Question

Sinusoidal graphs may occur in everyday life. Examples of sinusoidal graphs can be found in wave patterns, temperature patterns over extended period of times, or the pattern of swinging on a tree.

Required:
a. Find a real-world situation that can be represented by a sinusoidal function. You may find something online that represents a sinusoidal graph or you can create a sinusoidal graph yourself with a measuring tape and a rope.
b. Provide a graph complete with labels and units for the x- and y-axes.
c. Describe the amplitude, period, and vertical shift in terms of the real-world situation.

Answer 1

a. An example of a real situation that can be represented by a sinusoidal function is a Ferris wheel

b. The graph of the sinusoidal function representing the Ferris wheel created with Microsoft Excel is attached

c. The amplitude is the radius of the Ferris wheel

The period is the time it takes to complete one cycle

The vertical shift is the height of the wheel above ground

Explanation: