Mysterious Trig Function

Geometry Level 3

Given the graph above of y = A sin ( x ) + B cos ( x ) y = \color{#D61F06}{A}\sin(x)+\color{#3D99F6}{B}\cos(x) for integers A \color{#D61F06}{A} and B , \color{#3D99F6}{B}, find A B . \color{#D61F06}{A}-\color{#3D99F6}{B}.


The answer is -1.

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1 solution

Eli Ross Staff
Oct 11, 2015

The amplitude of this graph is A 2 + B 2 = 5. \sqrt{A^2+B^2} = 5. We also have y ( 0 ) = A sin ( 0 ) + B cos ( 0 ) = B = 4. y(0) = A\sin(0)+B\cos(0) = B = 4. Thus, B = 4 B=4 and A = ± 3. A=\pm 3.

To determine the sign of A A we can look at y ( π 2 ) . y(\frac{\pi}{2}). It is clearly positive, so A = 3. A=3. Thus, A B = 3 4 = 1. A-B = 3-4=-1.

Moderator note:

Good usage of the various characteristics of the graph to determine these values.

can you tell me how you figured out what the amplitude of the graph was? thanks!!!

Willia Chang - 4 years, 11 months ago

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