Graphing Sine, Cosine And Tangent Worksheet

Graphing sine, cosine and tangent at a glance

By entering different values of x into the equations y=sin(x), y=cos(x) and y=tan(x), we can plot the graphs of the trig functions sine, cosine and tangent. The graphs can also be created using a unit circle. 

We often plot the graphs for values of x from 0o to 360o but we can extend them to show any positive or negative angle. 

There are some special features of graphs of trigonometric functions. The graphs of sine and cosine both have an amplitude of 1 and period of 360o. The graph of the tangent function is different from the others and has a period of 180o and also an asymptote every 180o.

Once we have plotted the graphs of the sine function, cosine function and tangent function, we can use these to find solutions, or approximate solutions, to equations involving sin x, cos x or tan x.

Transformations of graphs can also be applied to sine graphs, cosine graphs and tangent graphs. They can undergo stretches, horizontal and vertical shifts and reflections in the same way that any other graph can.

Looking forward, students can then progress to additional geometry worksheets, for example a 3D shapes worksheet or an area of a triangle worksheet.

For more teaching and learning support on Geometry our GCSE maths lessons provide step by step support for all GCSE maths concepts.