How do you graph # y=3-cosx#?

1 Answer
Alan P.
Nov 4, 2017

Plot #cos(x)#
then reflect in the X-axis to get #-cos(x)#
and finally shift all point up #3# units to get #3-cos(x)#

Explanation:

I have assumed that you are familiar with the graph for #color(red)(y=cos(x))#:
enter image source here

Reflecting this in the X-axis causes every #y# coordinate to be come the negative of what it was for #color(grey)(y=cos(x))#;
that is we get #color(red)(y=-cos(x))#
enter image source here

Then adding #3# to every #y# coordinate increases each #y# value of #color(grey)(y=-cos(x))# by #3# to give #color(red)(y=3-cos(x))#
enter image source here

Related questions
See all questions in Translating Sine and Cosine Functions
Impact of this question
26247 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License