mynamesmurph
Junior Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2014
- Messages
- 51
In class we are graphing the sum of trig functions, such as y=3cosx+4sinx
To graph them, we choose common x values, and then add them to get points on the graph for the new function. I've noticed on graphing some of the more complex functions that you really need a lot of x values to truly get the shape, even using all the points on the unit circle sometimes isn't enough to really get an idea of the shape. I thought that knowing the maximum value might be helpful sometimes and after class, I asked my teacher if there was a way to know the maximum value. He was in a hurry and I think he said something like add the amplitudes, which sort of made sense at the time, and thinking about it on the way home I thought if I add the amplitudes that will give me a y value for which I can solve x. (I don't actually know how to solve for x for an equation like the one I posted, any help there?) Anyway, I started graphing some trig functions on a graphing calculator and noticed that the maximum is not always the sum of the amplitudes, and often isn't. Did I not hear him correctly? I'm not going to be tested on this, but am curious if there is a way to know this value. Any help?
To graph them, we choose common x values, and then add them to get points on the graph for the new function. I've noticed on graphing some of the more complex functions that you really need a lot of x values to truly get the shape, even using all the points on the unit circle sometimes isn't enough to really get an idea of the shape. I thought that knowing the maximum value might be helpful sometimes and after class, I asked my teacher if there was a way to know the maximum value. He was in a hurry and I think he said something like add the amplitudes, which sort of made sense at the time, and thinking about it on the way home I thought if I add the amplitudes that will give me a y value for which I can solve x. (I don't actually know how to solve for x for an equation like the one I posted, any help there?) Anyway, I started graphing some trig functions on a graphing calculator and noticed that the maximum is not always the sum of the amplitudes, and often isn't. Did I not hear him correctly? I'm not going to be tested on this, but am curious if there is a way to know this value. Any help?