8.2 Graphs of the other trigonometric functions  (Page 2/9)

Graphing variations of y = tan x

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

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 $A.$

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 $f(x)=A\tan (Bx).$ 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 $\left(-\frac{P}{2},\frac{P}{2}\right)$ and the graph has vertical asymptotes at $\pm \frac{P}{2}$ where $P=\frac{\pi }{B}.$ On $\left(-\frac{\pi }{2},\frac{\pi }{2}\right),$ the graph will come up from the left asymptote at $x=-\frac{\pi }{2},$ cross through the origin, and continue to increase as it approaches the right asymptote at $x=\frac{\pi }{2}.$ 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

because $\tan \left(\frac{\pi }{4}\right)=1.$

Sketching a compressed tangent

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

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

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

$$\begin{array}{l}f(0.5)=0.5\tan \left(\frac{0.5\pi }{2}\right)\hfill \\ =0.5\tan \left(\frac{\pi }{4}\right)\hfill \\ =0.5\hfill \end{array}$$

This means the curve must pass through the points $\left(0.5,0.5\right),$ $\left(0,0\right),$ and $\left(-0.5,\mathrm{-0.5}\right).$ The only inflection point is at the origin. [link] shows the graph of one period of the function.

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

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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.