Graphing and Transforming Sine and Cosine Functions

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This comprehensive mathematics video provides a detailed guide to transforming sine and cosine functions. It systematically breaks down the standard equation y = a*sin(b(x-c)) + d, explaining how each variable affects the graph's shape and position. The video covers key concepts including amplitude, period, phase shifts, and vertical shifts, using clear visual comparisons between parent functions and their transformed counterparts to illustrate these abstract mathematical concepts. The content explores four main types of transformations: vertical stretches/compressions (amplitude), horizontal stretches/compressions (period), horizontal shifts (phase shifts), and vertical shifts (midline adjustments). It also clarifies the relationship between sine and cosine functions, demonstrating how they are essentially the same wave shifted by pi/2. Through step-by-step examples, the video teaches viewers both how to graph a function from a given equation and how to derive an equation from a given graph. For educators, this video is an excellent resource for Algebra II, Trigonometry, or Pre-Calculus units. It transitions from conceptual understanding to procedural fluency, offering pause points for students to predict graph characteristics before solutions are revealed. The inclusion of complex examples that combine multiple transformations makes it suitable for direct instruction, review, or a flipped classroom model, helping students bridge the gap between algebraic formulas and graphical representations.