What is the period of y= 3cos (2x)?

2 Answers
May 20, 2018

pi

Explanation:

When looking at a generic trigonometric function

y = Acos(omega x + phi) + beta

the only factor involving the periodicity is omega, i.e. the factor multiplying the variable. The formula for the period T is

T = \frac{2pi}{omega}

So. in your case,

T = \frac{2pi}{2} = pi

May 20, 2018

pi

Explanation:

The equation is in the general form of y=acosbx
Where:
a = amplitude
b = used to find the period (T)

Since this graph is cosine, then the period (T) is (2pi)/n
The period is also the same for sine. However, it is different for tan. The period for tan is pi/n

Why?
The period of a graph is basically asking you how long it takes for a graph to complete one oscillation ie how long does the graph take to return to its original position. So for sine and cosine, it takes 2pi seconds to complete one round but for tan, it takes pi seconds only

SO, the period for this graph is:
period(T) = (2pi)/n = (2pi)/2 = pi