Shape and features of y = a sin bx + c

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\begin{align*} \text{Center line: } & y = c \\ \\ \text{Amplitude} & = a \\ \\ \text{Maximum value} & = c + a \\ \text{Minimum value} & = c - a \\ \\ \text{Period} & = {360^\circ \over b} = {2\pi \text{ radians} \over b} \end{align*}

Shape and features of y = a cos bx + c

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\begin{align*} \text{Center line: } & y = c \\ \\ \text{Amplitude} & = a \\ \\ \text{Maximum value} & = c + a \\ \text{Minimum value} & = c - a \\ \\ \text{Period} & = {360^\circ \over b} = {2\pi \text{ radians} \over b} \end{align*}

Key angles in radians

$ 180^\circ = $ $ \phantom{.} \pi $ $ \text{ radians}$, $ 360^\circ = $ $ \phantom{.} 2 \pi $ $ \text{ radians}$

1. The depth, $h$ m, of the water at a pier $t$ ours after midnight is given by $ h = a \cos \left(t \over k\right) + c $, where $a$, $c$ and $k$ are positive constants. The depth of the water is $21$ m at high tide and $13$ m at low tide. The time between successive high tides is $4 \pi $ hours.

(from A Maths 360 2nd edition Ex 11.6)

(i) Find the values of $a$, $c$ and $k$.

Answer: $ a = 4, c = 17, k = 2 $

Solutions

(ii) Sketch the graph of $h$ for $ 0 \le t \le 8 \pi $.

Solutions

\begin{align} h & = a \cos \left( {1 \over k} t \right) + c \\ h & = 4 \cos \left( {1 \over 2} t \right) + 17 \\ \\ \text{Amplitude} & = 4 \\ \text{Center line: } & h = 17 \\ \text{Max. value} & = 21 \\ \text{Min. value} & = 13 \\ \text{Period} & = 4\pi \\ \\ \text{No. of cycles} & = {8\pi \over 4\pi} \\ & = 2 \end{align}

(iii) Explain how your graph will change, if the start of the depth measurement is delayed by $2 \pi$ hours. Sketch the new graph for $0 \le t \le 8 \pi$.

Solutions

The graph will start from the minimum value:

2. The height above ground level, $h$ m, of a capsule on the Singapore Flyer is modelled by the equation $h = 80(1 - \cos kt)$, where $k$ is a constant and $t$ is the time in minutes after starting the ride at ground level.

The total time to complete one revolution is 30 minutes.

(from 4048 Specimen P1)

(i) Explain why this model suggests that the height of the Singapore Flyer is 160 m.

[1]

Solutions

(ii) Show that the value of $k$ is ${\pi \over 15}$ radians per minute.

[2]

Solutions

It is possible for a person riding in a capsule to see a certain landmark, provided the capsule is at least $100$ m above ground level.

(iii) Find the length of time for which the landmark will be in view during one revolution.

[5]

Answer: $ 12.6 \text{ minutes} $

Solutions

\begin{align*} h & = -80 \cos kt + 80 \\ \\ \text{Let } & h = 100, \phantom{000000} [\text{Find the time(s) when } h = 100] \\ 100 & = -80 \cos kt + 80 \\ 80 \cos kt & = -20 \\ \cos kt & = -{20 \over 80} \\ \cos kt & = -{1 \over 4} \phantom{00000000} [\text{2nd or 3rd quadrant}] \\ \\ \text{Basic angle, } \alpha & = \cos^{-1} \left(1 \over 4\right) \phantom{0000000} [\text{Radian mode}] \\ & = 1.3181 \end{align*}

\begin{align*} kt & = \pi - 1.3181, \pi + 1.3181 \\ & = 1.8234, 4.4596 \\ \\ t & = {1.8234 \over k}, {4.4596 \over k} \\ & = 8.706, 21.293 \phantom{0000000} [\text{Use } k = {\pi \over 15} ] \end{align*}

\begin{align*} \text{Length of time} & = 21.293 - 8.706 \\ & = 12.587 \\ & \approx 12.6 \text{ mins} \end{align*}