How do you find the amplitude and period of #f(t)= -2 cos(3t)#?

1 Answer
Oct 24, 2015

Have a look at the numerical factors in your function:

Explanation:

The amplitude is given by the number #2# in front of your #cos# so that your function will oscillate between #+2# and #-2#;
The period can be found using the #3# inside the argument of #cos# as:
#period=(2pi)/color(red)(3)~~2.1rad# so your function repeats itself every #2.1# rads.
Graphically you can see these properties:
graph{-2cos(3x) [-11.25, 11.25, -5.63, 5.62]}