<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

The cotangent graph has vertical asymptotes at each value of x where tan x = 0 ; we show these in the graph below with dashed lines. Since the cotangent is the reciprocal of the tangent, cot x has vertical asymptotes at all values of x where tan x = 0 , and cot x = 0 at all values of x where tan x has its vertical asymptotes.

A graph of cotangent of x, with vertical asymptotes at multiples of pi.
The cotangent function

Features of the graph of y = A Cot( Bx )

  • The stretching factor is | A | .
  • The period is P = π | B | .
  • The domain is x π | B | k , where k is an integer.
  • The range is ( , ) .
  • The asymptotes occur at x = π | B | k , where k is an integer.
  • y = A cot ( B x ) is an odd function.

Graphing variations of y = cot x

We can transform the graph of the cotangent in much the same way as we did for the tangent. The equation becomes the following.

y = A cot ( B x C ) + D

Properties of the graph of y = A Cot( Bx −c)+ D

  • The stretching factor is | A | .
  • The period is π | B | .
  • The domain is x C B + π | B | k , where k is an integer.
  • The range is ( −∞ , ) .
  • The vertical asymptotes occur at x = C B + π | B | k , where k is an integer.
  • There is no amplitude.
  • y = A cot ( B x ) is an odd function because it is the quotient of even and odd functions (cosine and sine, respectively)

Given a modified cotangent function of the form f ( x ) = A cot ( B x ) , graph one period.

  1. Express the function in the form f ( x ) = A cot ( B x ) .
  2. Identify the stretching factor, | A | .
  3. Identify the period, P = π | B | .
  4. Draw the graph of y = A tan ( B x ) .
  5. Plot any two reference points.
  6. Use the reciprocal relationship between tangent and cotangent to draw the graph of y = A cot ( B x ) .
  7. Sketch the asymptotes.

Graphing variations of the cotangent function

Determine the stretching factor, period, and phase shift of y = 3 cot ( 4 x ) , and then sketch a graph.

  • Step 1. Expressing the function in the form f ( x ) = A cot ( B x ) gives f ( x ) = 3 cot ( 4 x ) .
  • Step 2. The stretching factor is | A | = 3.
  • Step 3. The period is P = π 4 .
  • Step 4. Sketch the graph of y = 3 tan ( 4 x ) .
  • Step 5. Plot two reference points. Two such points are ( π 16 , 3 ) and ( 3 π 16 , −3 ) .
  • Step 6. Use the reciprocal relationship to draw y = 3 cot ( 4 x ) .
  • Step 7. Sketch the asymptotes, x = 0 , x = π 4 .

The orange graph in [link] shows y = 3 tan ( 4 x ) and the blue graph shows y = 3 cot ( 4 x ) .

A graph of two periods of a modified tangent function and a modified cotangent function. Vertical asymptotes at x=-pi/4 and pi/4.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Given a modified cotangent function of the form f ( x ) = A cot ( B x C ) + D , graph one period.

  1. Express the function in the form f ( x ) = A cot ( B x C ) + D .
  2. Identify the stretching factor, | A | .
  3. Identify the period, P = π | B | .
  4. Identify the phase shift, C B .
  5. Draw the graph of y = A tan ( B x ) shifted to the right by C B and up by D .
  6. Sketch the asymptotes x = C B + π | B | k , where k is an integer.
  7. Plot any three reference points and draw the graph through these points.

Graphing a modified cotangent

Sketch a graph of one period of the function f ( x ) = 4 cot ( π 8 x π 2 ) 2.

  • Step 1. The function is already written in the general form f ( x ) = A cot ( B x C ) + D .
  • Step 2. A = 4 , so the stretching factor is 4.
  • Step 3. B = π 8 , so the period is P = π | B | = π π 8 = 8.
  • Step 4. C = π 2 , so the phase shift is C B = π 2 π 8 = 4.
  • Step 5. We draw f ( x ) = 4 tan ( π 8 x π 2 ) 2.
  • Step 6-7. Three points we can use to guide the graph are ( 6 , 2 ) , ( 8 , 2 ) , and ( 10 , 6 ) . We use the reciprocal relationship of tangent and cotangent to draw f ( x ) = 4 cot ( π 8 x π 2 ) 2.
  • Step 8. The vertical asymptotes are x = 4 and x = 12.

The graph is shown in [link] .

A graph of one period of a modified cotangent function. Vertical asymptotes at x=4 and x=12.
One period of a modified cotangent function
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

what does preconceived mean
sammie Reply
physiological Psychology
Nwosu Reply
How can I develope my cognitive domain
Amanyire Reply
why is communication effective
Dakolo Reply
Communication is effective because it allows individuals to share ideas, thoughts, and information with others.
effective communication can lead to improved outcomes in various settings, including personal relationships, business environments, and educational settings. By communicating effectively, individuals can negotiate effectively, solve problems collaboratively, and work towards common goals.
it starts up serve and return practice/assessments.it helps find voice talking therapy also assessments through relaxed conversation.
miss
Every time someone flushes a toilet in the apartment building, the person begins to jumb back automatically after hearing the flush, before the water temperature changes. Identify the types of learning, if it is classical conditioning identify the NS, UCS, CS and CR. If it is operant conditioning, identify the type of consequence positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment
Wekolamo Reply
please i need answer
Wekolamo
because it helps many people around the world to understand how to interact with other people and understand them well, for example at work (job).
Manix Reply
Agreed 👍 There are many parts of our brains and behaviors, we really need to get to know. Blessings for everyone and happy Sunday!
ARC
A child is a member of community not society elucidate ?
JESSY Reply
Isn't practices worldwide, be it psychology, be it science. isn't much just a false belief of control over something the mind cannot truly comprehend?
Simon Reply
compare and contrast skinner's perspective on personality development on freud
namakula Reply
Skinner skipped the whole unconscious phenomenon and rather emphasized on classical conditioning
war
explain how nature and nurture affect the development and later the productivity of an individual.
Amesalu Reply
nature is an hereditary factor while nurture is an environmental factor which constitute an individual personality. so if an individual's parent has a deviant behavior and was also brought up in an deviant environment, observation of the behavior and the inborn trait we make the individual deviant.
Samuel
I am taking this course because I am hoping that I could somehow learn more about my chosen field of interest and due to the fact that being a PsyD really ignites my passion as an individual the more I hope to learn about developing and literally explore the complexity of my critical thinking skills
Zyryn Reply
good👍
Jonathan
and having a good philosophy of the world is like a sandwich and a peanut butter 👍
Jonathan
generally amnesi how long yrs memory loss
Kelu Reply
interpersonal relationships
Abdulfatai Reply
What would be the best educational aid(s) for gifted kids/savants?
Heidi Reply
treat them normal, if they want help then give them. that will make everyone happy
Saurabh
What are the treatment for autism?
Magret Reply
hello. autism is a umbrella term. autistic kids have different disorder overlapping. for example. a kid may show symptoms of ADHD and also learning disabilities. before treatment please make sure the kid doesn't have physical disabilities like hearing..vision..speech problem. sometimes these
Jharna
continue.. sometimes due to these physical problems..the diagnosis may be misdiagnosed. treatment for autism. well it depends on the severity. since autistic kids have problems in communicating and adopting to the environment.. it's best to expose the child in situations where the child
Jharna
child interact with other kids under doc supervision. play therapy. speech therapy. Engaging in different activities that activate most parts of the brain.. like drawing..painting. matching color board game. string and beads game. the more you interact with the child the more effective
Jharna
results you'll get.. please consult a therapist to know what suits best on your child. and last as a parent. I know sometimes it's overwhelming to guide a special kid. but trust the process and be strong and patient as a parent.
Jharna
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Algebra and trigonometry' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask