Education Technology

Exploring Sinusoidal Functions

Subject Area
Math: AP Precalculus: Trigonometric and Polar Functions
Math: Precalculus: Trigonometric Laws and Identities
Level
9-12
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Exam Prep
Format
TNS

Exploring Sinusoidal Functions

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will approximate the zeros, minima, maxima, and period of sinusoidal functions by using the Transformation Graphing app.

About the Lesson

In this activity, students systematically explore the effect of the coefficients on the graphs of sinusoidal functions. Terminology describing the graph—amplitude, period, frequency, phase shift, midline, and vertical offset—is introduced, then reinforced as the student calculates these values directly from the graph using the graphing calculator and sliders.

*Note: This activity contains an optional AP Practice Questions document for those students preparing for the AP Precalculus Exam.

Subject Area
Math: AP Precalculus: Trigonometric and Polar Functions
Math: Precalculus: Trigonometric Laws and Identities
Level
9-12
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire CX series
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Exam Prep
Format
TNS
iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.