Graphing sin and cos functions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on plotting the function x(t) = 10cos((pi*t)-(pi/4)), emphasizing key characteristics such as amplitude, phase shift, and frequency. The amplitude is confirmed as 10, while the phase shift is identified as pi/4 to the right. Participants clarify that pi represents the angular frequency, leading to a period of 2, meaning one complete cosine wave occurs within the interval of 0 to 2. The transformation of the function results in adjusted t-intercepts due to the compression factor of pi. Overall, understanding these elements is crucial for accurately graphing the cosine function.
jayare81
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



plot x(t) = 10cos((pi*t)-(pi/4))

Homework Equations



pi/4 is the shift to the right

10 is the amplitude of the graph

pi is the radian frequency

The Attempt at a Solution



so i got the amplitude and shift to the right by pi/4 part but as for the radian frequency, my plot doesn't seem right. does pi mean that one cos wave occurs in a pi interval? thanks in advance
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes. pi is the angular frequency, w. How is it related to the time period, T?

ehild
 
jayare81 said:

Homework Statement



plot x(t) = 10cos((pi*t)-(pi/4))

Homework Equations



pi/4 is the shift to the right
I don't think so. You could write this function as x(t) = 10 cos(pi(t - 1/4)). The graph of x(t) = 10 cos(pi*t) has two transformations: a vertical expansion by a factor of 10 (that's your amplitude), and a compression toward the vertical axis by a factor of pi. This compression means that instead of having t intercepts at +/-pi/2, +/-3pi/2, +/-5pi/2, and so on, x(t) = 10 cos(pi*t) has t intercepts at +/-1/2, +/-3/2, +/-5/2, and so on.
The -1/4 term causes a shift to the right by 1/4 unit of the graph of x(t) = 10 cos(pi*t).
jayare81 said:
10 is the amplitude of the graph

pi is the radian frequency

The Attempt at a Solution



so i got the amplitude and shift to the right by pi/4 part but as for the radian frequency, my plot doesn't seem right. does pi mean that one cos wave occurs in a pi interval? thanks in advance
 
thanks for the help! T is 2pi/w so the period i got was 2. one cos wave occurs within 0-2
 
Yes, but do not forget that it is shifted, so its has the maximum value where (pi*t)-(pi/4)=0.

ehild
 

Similar threads

Back
Top