Question

Compare the functions shown below:
(picture below)
Which function has the greatest y-intercept?

Answer 1

@iambatman

Answer 2

Set x= to zero and compare value of the two functions. When you set x=0, the function is crossing the y-axis - hence the term, "y-intercept."

Recall that cos(0) = 1 and cos(0 - pi) = cos (-pi) = -1

Answer 3

I understand, but how do you get the function from the middle graph?

Answer 4

@ybarrap

Answer 5

If you want to find the function that matches the middle graph you need to first determine for this function, whether you are going to use cosine or sine.

Which function, cosine or sine, is smaller at x=0?

Answer 6

I got -5 and 7.13 for the other two... and I'm not sure which is smaller...

Answer 7

I mean I know what's smaller between -5 and 7.13 - but not cosine or sine

Answer 8

Which of these is similar to the function in your middle graph:


To determine which is small between -5 and 7.13 use the number line

I don't know how you got 7.13 from the second function.