17.2 CHAPTER 17. TRIGONOMETRY
- b(θ) = tan1θ
- c(θ) = tan1, 5 θ
- d(θ) = tan2θ
- e(θ) = tan2, 5 θ
Use your results to deduce the effect of k.
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You should have foundthat, once again, the value of k affects the periodicity (i.e. frequency) of the
graph. As k increases, the graph is more tightly packed. As k decreases, the graph ismore spread out.
The period of the tan graph is given by^180
◦
k.
These different properties are summarised in Table 17.3.
Table 17.3: Table summarising general shapes and positions of graphs of functions of theform
y = tan(kθ).
k > 0 k < 0
Domain and Range
For f(θ) = tan(kθ), the domain of one branch is{θ : θ∈ (−^90
◦
k;
90 ◦
k)} because the function is
undefined for θ =−^90
◦
k and θ =
90 ◦
k.
The range of f(θ) = tan(kθ) is{f(θ) : f(θ)∈ (−∞;∞)}.
Intercepts
For functions of the form, y = tan(kθ), the details of calculating the intercepts with the x and y axis
are given.
There are many x-intercepts; each one ishalfway between the asymptotes.
The y-intercept is calculated as follows:
y = tan(kθ)
yint = tan(0)
= 0
Asymptotes
The graph of tan kθ has asymptotes becauseas kθ approaches 90 ◦, tan kθ approaches infinity. In other
words, there is no defined value of the functionat the asymptote values.