Working with the graphs of trigonometric functionsTrigonometric graphs

Trigonometric graphs can be sketched when you know the amplitude, period, phase and maximum and minimum turning points.

Part of MathsTrigonometric skills

Trigonometric graphs

Watch this video to learn about graphs of trigonometric functions.

The sine and cosine graphs

The sine and cosine graphs are very similar as they both:

  • have the same curve only shifted along the x-axis
  • have an amplitude (half the distance between the maximum and minimum values) of 1
  • have a period (size of one wave) of 360˚
Diagram of sine graph
Diagram of a cos graph
Diagram of a sin and cos graph

The tangent curve

Watch this video to learn about trigonometric functions: y = tangent of x.

The tangent graph:

  • has an amplitude which is undefined as the curve tends to infinity both upwards and downwards
  • has a period of 180˚
Diagram of a tangent curve graph