1. Lesson 3

Mathematics 30-2 Module 6

Module 6: Sinusoidal Functions

 

Lesson 3: Equations of Sinusoidal Functions

 

Focus

 

This diagram shows Earth travelling in an elliptical path around the Sun.

Hemera/Thinkstock

Earth follows an elliptical path around the Sun. The path is
exaggerated in this diagram.

The distance from Earth to the Sun is not a constant. Earth is closest to the Sun on approximately January 4 and farthest away from the Sun on about June 4. Earth’s distance from the Sun can be approximated by the equation , where D represents the distance in millions of kilometres and n represents the number of days into the year.

 

By just looking at the function, what information can you determine? Can you estimate the maximum distance Earth is from the Sun on about June 4? What about the distance on January 4?

 

In this lesson you will explore how the equation of a sinusoidal function is related to characteristics of that function.

 

Lesson Outcomes

 

At the end of this lesson you will be able to

  • describe the characteristics of a sinusoidal function by analyzing its equation
  • match a sinusoidal equation to its graph
Lesson Question

 

You will investigate the following question: How are the characteristics of a sinusoidal function related to its equation?

 

Assessment

 

Your assessment may be based on a combination of the following tasks:

  • completion of the Lesson 3 Assignment (Download the Lesson 3 Assignment and save it in your course folder now.)
  • course folder submissions from Try This and Share activities
  • additions to Glossary Terms and Formula Sheet