Composition of Ordinates / Harmonic Analysis Problems

1. Which equation is of the proper form for this trigonometric graph? Provide a detailed
explanation as to how you made your selection / why it is the correct choice.

A) y = 5 sin (x) + 2 cos (ax) ∙ cos (bx) B) y = 5 sin (x) + 2 sin (ax) ∙ sin (bx)

C) y = 5 sin (x) + 2 sin (ax) ∙ cos (bx) D) y = 5 cos (x) + 2 cos (ax) ∙ sin (bx)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Sine Function

The form of this function is y = sin(x)

Features:

The amplitude is the distance from the middle of the curve(or sinusoidal axis) to the highest
point or lowest point on the curve. This amplitude is always positive and is the coefficient of
the sine function. It determines how ‘tall’ the curve is. The period of the sine curve is the
distance it takes to complete one full oscillation. The period of the parent sine function is 2π,
meaning the curve repeats every 2π radians. The sine curve crosses the x-axis at multiples of
half the period. For the parent sine curve, this would be π, 2π, 3π, 4π, etc.

A radian is a unit of angular measure used to quantify the size of an angle. One radian is
defined as the angle subtended when you sweep an arc along the circumference of a circle,
and the length of that arc is equal to the radius of the circle. One complete revolution of a
circle is 360 degrees, or 2π radians.
The formula to convert from degrees to radians is R = (π/180) x D, where R is the angle in
radians, and D is the angle in degrees. The formula to convert from radians to degrees is D =
(180/π) x R.

To graph a sine curve plot key points like the maximum, minimum, and axis crossings. Then
connect these points smoothly to form the sine curve. Here is a graph of a sine wave below.

Some key points of a parent sine graph include (0, 0), (π/2, 1), (π, 0), (3π/2, -1), and (2π, 0).

Cosine Function

Function form: y = cos(x)

Features:

Similar to the sine curve, the cosine curve has an amplitude that determines its maximum
and minimum value. The period of a parent cosine function is also 2π. The cosine curve
crosses the x-axis at points halfway between the sine axis crossings(π/2, 3π/2, etc.). It is
important to note that the cosine curve starts at its maximum, which in a parent function
would be (0, 1).

To graph a cosine curve, follow a similar process as with the sine curve, plotting key points
and connecting them to create the cosine curve.

Some key points of a parent cosine graph include (0, 1), (π/2, 0), (π, -1), (3π/2, 0), and (2π,
1).
Cosine and sine functions are periodic and repeat their patterns indefinitely.

For these problems, there are not any translations, so we can assume that if a graph has a
value of 0 at the y-intercept, it is a sine graph. On the other hand, if a graph has a value other
than 0 at the y-intercept, it is a cosine graph.

When adding two trigonometric functions with different periods, we can find key x values in
both of the curves and add their corresponding y-values together. Then, we can graph this
set of x and new y values. What we will find is a graph with a varying sinusoidal axis.

The sinusoidal axis is the neutral horizontal line that lies between the crests and the troughs
of a sine or cosine graph. When the sinusoidal axis varies, the graph will appear to ‘rise’ up
and down periodically. The amplitude of each period, however, will remain the same.

In addition, the part of the function with the smaller period will be enveloped by the graph
with the larger period.

The function with the larger period will be an addend in the final function. The function with
a smaller period will also be an addend. To find the equations of these functions, or graph
them, we can use BCAD. Most trigonometric functions are represented in this form:

f(x) = Asin(b(x+c)) + D or
f(x) = Acos(b(x+c)) + D

The A-value represents vertical stretches/shrinks.

If A > 1, the graph will be vertically stretched. If A < 1, the graph will be vertically shrinked. If
A = 1, the graph will remain the same. If A is negative, the function will be reflected over the
x-axis. Regardless, the amplitude will remain the same as the amplitude of a sine or cosine
function is the absolute value of the A-value (|A|).

The B-value represents horizontal shrinks/stretches.

If B<1, the graph will be horizontally stretched. If B > 1, the graph will be horizontally
shrinked. If B =1, the graph will remain the same. If B is negative the function will be
reflected over the y-axis. It is also important to note that the B-value of a function can be
determined by it’s period.

The formula to determine the B-value of a function from it’s period is:

B = (2π) / P

This can also be used to determine the period from the B-Value.

The C-Value represents horizontal translations.

If the C value is negative, the graph will shift right that many units. If the C-Value is positive,
the graph will shift right that many units. If the C value is 0, the graph will not be affected.

The D-Value represents vertical translations.

If the D value is positive, the graph will shift up that many units. If the D-Value is negative,
the graph will shift down that many units. If the D value is 0, the graph will not be affected.

In these problems, the C and D values will not be used(will remain as 0) as there are no
vertical or horizontal translations.

When adding two trigonometric functions with the different period, the curve with the
larger period envelops the curve with the smaller period. To find the equation of the curve
with a larger period, first we can observe the amplitude. This will become our A-value in the
equation. Then, we can observe the period. The B-Value of our equation will be (2π) / P.
To find the equation of the curve with a smaller period, we need to determine what type of
trigonometric function the curve is. First, observe the y-intercept of the function. If both the
graph with the larger period and the final graph intersect here, that means both of their
values at x = 0 are the same. The only way this can happen is if the graph with the smaller
period has a y-value of 0 at the y-intercept(goes through the origin). This makes this graph a
sine graph. If the graph with the larger period is a sine graph, and the graph of the final
function has a positive y-intercept, the graph with a smaller period also must have a positive
y-intercept. This means that the curve with the smaller period would have to be a cosine
graph.

Next, we observe the period of the curve with the smaller period. We will observe how many
periods of this curve occur in the same span as the one period of the curve with the larger
period. In other words, how many times does this curve repeat in one period of the larger
curve. We will multiply this number by the B-value of the graph with the larger period. This
is because this graph is already dilated, and the period of the larger graph is a factor of
dilation that we can use to calculate the B-value of the smaller graph.

Then, we need to find the amplitude of the curve with the smaller period. We can pick one of
the ‘mini-cycles’, or one repetition before the sinusoidal axis shifts. If we look at the
sinusoidal axis in just this mini-cycle, we can find the amplitude of the curve with the
smaller period. This becomes the A-value of the equation of the curve with the smaller
period.

If we add these two functions together, this will be the graph of our final function.

When multiplying two trigonometric functions with different periods, the amplitude varies.
The amplitude is the distance from the sinusoidal axis to to the peaks/valleys(mins and
maxes) of each individual period. The graph will appear to vertically stretch and shrink
periodically. The sinusoidal axis, however, will remain the same.

Again, when we multiply two curves, the curve with a larger period almost contains the
curve with a smaller period. The curve with a smaller period grows and shrinks to match the
nature of the graph with a larger period. In other words, if you drew a curve through the
midpoint of each period, this would be the enveloping curve. To find the equation of the
curve, first we can observe the amplitude. This will become our A-value in the equation.
Then, we can observe the period. The B-Value of our equation will be (2π) / P.

To find the equation of the curve with the smaller period, we first need to identify if it is a
sine curve or a cosine curve. If we draw a vertical line right through the middle of a period of
the curve with the larger period, and both sides are a reflection of the other across this line,
the curve with the smaller period will be the same type as the curve with the larger
period(sine x sine, cosine x cosine). On the other hand, if both sides do not reflect perfectly
across the line, then the curve with the smaller period must be a different type than the
curve with the larger period(sine x cosine, cosine x sine).

Then, we need to find how many cycles the graph with the smaller period goes through in
one cycle of the graph with the larger period. If we multiply this value times the B-value of
the graph with the larger period, we can find the B-value of the curve with the smaller
period. This is a double dilation, the first graph is dilated, and the second graph is dilated
again.

If we multiply these two functions(the curve with the larger period and the curve with the
smaller period), we will get the equation of our final function.

We can see that in this question, a sine curve envelops the other curve that is shown. So, we
know that a sine curve must be one of the addends in the final function. For this reason, we
can eliminate the bottom right answer.

Next, we can focus on what is going on as one-cycle repeats. We can see that the amplitudes
of the curves are varying, so there must be a multiplication of trig functions with different
periods as well. However, we also notice that in each cycle, if we draw a vertical line between
each ‘mini-cycle’, we can see that the two sides will not reflect onto each other. Therefore,
the two parts being multiplied together must be a different type of trigonometric
function(sine * cosine, cosine * sine). There is only one answer choice which is in this form
among the 3 others, which is the bottom left hand choice. This is why this equation is the
proper form for the graph displayed.
2. Give the equation for each composite trigonometric graph. Give a detailed description of
how you came up with each equation and where each part of the equation comes from.
Feel free to attach any work.
y = 4sin(½ x) · cos(12x)

First, I recognized that this graph was a multiplication of trigonometric functions with
different periods because of the varying amplitudes and the same sinusoidal axis. Then, I
drew the enveloping curve, or the curve with the larger period. I recognized that this curve
was a sine curve, as it went through the point(0, 0), and crossed the x-axis at 2π.

I recognized that the period of this larger curve was 4π, as only half of a period is shown in
the graph. So, 2π * 2 makes the period 4π.

Then, to find the B-Value, we can use (2π / P) = B. So, (2π / 4π) = ½ = B. The B-Value would
be ½.

Next, I recognized that I need to find the amplitude of this curve with the larger period. This
would be the distance from the sinusoidal axis to the maximums and minimums of the final
curve. This has a value of 4. The graph does not have a negative A-value and is not reflected
across the x-axis because I recognized that the graph started off going positive, which makes
the A-value have to be positive.

Combining all of this information, we can conclude that the equation of the curve with the
larger period is y =4sin(½ x).

Next, I needed to find the equation of the curve with the smaller period. We need to
determine if it is a sine curve or a cosine curve. After I drew a line through the period, I
noticed that if you reflect both sides, they are NOT a perfect match. This means that the two
curves must be of different types. So, the second curve must be a cosine curve.
I counted 24 cycles inside one cycle of the curve with the larger period. I multiplied this
value by the B-value of the larger curve(½), to get the B-Value of the smaller curve. 24 * ½ =
12, so the B-value of the smaller curve would be 12.

Combining this information, we can conclude that the equation of the curve with the smaller
period is y = cos(12x).

Adding these equations together, our final equation is:

y = 4sin(½ x) · cos(12x)

3.
y =4cos((π/2) x) + 2sin(3πx)

First, I recognized that this graph was an addition of trigonometric functions with different
periods because of the varying sinusoidal axes and the same amplitude. Then, I drew the
enveloping curve, or the curve with the larger period. I recognized that this curve was a
cosine curve, as it did not pass through the origin and had a positive y-intercept. Therefore, I
also concluded that the A-value had to be positive.

I recognized the period of this graph by looking at when the graph repeats each team.
Looking from the y-axis, the graph repeats every 4 units. Therefore, the period must be 4.

To find the B-value, (2π / 4) = π/2.

To find the amplitude, I found the distance the x-axis to the minimums and maximums of the
curve with the larger period. I found that this value was 4.

Combining all of this information, I concluded that the equation of the curve with the larger
period was 4cos(π/2 x)

Next, I needed to find the equation of the curve with the smaller period. We need to
determine if it is a sine curve or a cosine curve. After I drew a line through the period, I
noticed that if you reflect both sides, they are NOT a perfect match. This means that the two
curves must be of different types. So, the curve with a smaller period must be a sine curve.

I counted 6 cycles inside one cycle of the curve with the larger period. I multiplied this value
by the B-value of the curve with the larger period(π/2), to get the B-Value of the smaller
curve. 6 * (π/2) = 3π, so the B-value of the smaller curve would be 3π.
I also noticed that the amplitude of each ‘mini-cycle’ starting from each sinusoidal axis was
2. Also, this could not be negative because at the y-intercept, the graph initially starts to go
up.

Combining all of this information, I concluded that the equation of the curve with the
smaller period was 2sin(3π x)

Adding these equations together, our final equation is:

y = 4cos((π/2) x) + 2sin(3πx)
 Create

4. Create one problem similar to the ones you completed above. Come up with either an
equation or graph you would give to a group of students to practice one of the above
skills, and give the solution with its explanation. Explain why you chose this problem
and how it would help students to understand the concept. Make sure to supply the
accompanying graph in either the problem or solution and make sure the scale on the
graph is visible.

Give the equation for the composite trigonometric graph. Give a detailed description of how
you came up with each equation and where each part of the equation comes from. Hint:
There are 2 parts to this equation. Think about how to find the equation of each part.

SOLUTION w/ EXPLANATION

y = 3sin(x) + cos(6x)

I notice that there is a varying sinusoidal axis, so this graph must be an addition of
trigonometric functions. I then find the enveloping curve, the curve with the larger period.
This curve is a sine curve as it starts a period at (0, 0), and ends its period (2π). Then, we
also know that the period of this curve is 2π.

To find the B-value of the curve we can do (2π/2π) or just 1. Therefore, the B-value is 1 and
we do not need to include it in our equation.

To find the amplitude, I find the distance from the x-axis to the maximum and minimum, of
this curve, which is 3. I know the A-value cannot be negative, because the graph rises
immediately off the y-intercept.

Combining all of this information, I concluded that the equation of the curve with the larger
period was 3sin(x).

Next, I needed to find the equation of the curve with the smaller period. I needed to
determine if it is a sine curve or a cosine curve. After I drew a line through the period, I
noticed that if you reflect both sides, they are NOT a perfect match. This means that the two
curves must be of different types. So, the curve with a smaller period must be a cosine curve.

I counted 6 cycles inside one cycle of the curve with the larger period. I multiplied this value
by the B-value of the curve with the larger period(1), to get the B-Value of the smaller curve.
6 * (1) = 6, so the B-value of the smaller curve would be 6.

I also noticed that the amplitude of each ‘mini-cycle’ starting from each sinusoidal axis was
1. Also, this could not be negative because at the y-intercept, the graph initially starts to go
up.

Combining all of this information, I concluded that the equation of the curve with the
smaller period was cos(6x).

Adding these equations together, our final equation is: