Is cotangent the same is -tangent when graphing?
3 Answers
- MathguyLv 52 months ago
cot x = - tan ( x - π/2 ) or ( x + π/2)
The cotangent can be made from a tangent graph by either horizontally shifting tangent left or right by π/2 , THEN reflecting it across the x-axis [ thus the - sign ].
- JohnathanLv 72 months ago
No, they're different graphs.
The cotangent function has vertical asymptotes where sine is 0; i.e., every pi. The function value is 0 wherever cosine is 0 (every pi/2). Between each asymptote the function value from left to right decreases without limit.
The -tangent function is a lateral shift of pi/2 in relation to the cotangent function, so its vertical asymptotes are where cosine is 0 (every pi/2) and the value is 0 where sine is 0 (every pi). Between each asymptote the function value from left to right decreases without limit, so one *could* say these graphs are parallel (though that usually is reserved for linear functions).