Understanding the Period of a Cosine Function

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 6 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the period of a trigonometric function is the distance along the x-axis over which the function repeats itself. It is an essential concept in understanding the behavior of trigonometric functions and their applications in various fields. In this article, we will determine the period of the function $$y = -3 \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{5} x\right)$$.

Understanding the Period of a Cosine Function

The period of a cosine function is given by the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function. In the given function $$y = -3 \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{5} x\right)$$, the coefficient of the $x$ term is $\frac{\pi}{5}$ .

Calculating the Period

To calculate the period of the given function, we can use the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b = \frac{\pi}{5}$ . Plugging in the value of $b$ , we get:

T = \frac{2\pi}{\left|\frac{\pi}{5}\right|}

Simplifying the expression, we get:

T = \frac{2\pi}{\frac{\pi}{5}}

T = 10

Therefore, the period of the function $$y = -3 \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{5} x\right)$$ is 10.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have determined the period of the function $$y = -3 \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{5} x\right)$$ using the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$. The period of the function is 10, which means that the function repeats itself every 10 units along the x-axis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the period of a cosine function?
How do you calculate the period of a cosine function?
What is the formula for calculating the period of a cosine function?

Answers

The period of a cosine function is given by the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.
To calculate the period of a cosine function, you can use the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.
The formula for calculating the period of a cosine function is $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.

References

[1] "Trigonometry" by Michael Corral, Rice University.
[2] "Calculus" by Michael Spivak, Publish or Perish, Inc.

Introduction

In our previous article, we determined the period of the function $$y = -3 \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{5} x\right)$$. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to determining the period of a trigonometric function.

Q&A

Q: What is the period of a cosine function?

A: The period of a cosine function is given by the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.

Q: How do you calculate the period of a cosine function?

A: To calculate the period of a cosine function, you can use the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.

Q: What is the formula for calculating the period of a cosine function?

A: The formula for calculating the period of a cosine function is $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.

Q: What is the period of the function $$y = \sin \left(\frac{2\pi}{3} x\right)$$?

A: To calculate the period of the function $$y = \sin \left(\frac{2\pi}{3} x\right)$$, we can use the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b = \frac{2\pi}{3}$ . Plugging in the value of $b$ , we get:

T = \frac{2\pi}{\left|\frac{2\pi}{3}\right|}

Simplifying the expression, we get:

T = \frac{2\pi}{\frac{2\pi}{3}}

T = 3

Therefore, the period of the function $$y = \sin \left(\frac{2\pi}{3} x\right)$$ is 3.

Q: What is the period of the function $$y = \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{4} x\right)$$?

A: To calculate the period of the function $$y = \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{4} x\right)$$, we can use the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b = \frac{\pi}{4}$ . Plugging in the value of $b$ , we get:

T = \frac{2\pi}{\left|\frac{\pi}{4}\right|}

Simplifying the expression, we get:

T = \frac{2\pi}{\frac{\pi}{4}}

T = 8

Therefore, the period of the function $$y = \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{4} x\right)$$ is 8.

Q: What is the period of the function $$y = \tan \left(\frac{\pi}{6} x\right)$$?

A: To calculate the period of the function $$y = \tan \left(\frac{\pi}{6} x\right)$$, we can use the formula $$T = \frac{\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b = \frac{\pi}{6}$ . Plugging in the value of $b$ , we get:

T = \frac{\pi}{\left|\frac{\pi}{6}\right|}

Simplifying the expression, we get:

T = \frac{\pi}{\frac{\pi}{6}}

T = 6

Therefore, the period of the function $$y = \tan \left(\frac{\pi}{6} x\right)$$ is 6.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have answered some frequently asked questions related to determining the period of a trigonometric function. We have used the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$ to calculate the period of various trigonometric functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the period of a cosine function?
How do you calculate the period of a cosine function?
What is the formula for calculating the period of a cosine function?
What is the period of the function $$y = \sin \left(\frac{2\pi}{3} x\right)$$?
What is the period of the function $$y = \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{4} x\right)$$?
What is the period of the function $$y = \tan \left(\frac{\pi}{6} x\right)$$?

Answers

The period of a cosine function is given by the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.
To calculate the period of a cosine function, you can use the formula $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.
The formula for calculating the period of a cosine function is $$T = \frac{2\pi}{|b|}$$, where $b$ is the coefficient of the $x$ term inside the cosine function.
The period of the function $$y = \sin \left(\frac{2\pi}{3} x\right)$$ is 3.
The period of the function $$y = \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{4} x\right)$$ is 8.
The period of the function $$y = \tan \left(\frac{\pi}{6} x\right)$$ is 6.

References

[1] "Trigonometry" by Michael Corral, Rice University.
[2] "Calculus" by Michael Spivak, Publish or Perish, Inc.