This means the curve must pass through the points $(0.5, 0.5),$ $(0, 0),$ and $(- 0.5, −0.5) .$ The only inflection point is at the origin. Figure 2 shows the graph of one period of the function.

A graph of one period of a modified tangent function, with asymptotes at x=-1 and x=1.

Figure 2

Try It #1

Sketch a graph of $f (x) = 3 \tan (\frac{π}{6} x) .$

Graphing One Period of a Shifted Tangent Function

Now that we can graph a tangent function that is stretched or compressed, we will add a vertical and/or horizontal (or phase) shift. In this case, we add $C$ and $D$ to the general form of the tangent function.

f (x) = A \tan (B x - C) + D

The graph of a transformed tangent function is different from the basic tangent function $\tan x$ in several ways:

Features of the Graph of y = Atan(Bx−C)+D

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $\frac{π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
The range is $(−∞, \infty) .$
The vertical asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.
There is no amplitude.
$y = A \tan (B x - C) + D$ is an odd function because it is the quotient of odd and even functions (sine and cosine respectively).

How To

Given the function $y = A \tan (B x - C) + D,$ sketch the graph of one period.

Express the function given in the form $y = A \tan (B x - C) + D .$
Identify the stretching/compressing factor, $| A | .$
Identify $B$ and determine the period, $P = \frac{π}{| B |} .$
Identify $C$ and determine the phase shift, $\frac{C}{B} .$
Draw the graph of $y = A \tan (B x)$ shifted to the right by $\frac{C}{B}$ and up by $D .$
Sketch the vertical asymptotes, which occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.
Plot any three reference points and draw the graph through these points.

Example 2

Graphing One Period of a Shifted Tangent Function

Graph one period of the function $y = −2 \tan (π x + π) −1.$

Solution

Step 1. The function is already written in the form $y = A \tan (B x - C) + D .$
Step 2. $A = −2,$ so the stretching factor is $| A | = 2.$
Step 3. $B = π,$ so the period is $P = \frac{π}{| B |} = \frac{π}{π} = 1.$
Step 4. $C = - π,$ so the phase shift is $\frac{C}{B} = \frac{- π}{π} = −1.$
Step 5-7. The asymptotes are at $x = - \frac{3}{2}$ and $x = - \frac{1}{2}$ and the three recommended reference points are $(−1.25, 1),$ $(−1, −1),$ and $(−0.75, −3) .$ The graph is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3

Analysis

Note that this is a decreasing function because $A < 0.$

Try It #2

How would the graph in Example 2 look different if we made $A = 2$ instead of $−2 ?$

How To

Given the graph of a tangent function, identify horizontal and vertical stretches.

Find the period $P$ from the spacing between successive vertical asymptotes or x-intercepts.
Write $f (x) = A \tan (\frac{π}{P} x) .$
Determine a convenient point $(x, f (x))$ on the given graph and use it to determine $A .$

Example 3

Identifying the Graph of a Stretched Tangent

Find a formula for the function graphed in Figure 4.

A graph of two periods of a modified tangent function, with asymptotes at x=-4 and x=4.

Figure 4 A stretched tangent function

Solution

The graph has the shape of a tangent function.

Step 1. One cycle extends from –4 to 4, so the period is $P = 8.$ Since $P = \frac{π}{| B |},$ we have $B = \frac{π}{P} = \frac{π}{8} .$
Step 2. The equation must have the form $f (x) = A \tan (\frac{π}{8} x) .$
Step 3. To find the vertical stretch $A,$ we can use the point $(2, 2) .$
$2 = A \tan (\frac{π}{8} \cdot 2) = A \tan (\frac{π}{4})$

Because $\tan (\frac{π}{4}) = 1,$ $A = 2.$

This function would have a formula $f (x) = 2 \tan (\frac{π}{8} x) .$

Try It #3

Find a formula for the function in Figure 5.

A graph of four periods of a modified tangent function, Vertical asymptotes at -3pi/4, -pi/4, pi/4, and 3pi/4.

Figure 5

Analyzing the Graphs of y = sec x and y = cscx

The secant was defined by the reciprocal identity $\sec x = \frac{1}{\cos x} .$ Notice that the function is undefined when the cosine is 0, leading to vertical asymptotes at $\frac{π}{2},$ $\frac{3 π}{2},$ etc. Because the cosine is never more than 1 in absolute value, the secant, being the reciprocal, will never be less than 1 in absolute value.

We can graph $y = \sec x$ by observing the graph of the cosine function because these two functions are reciprocals of one another. See Figure 6. The graph of the cosine is shown as a dashed orange wave so we can see the relationship. Where the graph of the cosine function decreases, the graph of the secant function increases. Where the graph of the cosine function increases, the graph of the secant function decreases. When the cosine function is zero, the secant is undefined.

The secant graph has vertical asymptotes at each value of $x$ where the cosine graph crosses the x-axis; we show these in the graph below with dashed vertical lines, but will not show all the asymptotes explicitly on all later graphs involving the secant and cosecant.

Note that, because cosine is an even function, secant is also an even function. That is, $\sec (- x) = \sec x .$

A graph of cosine of x and secant of x. Asymptotes for secant of x shown at -3pi/2, -pi/2, pi/2, and 3pi/2.

Figure 6 Graph of the secant function,

f (x) = \sec x = \frac{1}{\cos x}

As we did for the tangent function, we will again refer to the constant $| A |$ as the stretching factor, not the amplitude.

Features of the Graph of y = Asec(Bx)

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $\frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.
The range is $(- \infty, - | A |] \cup [| A |, \infty) .$
The vertical asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.
There is no amplitude.
$y = A \sec (B x)$ is an even function because cosine is an even function.

Similar to the secant, the cosecant is defined by the reciprocal identity $\csc x = \frac{1}{\sin x} .$ Notice that the function is undefined when the sine is 0, leading to a vertical asymptote in the graph at $0,$ $π,$ etc. Since the sine is never more than 1 in absolute value, the cosecant, being the reciprocal, will never be less than 1 in absolute value.

We can graph $y = \csc x$ by observing the graph of the sine function because these two functions are reciprocals of one another. See Figure 7. The graph of sine is shown as a dashed orange wave so we can see the relationship. Where the graph of the sine function decreases, the graph of the cosecant function increases. Where the graph of the sine function increases, the graph of the cosecant function decreases.

The cosecant graph has vertical asymptotes at each value of $x$ where the sine graph crosses the x-axis; we show these in the graph below with dashed vertical lines.

Note that, since sine is an odd function, the cosecant function is also an odd function. That is, $\csc (- x) = −csc x .$

The graph of cosecant, which is shown in Figure 7, is similar to the graph of secant.

A graph of cosecant of x and sin of x. Five vertical asymptotes shown at multiples of pi.

Figure 7 The graph of the cosecant function,

f (x) = \csc x = \frac{1}{\sin x}

Features of the Graph of y = Acsc(Bx)

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $\frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
The range is $(- \infty, - | A |] \cup [| A |, \infty) .$
The asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
$y = A \csc (B x)$ is an odd function because sine is an odd function.

Graphing Variations of y = sec x and y= csc x

For shifted, compressed, and/or stretched versions of the secant and cosecant functions, we can follow similar methods to those we used for tangent and cotangent. That is, we locate the vertical asymptotes and also evaluate the functions for a few points (specifically the local extrema). If we want to graph only a single period, we can choose the interval for the period in more than one way. The procedure for secant is very similar, because the cofunction identity means that the secant graph is the same as the cosecant graph shifted half a period to the left. Vertical and phase shifts may be applied to the cosecant function in the same way as for the secant and other functions.The equations become the following.

y = A \sec (B x - C) + D

y = A \csc (B x - C) + D

Features of the Graph of y = Asec(Bx−C)+D

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $\frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.
The range is $(- \infty, - | A | + D] \cup [| A | + D, \infty) .$
The vertical asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.
There is no amplitude.
$y = A \sec (B x - C) + D$ is an even function because cosine is an even function.

Features of the Graph of y = Acsc(Bx−C)+D

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $\frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
The range is $(- \infty, - | A | + D] \cup [| A | + D, \infty) .$
The vertical asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
There is no amplitude.
$y = A \csc (B x - C) + D$ is an odd function because sine is an odd function.

How To

Given a function of the form $y = A \sec (B x),$ graph one period.

Express the function given in the form $y = A \sec (B x) .$
Identify the stretching/compressing factor, $| A | .$
Identify $B$ and determine the period, $P = \frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
Sketch the graph of $y = A \cos (B x) .$
Use the reciprocal relationship between $y = \cos x$ and $y = \sec x$ to draw the graph of $y = A \sec (B x) .$
Sketch the asymptotes.
Plot any two reference points and draw the graph through these points.

Example 4

Graphing a Variation of the Secant Function

Graph one period of $f (x) = 2.5 \sec (0.4 x) .$

Solution

Step 1. The given function is already written in the general form, $y = A \sec (B x) .$
Step 2. $A = 2.5$ so the stretching factor is $2 .5 .$
Step 3. $B = 0.4$ so $P = \frac{2 π}{0.4} = 5 π .$ The period is $5 π$ units.
Step 4. Sketch the graph of the function $g (x) = 2.5 \cos (0.4 x) .$
Step 5. Use the reciprocal relationship of the cosine and secant functions to draw the cosecant function.
Steps 6–7. Sketch two asymptotes at $x = 1.25 π$ and $x = 3.75 π .$ We can use two reference points, the local minimum at $(0, 2.5)$ and the local maximum at $(2.5 π, −2.5) .$ Figure 8 shows the graph.

Figure 8

Try It #4

Graph one period of $f (x) = - 2.5 \sec (0.4 x) .$

Q&A

Do the vertical shift and stretch/compression affect the secant’s range?

Yes. The range of $f (x) = A \sec (B x - C) + D$ is $(- \infty, - | A | + D] \cup [| A | + D, \infty) .$

How To

Given a function of the form $f (x) = A \sec (B x - C) + D,$ graph one period.

Express the function given in the form $y = A \sec (B x - C) + D .$
Identify the stretching/compressing factor, $| A | .$
Identify $B$ and determine the period, $\frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
Identify $C$ and determine the phase shift, $\frac{C}{B} .$
Draw the graph of $y = A \sec (B x)$ , but shift it to the right by $\frac{C}{B}$ and up by $D .$
Sketch the vertical asymptotes, which occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{2 | B |} k,$ where $k$ is an odd integer.

Example 5

Graphing a Variation of the Secant Function

Graph one period of $y = 4 \sec (\frac{π}{3} x - \frac{π}{2}) + 1.$

Solution

Step 1. Express the function given in the form $y = 4 \sec (\frac{π}{3} x - \frac{π}{2}) + 1.$
Step 2. The stretching/compressing factor is $| A | = 4.$
Step 3. The period is
$\begin{array}{l} \frac{2 π}{| B |} = \frac{2 π}{\frac{π}{3}} \\ = \frac{2 π}{1} \cdot \frac{3}{π} \\ = 6 \end{array}$
Step 4. The phase shift is
$\begin{array}{l} \frac{C}{B} = \frac{\frac{π}{2}}{\frac{π}{3}} \\ = \frac{π}{2} \cdot \frac{3}{π} \\ = 1.5 \end{array}$
Step 5. Draw the graph of $y = A \sec (B x),$ but shift it to the right by $\frac{C}{B} = 1.5$ and up by $D = 6.$
Step 6. Sketch the vertical asymptotes, which occur at $x = 0, x = 3,$ and $x = 6.$ There is a local minimum at $(1.5, 5)$ and a local maximum at $(4.5, - 3) .$ Figure 9 shows the graph.

Figure 9

Try It #5

Graph one period of $f (x) = - 6 \sec (4 x + 2) - 8.$

Q&A

The domain of $\csc x$ was given to be all $x$ such that $x \neq k π$ for any integer $k .$ Would the domain of $y = A \csc (B x - C) + D be x \neq \frac{C + k π}{B} ?$

Yes. The excluded points of the domain follow the vertical asymptotes. Their locations show the horizontal shift and compression or expansion implied by the transformation to the original function’s input.

How To

Given a function of the form $y = A \csc (B x),$ graph one period.

Express the function given in the form $y = A \csc (B x) .$
$| A | .$
Identify $B$ and determine the period, $P = \frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
Draw the graph of $y = A \sin (B x) .$
Use the reciprocal relationship between $y = \sin x$ and $y = \csc x$ to draw the graph of $y = A \csc (B x) .$
Sketch the asymptotes.
Plot any two reference points and draw the graph through these points.

Example 6

Graphing a Variation of the Cosecant Function

Graph one period of $f (x) = −3 \csc (4 x) .$

Solution

Step 1. The given function is already written in the general form, $y = A \csc (B x) .$
Step 2. $| A | = | - 3 | = 3,$ so the stretching factor is 3.
Step 3. $B = 4,$ so $P = \frac{2 π}{4} = \frac{π}{2} .$ The period is $\frac{π}{2}$ units.
Step 4. Sketch the graph of the function $g (x) = −3 \sin (4 x) .$
Step 5. Use the reciprocal relationship of the sine and cosecant functions to draw the cosecant function.
Steps 6–7. Sketch three asymptotes at $x = 0, x = \frac{π}{4},$ and $x = \frac{π}{2} .$ We can use two reference points, the local maximum at $(\frac{π}{8}, −3)$ and the local minimum at $(\frac{3 π}{8}, 3) .$ Figure 10 shows the graph.

Figure 10

Try It #6

Graph one period of $f (x) = 0.5 \csc (2 x) .$

How To

Given a function of the form $f (x) = A \csc (B x - C) + D,$ graph one period.

Express the function given in the form $y = A \csc (B x - C) + D .$
Identify the stretching/compressing factor, $| A | .$
Identify $B$ and determine the period, $\frac{2 π}{| B |} .$
Identify $C$ and determine the phase shift, $\frac{C}{B} .$
Draw the graph of $y = A \csc (B x)$ but shift it to the right by $\frac{C}{B}$ and up by $D .$
Sketch the vertical asymptotes, which occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.

Example 7

Graphing a Vertically Stretched, Horizontally Compressed, and Vertically Shifted Cosecant

Sketch a graph of $y = 2 \csc (\frac{π}{2} x) + 1.$ What are the domain and range of this function?

Solution

Step 1. Express the function given in the form $y = 2 \csc (\frac{π}{2} x) + 1.$
Step 2. Identify the stretching/compressing factor, $| A | = 2.$
Step 3. The period is $\frac{2 π}{| B |} = \frac{2 π}{\frac{π}{2}} = \frac{2 π}{1} \cdot \frac{2}{π} = 4.$
Step 4. The phase shift is $\frac{0}{\frac{π}{2}} = 0.$
Step 5. Draw the graph of $y = A \csc (B x)$ but shift it up $D = 1.$
Step 6. Sketch the vertical asymptotes, which occur at $x = 0, x = 2, x = 4.$

The graph for this function is shown in Figure 11.

A graph of 3 periods of a modified cosecant function, with 3 vertical asymptotes, and a dotted sinusoidal function that has local maximums where the cosecant function has local minimums and local minimums where the cosecant function has local maximums.

Figure 11 A transformed cosecant function

Analysis

The vertical asymptotes shown on the graph mark off one period of the function, and the local extrema in this interval are shown by dots. Notice how the graph of the transformed cosecant relates to the graph of $f (x) = 2 \sin (\frac{π}{2} x) + 1,$ shown as the orange dashed wave.

Try It #7

Given the graph of $f (x) = 2 \cos (\frac{π}{2} x) + 1$ shown in Figure 12, sketch the graph of $g (x) = 2 \sec (\frac{π}{2} x) + 1$ on the same axes.

A graph of two periods of a modified cosine function. Range is [-1,3], graphed from x=-4 to x=4.

Figure 12

Analyzing the Graph of y = cot x

The last trigonometric function we need to explore is cotangent. The cotangent is defined by the reciprocal identity $\cot x = \frac{1}{\tan x} .$ Notice that the function is undefined when the tangent function is 0, leading to a vertical asymptote in the graph at $0, π,$ etc. Since the output of the tangent function is all real numbers, the output of the cotangent function is also all real numbers.

We can graph $y = \cot x$ by observing the graph of the tangent function because these two functions are reciprocals of one another. See Figure 13. Where the graph of the tangent function decreases, the graph of the cotangent function increases. Where the graph of the tangent function increases, the graph of the cotangent function decreases.

The cotangent graph has vertical asymptotes at each value of $x$ where $\tan x = 0;$ we show these in the graph below with dashed lines. Since the cotangent is the reciprocal of the tangent, $\cot x$ has vertical asymptotes at all values of $x$ where $\tan x = 0,$ and $\cot x = 0$ at all values of $x$ where $\tan x$ has its vertical asymptotes.

A graph of cotangent of x, with vertical asymptotes at multiples of pi.

Figure 13 The cotangent function

Features of the Graph of y = Acot(Bx)

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $P = \frac{π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
The range is $(- \infty, \infty) .$
The asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
$y = A \cot (B x)$ is an odd function.

Graphing Variations of y = cot x

We can transform the graph of the cotangent in much the same way as we did for the tangent. The equation becomes the following.

y = A \cot (B x - C) + D

Features of the Graph of y = Acot(Bx−C)+D

The stretching factor is $| A | .$
The period is $\frac{π}{| B |} .$
The domain is $x \neq \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
The range is $(−∞, \infty) .$
The vertical asymptotes occur at $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
There is no amplitude.
$y = A \cot (B x)$ is an odd function because it is the quotient of even and odd functions (cosine and sine, respectively)

How To

Given a modified cotangent function of the form $f (x) = A \cot (B x),$ graph one period.

Express the function in the form $f (x) = A \cot (B x) .$
Identify the stretching factor, $| A | .$
Identify the period, $P = \frac{π}{| B |} .$
Draw the graph of $y = A \tan (B x) .$
Plot any two reference points.
Use the reciprocal relationship between tangent and cotangent to draw the graph of $y = A \cot (B x) .$
Sketch the asymptotes.

Example 8

Graphing Variations of the Cotangent Function

Determine the stretching factor, period, and phase shift of $y = 3 \cot (4 x),$ and then sketch a graph.

Solution

Step 1. Expressing the function in the form $f (x) = A \cot (B x)$ gives $f (x) = 3 \cot (4 x) .$
Step 2. The stretching factor is $| A | = 3.$
Step 3. The period is $P = \frac{π}{4} .$
Step 4. Sketch the graph of $y = 3 \tan (4 x) .$
Step 5. Plot two reference points. Two such points are $(\frac{π}{16}, 3)$ and $(\frac{3 π}{16}, −3) .$
Step 6. Use the reciprocal relationship to draw $y = 3 \cot (4 x) .$
Step 7. Sketch the asymptotes, $x = 0, x = \frac{π}{4} .$

The blue graph in Figure 14 shows $y = 3 \tan (4 x)$ and the green graph shows $y = 3 \cot (4 x) .$

A graph of two periods of a modified tangent function and a modified cotangent function. Vertical asymptotes at x=-pi/4 and pi/4.

Figure 14

How To

Given a modified cotangent function of the form $f (x) = A \cot (B x - C) + D,$ graph one period.

Express the function in the form $f (x) = A \cot (B x - C) + D .$
Identify the stretching factor, $| A | .$
Identify the period, $P = \frac{π}{| B |} .$
Identify the phase shift, $\frac{C}{B} .$
Draw the graph of $y = A \tan (B x)$ shifted to the right by $\frac{C}{B}$ and up by $D .$
Sketch the asymptotes $x = \frac{C}{B} + \frac{π}{| B |} k,$ where $k$ is an integer.
Plot any three reference points and draw the graph through these points.

Example 9

Graphing a Modified Cotangent

Sketch a graph of one period of the function $f (x) = 4 \cot (\frac{π}{8} x - \frac{π}{2}) - 2.$

Solution

Step 1. The function is already written in the general form $f (x) = A \cot (B x - C) + D .$
Step 2. $A = 4,$ so the stretching factor is 4.
Step 3. $B = \frac{π}{8},$ so the period is $P = \frac{π}{| B |} = \frac{π}{\frac{π}{8}} = 8.$
Step 4. $C = \frac{π}{2},$ so the phase shift is $\frac{C}{B} = \frac{\frac{π}{2}}{\frac{π}{8}} = 4.$
Step 5. We draw $f (x) = 4 \tan (\frac{π}{8} x - \frac{π}{2}) - 2.$
Step 6-7. Three points we can use to guide the graph are $(6, 2), (8, - 2),$ and $(10, - 6) .$ We use the reciprocal relationship of tangent and cotangent to draw $f (x) = 4 \cot (\frac{π}{8} x - \frac{π}{2}) - 2.$
Step 8. The vertical asymptotes are $x = 4$ and $x = 12.$

The graph is shown in Figure 15.

A graph of one period of a modified cotangent function. Vertical asymptotes at x=4 and x=12.

Figure 15 One period of a modified cotangent function

Using the Graphs of Trigonometric Functions to Solve Real-World Problems

Many real-world scenarios represent periodic functions and may be modeled by trigonometric functions. As an example, let’s return to the scenario from the section opener. Have you ever observed the beam formed by the rotating light on a police car and wondered about the movement of the light beam itself across the wall? The periodic behavior of the distance the light shines as a function of time is obvious, but how do we determine the distance? We can use the tangent function.

Example 10

Using Trigonometric Functions to Solve Real-World Scenarios

Suppose the function $y = 5 \tan (\frac{π}{4} t)$ marks the distance in the movement of a light beam from the top of a police car across a wall where $t$ is the time in seconds and $y$ is the distance in feet from a point on the wall directly across from the police car.

ⓐ Find and interpret the stretching factor and period.
ⓑ Graph on the interval $[0, 5] .$
ⓒ Evaluate $f (1)$ and discuss the function’s value at that input.

Solution

ⓐ We know from the general form of $y = A \tan (B t)$ that $| A |$ is the stretching factor and $\frac{π}{B}$ is the period.

Figure 16

We see that the stretching factor is 5. This means that the beam of light will have moved 5 ft after half the period.

The period is $\frac{π}{\frac{π}{4}} = \frac{π}{1} \cdot \frac{4}{π} = 4.$ This means that every 4 seconds, the beam of light sweeps the wall. The distance from the spot across from the police car grows larger as the police car approaches.
ⓑ To graph the function, we draw an asymptote at $t = 2$ and use the stretching factor and period. See Figure 17

Figure 17
ⓒ period: $f (1) = 5 \tan (\frac{π}{4} (1)) = 5 (1) = 5;$ after 1 second, the beam of has moved 5 ft from the spot across from the police car.

Media

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with graphs of other trigonometric functions.

6.2 Section Exercises

Verbal

1.

Explain how the graph of the sine function can be used to graph $y = \csc x .$

2.

How can the graph of $y = \cos x$ be used to construct the graph of $y = \sec x ?$

3.

Explain why the period of $\tan x$ is equal to $π .$

4.

Why are there no intercepts on the graph of $y = \csc x ?$

5.

How does the period of $y = \csc x$ compare with the period of $y = \sin x ?$

Algebraic

For the following exercises, match each trigonometric function with one of the following graphs.

Figure 18

6.

$f (x) = \tan x$

7.

$f (x) = \sec x$

8.

$f (x) = \csc x$

9.

$f (x) = \cot x$

For the following exercises, find the period and horizontal shift of each of the functions.

10.

$f (x) = 2 \tan (4 x - 32)$

11.

$h (x) = 2 \sec (\frac{π}{4} (x + 1))$

12.

$m (x) = 6 \csc (\frac{π}{3} x + π)$

13.

If $\tan x = - 1.5,$ find $\tan (- x) .$

14.

If $\sec x = 2,$ find $\sec (- x) .$

15.

If $\csc x = - 5,$ find $\csc (- x) .$

16.

If $x \sin x = 2,$ find $(- x) \sin (- x) .$

For the following exercises, rewrite each expression such that the argument $x$ is positive.

17.

$\cot (- x) \cos (- x) + \sin (- x)$

18.

$\cos (- x) + \tan (- x) \sin (- x)$

Graphical

For the following exercises, sketch two periods of the graph for each of the following functions. Identify the stretching factor, period, and asymptotes.

19.

$f (x) = 2 \tan (4 x - 32)$

20.

$h (x) = 2 \sec (\frac{π}{4} (x + 1))$

21.

$m (x) = 6 \csc (\frac{π}{3} x + π)$

22.

$j (x) = \tan (\frac{π}{2} x)$

23.

$p (x) = \tan (x - \frac{π}{2})$

24.

$f (x) = 4 \tan (x)$

25.

$f (x) = \tan (x + \frac{π}{4})$

26.

$f (x) = π \tan (π x - π) - π$

27.

$f (x) = 2 \csc (x)$

28.

$f (x) = - \frac{1}{4} \csc (x)$

29.

$f (x) = 4 \sec (3 x)$

30.

$f (x) = - 3 \cot (2 x)$

31.

$f (x) = 7 \sec (5 x)$

32.

$f (x) = \frac{9}{10} \csc (π x)$

33.

$f (x) = 2 \csc (x + \frac{π}{4}) - 1$

34.

$f (x) = - \sec (x - \frac{π}{3}) - 2$

35.

$f (x) = \frac{7}{5} \csc (x - \frac{π}{4})$

36.

$f (x) = 5 (\cot (x + \frac{π}{2}) - 3)$

For the following exercises, find and graph two periods of the periodic function with the given stretching factor, $| A |,$ period, and phase shift.

37.

A tangent curve, $A = 1,$ period of $\frac{π}{3};$ and phase shift $(h, k) = (\frac{π}{4}, 2)$

38.

A tangent curve, $A = −2,$ period of $\frac{π}{4},$ and phase shift $(h, k) = (- \frac{π}{4}, −2)$

For the following exercises, find an equation for the graph of each function.

39.

A graph of two periods of a modified cosecant function, with asymptotes at multiples of pi/2.

40.

A graph of a modified cotangent function. Vertical asymptotes at x=-1 and x=0 and x=1.

41.

A graph of a modified cosecant function. Vertical asymptotes at multiples of pi/4.

42.

A graph of a modified tangent function. Vertical asymptotes at -pi/8 and 3pi/8.

43.

A graph of a modified cosecant function. Vertical asymptotyes at multiples of pi.

44.

A graph of a modified secant function. Four vertical asymptotes.

45.

graph of two periods of a modified tangent function. Vertical asymptotes at x=-0.005 and x=0.005.

Technology

For the following exercises, use a graphing calculator to graph two periods of the given function. Note: most graphing calculators do not have a cosecant button; therefore, you will need to input $\csc x$ as $\frac{1}{\sin x} .$

46.

$f (x) = | \csc (x) |$

47.

$f (x) = | \cot (x) |$

48.

$f (x) = 2^{\csc (x)}$

49.

$f (x) = \frac{\csc (x)}{\sec (x)}$

50.

Graph $f (x) = 1 + \sec^{2} (x) - \tan^{2} (x) .$ What is the function shown in the graph?

51.

$f (x) = \sec (0.001 x)$

52.

$f (x) = \cot (100 π x)$

53.

$f (x) = \sin^{2} x + \cos^{2} x$

Real-World Applications

54.

The function $f (x) = 20 \tan (\frac{π}{10} x)$ marks the distance in the movement of a light beam from a police car across a wall for time $x,$ in seconds, and distance $f (x),$ in feet.

ⓐ Graph on the interval $[0, 5] .$
ⓑ Find and interpret the stretching factor, period, and asymptote.

55.

Standing on the shore of a lake, a fisherman sights a boat far in the distance to his left. Let $x,$ measured in radians, be the angle formed by the line of sight to the ship and a line due north from his position. Assume due north is 0 and $x$ is measured negative to the left and positive to the right. (See Figure 19.) The boat travels from due west to due east and, ignoring the curvature of the Earth, the distance $d (x),$ in kilometers, from the fisherman to the boat is given by the function $d (x) = 1.5 \sec (x) .$

ⓐWhat is a reasonable domain for $d (x) ?$
ⓑGraph $d (x)$ on this domain.
ⓓCalculate and interpret $d (- \frac{π}{3}) .$ Round to the second decimal place.
ⓔCalculate and interpret $d (\frac{π}{6}) .$ Round to the second decimal place.
ⓕWhat is the minimum distance between the fisherman and the boat? When does this occur?

An illustration of a man and the distance he is away from a boat.

Figure 19

56.

A laser rangefinder is locked on a comet approaching Earth. The distance $g (x),$ in kilometers, of the comet after $x$ days, for $x$ in the interval 0 to 30 days, is given by $g (x) = 250,000 \csc (\frac{π}{30} x) .$

ⓐ Graph $g (x)$ on the interval $[0, 30] .$
ⓑ Evaluate $g (5)$ and interpret the information.
ⓒ What is the minimum distance between the comet and Earth? When does this occur? To which constant in the equation does this correspond?
ⓓ Find and discuss the meaning of any vertical asymptotes.

57.

A video camera is focused on a rocket on a launching pad 2 miles from the camera. The angle of elevation from the ground to the rocket after $x$ seconds is $\frac{π}{120} x .$

ⓐWrite a function expressing the altitude $h (x),$ in miles, of the rocket above the ground after $x$ seconds. Ignore the curvature of the Earth.
ⓑGraph $h (x)$ on the interval $(0, 60) .$
ⓓWhat happens to the values of $h (x)$ as $x$ approaches 60 seconds? Interpret the meaning of this in terms of the problem.

6.2 Graphs of the Other Trigonometric Functions

Analyzing the Graph of y = tan x

Graphing Variations of y = tan x

Graphing One Period of a Stretched or Compressed Tangent Function

Sketching a Compressed Tangent

Solution

Graphing One Period of a Shifted Tangent Function

Graphing One Period of a Shifted Tangent Function

Solution

Analysis

Identifying the Graph of a Stretched Tangent

Solution

Analyzing the Graphs of y = sec x and y = cscx

Graphing Variations of y = sec x and y= csc x

Graphing a Variation of the Secant Function

Solution

Graphing a Variation of the Secant Function

Solution

Graphing a Variation of the Cosecant Function

Solution

Graphing a Vertically Stretched, Horizontally Compressed, and Vertically Shifted Cosecant

Solution

Analysis

Analyzing the Graph of y = cot x

Graphing Variations of y = cot x

Graphing Variations of the Cotangent Function

Solution

Graphing a Modified Cotangent

Solution

Using the Graphs of Trigonometric Functions to Solve Real-World Problems

Using Trigonometric Functions to Solve Real-World Scenarios

Solution

6.2 Section Exercises

Verbal

Algebraic

Graphical

Technology

Real-World Applications