Thursday, 13 October 2011

Instantaneous Rate of Change of a Trigonometric Function

Now, everyone knows the basic method to find the instantaneous rate of change of an equation ; that is, to find the difference between 2 points nearest to the point required a rate of change, divided by the difference in x-values of the respective y-values chosen. SIMPLE. What about trigonometric functions? Well, I have to say that is JUST THE SAME. Like 100% the same.

There is only a few things you need to note:

- Given a trigonometric graph with/out transformation, the turning points of the graph give an instantaneous rate of ZERO!!!
- Given a plain trigonometric function, and asked to find the instantaneous rate when a < x < b, graph the function and use the Tangent Operation to find the instantaneous rate of change  simply subsititute the a and b into the function to find the y-values. Then use the traditional way to find the instantaneous rate of change.
- It really doesnt matter how complicated or how simple the function is, because your only need two distinct points to find the instanatneous rate of change

Take a look at this video to understand some detailed examples of this topic, if you are still unsure or how to find instantaneous rate of change. Remember to practise!

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