Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Graphs of Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions

Now, the R-E-C-I-P-R-O-C-A-L!!! you really cant deny that mathematicians from the past have genuinely creative and curious minds. =]

This part of math has nothing new to learn, but only new things to remember...
Since trigonometric function graphs are periodic, they are continuous and will definitely have x-intercepts.

To remember:

1. The x-intercepts of a trigonometric function become the vertical asymptotes of the respective trigonnometric function's reciprocal.

2. The reciprocal of a trigonometric function IS NOT THE SAME as the inverse of the trigonometric function.

3. Practise, practise, practise with the graphing calculator!

Examples:

If y = sin x is graphed, its x-intercept lies at π.
If y = 1/sin x is graphed, its x-intercept of  π becomes its vertical asymptote. Hence, y = 1/sin x has a vertical asymptote at x =  π

The reciprocal of a trigonometric function is 1 divided by the trigonometric function. However, Trigo-1  is asking for the angle that has the trigonometric ratio equal to x (the inverse).

For further help of this, this video can probably help you understand a little better as it provides detailed examples. Good luckie!!!~

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