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Exam Tips for Trigonometric Graphs

Part of Trig Graphs · GCSE GCSE Mathematics revision

This exam tips covers Exam Tips for Trigonometric Graphs within Trig Graphs for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Trig Graphs in Graphs for GCSE Mathematics with 11 exam-style questions and 11 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 8 of 11 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.

Topic position

Section 8 of 11

Practice

11 questions

Recall

11 flashcards

💡 Exam Tips for Trigonometric Graphs

  • Learn the 5 key points for each wave (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, 360°) — you can sketch from these alone
  • Period vs amplitude: period is the horizontal width of one cycle; amplitude is the vertical height from the midline
  • Multiple solutions: if asked to solve sin x = k or cos x = k in a range, always check for a second solution using symmetry
  • tan at 90°: always show the asymptote — the tan graph does NOT cross x = 90°
  • Transformation direction: sin(x + 30°) moves LEFT by 30° (inside bracket = opposite direction)

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Trig Graphs. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Exact Values — Must KnowWorked ExamplesThe Language of WavesThe Three Trigonometric Graphs — Quick Reference

Practice Questions for Trig Graphs

What is the period of the graph y = sin x?

  • A. 90°
  • B. 180°
  • C. 360°
  • D. 720°
1 markfoundation

Explain the relationship between the graphs of y = sin x and y = cos x.

2 markshigher

Quick Recall Flashcards

Describe the key features of the sine graph y = sin x
Shape: smooth wave (S-shaped repeating curve) Amplitude: 1 (max value = 1, min value = -1) Period: 360° (repeats every 360°) Passes through: (0, 0), (90°, 1), (180°, 0), (270°, -1), (360°, 0) Symmetry: origin symmetry (odd function)
How are the sine and cosine graphs related?
The cosine graph is the sine graph shifted 90° to the LEFT. cos x = sin(x + 90°) OR sin x = cos(x - 90°) Both have the same shape, amplitude and period — the cosine graph simply starts at its maximum (1) rather than at zero.

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Exact Values — Must Know

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Worked Examples