Sums of Trigonometric Functions
Main Concept
Periodic functions can often be very well approximated by sums of trigonometric functions. Each of these functions is defined by two parameters:
frequency: how often it oscillates
phase: how shifted it is left or right
Any function defined as a sum of such functions is also affected by the coefficient multiplier of each component function - the greater the coefficient (in magnitude), the greater the effect that component function will have.
You are given a sum of each of the six basic trigonometric functions. Use the combo box and the sliders to adjust the parameters (amplitude, frequency, phase)
of each of these functions in the sum, and see how it affects the graph of the sum in the plot on the right.
sin(x)cos(x)tan(x)csc(x)sec(x)cot(x)
Frequency:
Coefficient:
Phase:
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