Introduction
Secant (sec)
- the secant graph is symmetrical about the y-axis
- it repeats itself every 360 degrees- period 2Π
- y can vary between numbers approaching infinity and minus infinity
- asymptotes start at + and - 90 degrees(Π/2) and at continue at intervals of 180 degrees(Π) after that
- the asymptotes also correspond to the x-intercepts for cos(x)
- the minima along the x-axis correspond to the maxima of the cosine function(and vice versa)
Cosecant (cosec)
- the cosecant graph is NOT symmetrical about the y-axis
- it repeats itself every 360 degrees - period 2Π
- y can vary between numbers approaching infinity and minus infinity
- asymptotes start at zero and + and - 180 degrees(Π) and at intervals of 180 degrees(Π) after that
- the asymptotes also correspond to the x-intercepts for sin(x)
- the minima along the x-axis correspond to the maxima of the sine function(and vice versa)
Cotangent (cot)
- the cotangent graph is NOT symmetrical about the y-axis
- it repeats itself every 180 degrees - period Π
- y can vary between numbers approaching infinity and minus infinity
- asymptotes start at zero and + and - 180 degrees(Π) and at intervals of 180 degrees(Π) after that
- the x-asymptotes correspond to the x-intercepts of the function y = tan(x)
- y = tan(x) and y = cot(x) face in opposit directions - (tan has a positive gradient while cot is negative)
