Module 6 Group Activity: Graphs of Sine and Cosine
COMPLETE ME FIRST
In the space below, please enter your: 1. First Name 2. Last Name 3. Group Number
This sketch tries to show the relationship between the measurements of a point on the unit circle and the definition of the sine and cosine functions.
Please spend time exploring and playing around on this applet.
Then please respond to the questions at the bottom.
Unit Circle & Graphs of Sine and Cosine
1) What do the values along the x-axis represent? How did you come to this conclusion?
2) With "cosine" selected, move the cursor around the unit circle in the counter-clockwise direction. In addition to the coordinates of the point being displayed there is additional number that lags behind the point , but is also changing. What does this value represent? How do you know this/how were you convinced of your answer?
3) Explain why the cosine graph initially decreases and the sine value increases?
4) Why do sine and cosine not have the same number of x-intercepts? What do the graphs have in common?
5) Explain why the range of both graphs is [-1,1]?