Period of periodic functions

periodic functionstrigonometry

If I have a function $f(x) = \cos(x) + \sin(x)$ from graphing software, I know the period is $2 \pi$, but can that be shown algebraically? I understand why $\cos(x) = \cos(x + 2 \pi) $ and why $\sin(x) = \sin(x + 2\pi)$.

Moreover, what would the periods of $g(x) = \sin(x) + \tan(x)$ and $h(x) = \sin(x)\tan(x)$ be?

Best Answer

Each function's period obviously divides $2\pi$. Let's take it from there.

As Michal Zapala has noted, $f=\sqrt{2}\sin(x+\frac{\pi}{4})$ has period $2\pi$.

Since $g=\tan x\,(1+\cos x)$ cannot return to its $x=0$ value of $0$ until $\tan x=0$ at multiples of $\pi$ or $\cos x =-1$ at odd multiples of $\pi$, $\pi$ divides the period, so it's $\pi$ or $2\pi$. But $x\mapsto x+\pi$ changes the sign of $g$, so the period will have to be $2\pi$ after all.

Similarly, since $h(x)=h(0)\implies \tan x = 0\implies \pi | x$, $h$ has period $\pi$ or $2\pi$. In fact this time the period is $\pi$, since $h(x+\pi)=h(x)$.