TRIGDEMO

Allows user to see how parameters affect plots of trigonometric functions.

Description

Interactively explore how parameters affect trigonometric functions. TRIGDEMO allows user to manipulate the parameters A,B,C,D in the general equation:

y = y(x) = A trig(Bx + C) +D

Where trig is any one of sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, cotangent.

The inspiration for this was my participation in a discussion, during the course of which, it became clear that several very educated people didn't completely (reflexively) understand how these parameters affect the plot of trigonometric functions.

I figure if these folks were hesitant, there might be others out there who could use a little refresher.

For demonstration purposes only! This is not meant to be earth-shattering.

• MATLAB release: MATLAB 7.4 (R2007a)

[Oleg Komarov]

I think the plot should be centered on (0,0) and the axis should be dashed (or visible somehow).
Having a reference point when manipualting the function would help even more to understand its behaviour.

[Matt Fig]

Good idea Oleg. I seem to remember thinking I should do this when I wrote it, but rejecting the idea for some reason. I will think about it some more and update the file if I can't remember my initial reason for rejecting this idea.