Intersections of Sine Graphs and Biorhythms

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the points of intersection between three sine graphs representing biorhythms: Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual cycles, each with different periods (23, 28, and 33 days respectively). The original poster seeks to determine when these cycles will align at the same point on the x-axis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the equations for each sine graph and questions whether their calculations are correct. They express uncertainty about how to find the common intersection points and whether there is a specific equation to use. Some participants suggest considering the lowest common multiple of the periods for potential intersection points, while others question the periodic nature of biorhythms.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various interpretations of the problem, with some providing insights into the periodicity of the sine functions and the concept of critical days. There is no explicit consensus on the methods to find the intersections, and the discussion remains open-ended with multiple perspectives being shared.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that biorhythms are 100% periodic and start from an individual's birth date, which may affect the x-axis alignment for different individuals. There is also mention of the potential controversy surrounding the scientific validity of biorhythms.

Trav44
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Homework Statement



Hi guys I was wondering how to find the points of intersections between 3 different sine graphs.

For an assignment I am trying to find when my three biorhythms (Physical, Emotional, Intellectual) will all cross at once.

Each cycle runs on the following time frame:

Physical Cycle - 23 days

Emotional Cycle - 28 days

Intellectual Cycle - 33 days

Homework Equations



I have converted the three into equations

Physical
A=100 for 100%
B=
T=2pi/B which can be re-arranged to B=2pi/T
B=2pi/23
B=0.2732
C=N/A
D=N/A
y=100sin0.2732x

Emotional
A=100 for 100%
B=
T=2pi/B which can be re-arranged to B=2pi/T
B=2pi/28
B=0.2244
C=N/A
D=N/A
y=100sin0.2244x


Intellectual
A=100 for 100%
B=
T=2pi/B which can be re-arranged to B=2pi/T
B=2pi/33
B=0.1904
C=N/A
D=N/A
y=100sin0.1904x


Am I calculating the equation for each of these graphs correctly?

How do I find when all of the graphs will equal the same x-value at one time?

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea where I would start? Is there an equation for this? or do i put a certain number as the x-value for each graph? Find factors of the periods multiplied together? Something else?

Any help will be much appreciated thank you :)
 
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Trav44 said:

Homework Statement



Hi guys I was wondering how to find the points of intersections between 3 different sine graphs.

For an assignment I am trying to find when my three biorhythms (Physical, Emotional, Intellectual) will all cross at once.

Each cycle runs on the following time frame:

Physical Cycle - 23 days

Emotional Cycle - 28 days

Intellectual Cycle - 33 days

Homework Equations



I have converted the three into equations

Physical
A=100 for 100%
B=
T=2pi/B which can be re-arranged to B=2pi/T
B=2pi/23
B=0.2732
C=N/A
D=N/A
y=100sin0.2732x

Emotional
A=100 for 100%
B=
T=2pi/B which can be re-arranged to B=2pi/T
B=2pi/28
B=0.2244
C=N/A
D=N/A
y=100sin0.2244x


Intellectual
A=100 for 100%
B=
T=2pi/B which can be re-arranged to B=2pi/T
B=2pi/33
B=0.1904
C=N/A
D=N/A
y=100sin0.1904x


Am I calculating the equation for each of these graphs correctly?

How do I find when all of the graphs will equal the same x-value at one time?

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea where I would start? Is there an equation for this? or do i put a certain number as the x-value for each graph? Find factors of the periods multiplied together? Something else?

Any help will be much appreciated thank you :)

I suppose you mean have the same y values for some value of x? Your three sines all start at 0 and they will all be 0 again at the common period, which is the lowest common multiple of their periods: 23*28*33 = 21252 days = 58 years. Of course that's assuming all three traits are at zero to start with. And do negative biorhythms make sense?

I doubt the three curves cross at any other time, but I'm just guessing. But, then, I don't know anything about biorhythms, such as, for example, are they really periodic?
 
Thanks for the quick reply but that's not exactly what I was looking for :/

Guess I should have explained what biorhythms are.

http://www.facade.com/biorhythm/

They are charts that illustrate the principle that we are influenced by physical, emotional, and intellectual cycles. Many people report that they can improve the quality of their lives by monitoring the highs and lows of these cycles and acting accordingly.

They start from your day of birth so their starting point on the x-axis is different for everyone.
The x-axis is a measure of time in days represented by dates

They are 100% periodic

When two of the lines cross it is called a 'critical day'
When three lines cross it is called a 'double critical day'

I am trying to calculate when these critical days occur.

Below are 2 example pictures of biorhythms:

One with just the biorhythm sine graphs
and one indicating what a critical day is (RED BOX).

Thanks for any help :)
 

Attachments

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If you want to see when two out of phase sine waves cross each other you need to solve an equation in the form ##\sin x =\sin(x-a) = \sin x \cos a - \cos x \sin a##. This can be expressed as$$
\tan x = \frac{-\sin a}{1-\cos a}$$which can be solved numerically. I don't care to go into more detail with this problem because, apparently, biorhythms are controversial in the science community, and it would seem like a waste my time. Good luck with your project.
 

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