You are here:

Calculus/Period of a trigonometric function.

Advertisement


Question
The fundamental period of 2cos(3x) is 2pie/3 but why?

Answer
Questioner:   Mayra
Category:  Calculus

Subject:  Fundamental Period
Question:  The fundamental period of 2cos(3x) is 2pi/3 but why?
................................................
Hi, Mayra,

The fundamental period is based on the 'argument' reaching 2pi.  The argument is the quantity to which you apply the function, and in this case it is 3x.

Just set the argument equal to 2pi and solve for x.

3x = 2pi,  gives x = 2pi/3

Calculus

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Paul Klarreich

Expertise

All topics in first-year calculus including infinite series, max-min and related rate problems. Also trigonometry and complex numbers, theory of equations, exponential and logarithmic functions. I can also try (but not guarantee) to answer questions on Analysis -- sequences, limits, continuity.

Experience

I taught all mathematics subjects from elementary algebra to differential equations at a two-year college in New York City for 25 years.

Education/Credentials
(See above.)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.