Transformations of Sin and Cos with corresponding circle
This diagram shows the translations of sin and cos functions AND shows the effect on the related circle that generates the points. For example, an amplitude change relates to changing the radius of the related circle. Rigid transformations correspond to changing the center point of the circle. This is used for exploration.
The Box Method of Graphing This is a method used to help with graphing. the "box" contains one whole period of the graph. The height of the box is twice the amplitude, the length is the period. Students must know where along the left and right edges to start the graph. Cos graphs "start on the mountain" unless there is a horizontal or vertical reflection. The Sin curve "starts on the floor" but subsequent points change with horizontal or vertical reflections.