3.6 Modeling with trigonometric equations (Page 6/14)

Page 6 / 14

Bounding curves in harmonic motion

Harmonic motion graphs may be enclosed by bounding curves. When a function has a varying amplitude , such that the amplitude rises and falls multiple times within a period, we can determine the bounding curves from part of the function.

Graphing an oscillating cosine curve

Graph the function $f (x) = \cos (2 π x) \cos (16 π x) .$

The graph produced by this function will be shown in two parts. The first graph will be the exact function $f (x)$ (see [link] ), and the second graph is the exact function $f (x)$ plus a bounding function (see [link] . The graphs look quite different.

Graph of f(x) = cos(2pi*x)cos(16pi*x), a sinusoidal function that increases and decreases its amplitude periodically.

Graph of f(x) = cos(2pi*x)cos(16pi*x), a sinusoidal function that increases and decreases its amplitude periodically. There is also a bonding function drawn over it in red, which makes the whole image look like a DNA (double helix) piece stretched along the x-axis.

Media

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with trigonometric applications.

Visit this website for additional practice questions from Learningpod.

Key equations


Standard form of sinusoidal equation	$y = A \sin (B t - C) + D or y = A \cos (B t - C) + D$
Simple harmonic motion	$d = a \cos (ω t) or d = a \sin (ω t)$
Damped harmonic motion	$f (t) = a e^{- c}^{t} \sin (ω t) or f (t) = a e^{- c t} \cos (ω t)$

Key concepts

Sinusoidal functions are represented by the sine and cosine graphs. In standard form, we can find the amplitude, period, and horizontal and vertical shifts. See [link] and [link] .
Use key points to graph a sinusoidal function. The five key points include the minimum and maximum values and the midline values. See [link] .
Periodic functions can model events that reoccur in set cycles, like the phases of the moon, the hands on a clock, and the seasons in a year. See [link] , [link] , [link] and [link] .
Harmonic motion functions are modeled from given data. Similar to periodic motion applications, harmonic motion requires a restoring force. Examples include gravitational force and spring motion activated by weight. See [link] .
Damped harmonic motion is a form of periodic behavior affected by a damping factor. Energy dissipating factors, like friction, cause the displacement of the object to shrink. See [link] , [link] , [link] , [link] , and [link] .
Bounding curves delineate the graph of harmonic motion with variable maximum and minimum values. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

Explain what types of physical phenomena are best modeled by sinusoidal functions. What are the characteristics necessary?

Physical behavior should be periodic, or cyclical.

What information is necessary to construct a trigonometric model of daily temperature? Give examples of two different sets of information that would enable modeling with an equation.

If we want to model cumulative rainfall over the course of a year, would a sinusoidal function be a good model? Why or why not?

Since cumulative rainfall is always increasing, a sinusoidal function would not be ideal here.

Explain the effect of a damping factor on the graphs of harmonic motion functions.

Algebraic

For the following exercises, find a possible formula for the trigonometric function represented by the given table of values.


$x$	$y$
$0$	$- 4$
$3$	$- 1$
$6$	$2$
$9$	$- 1$
$12$	$- 4$
$15$	$- 1$
$18$	$2$

$y = - 3 \cos (\frac{π}{6} x) - 1$


$x$	$y$
$0$	$5$
$2$	$1$
$4$	$- 3$
$6$	$1$
$8$	$5$
$10$	$1$
$12$	$- 3$


$x$	$y$
$0$	$2$
$\frac{π}{4}$	$7$
$\frac{π}{2}$	$2$
$\frac{3 π}{4}$	$- 3$
$π$	$2$
$\frac{5 π}{4}$	$7$
$\frac{3 π}{2}$	$2$

$5 \sin (2 x) + 2$


$x$	$y$
$0$	$2$
$\frac{π}{4}$	$7$
$\frac{π}{2}$	$2$
$\frac{3 π}{4}$	$- 3$
$π$	$2$
$\frac{5 π}{4}$	$7$
$\frac{3 π}{2}$	$2$


$x$	$y$
$0$	$1$
$1$	$- 3$
$2$	$- 7$
$3$	$- 3$
$4$	$1$
$5$	$- 3$
$6$	$- 7$

$4 \cos (\frac{x π}{2}) - 3$


$x$	$y$
$0$	$- 2$
$1$	$4$
$2$	$10$
$3$	$4$
$4$	$- 2$
$5$	$4$
$6$	$10$

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Source: OpenStax, Essential precalculus, part 2. OpenStax CNX. Aug 20, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11845/1.2

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