Period of a Function: Formulas & Examples

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Arpita Srivastava

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Periodic functions refer to the functions that are periodic and repeat their values at regular intervals. Graphically, the period of a function is represented as the time interval between two waves. 

  • Waves are represented to show the oscillating or periodic movement of the values of the periodic functions. 
  • The period of a function is always a positive number.
  • Aperiodic or non-periodic functions are functions that do not repeat or oscillate their values.
  • For a periodic function of the form, f(x+T)=f(x), the period of the function is T. 
  • It indicates that the function f(x) possesses the same values after an interval of x.
  • The formula for finding the period of a function is given as:

\(\frac{T}{\mid a \mid}\) or \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\),

  • where is the coefficient of the variable, x.

Key Terms: Periodic Functions, Period of a Function, Functions, Interval, Waves, Period, Oscillate, Algebraic Functions, Trigonometric Functions, Real Numbers, Domain


Fundamental Period of a Function

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Periodic functions are functions that have oscillating or periodic values; that is, the values are repetitive. While plotting a periodic function graphically, the period of a function is represented using the waves.

  • The period is the time interval between two waves.
  • It is also known as a cyclic function or periodic waveform.
  • The repeated part of the function is called the cycle.
  • It is used in the field of science to describe the oscillation of waveform.

In general, a function is considered periodic if a positive real number T exists such that f (x+T) = f (x) for all x in the domain of f. T is the representation for the period of the function.

Example of Fundamental Period of a Function

Example: Given a periodic function, sin(x+2\(\prod\)) = sinx. The period of the given function, T = 2\(\prod\).


How to find Period of a Function?

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Steps to calculate period of a function are as follows:

  • A function is known as periodic function if it represent over a constant period of time.
  • If the period of a function f(x+T)=f(x) is given by T, then the period of the function of the form, f(ax+b)+c is given as \(\frac{T}{\mid a \mid}\) or \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)
  • Period indicates the time interval between occurences of two wave.
  • If f(x) has a period of T1 and g(x) has a period of T2, the period of both the functions f(x) and g(x) are given by the LCM of T1 and T2.

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Periods of a Trigonometric Functions

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The periodic function can be represented graphically. When a trigonometric function is plotted on the graph, then it will form a regularly-repeating wave that resembles the periodic function.

  • The length of one complete cycle on a trigonometric function is called a period.
  • The distance when two functions start repetition is known as the period of the function.
  • Sin, Cos and tan are three basic trigonometric functions.
  • These functions have a period of -2π, 2π and π respectively.

Period of a Sine Function

Consider a function f(x) = sin (xb), where b > 0 then the graph of the function forms complete cycle from 0 to 2π. The period of a sine function is given as 2π/b.

It can be tabulated as follows:

Category Data
Period π
Axis 0 [x-axis ]
Minimum value  -1
Domain { x : x ∈ R }
Range [ -1, 1]
Amplitude 1
Maximum value  1

Period of a Tan Function

Consider a function f(x) = tan (xb), where b > 0 then the graph of the function forms complete cycle from -π/2, 0 and π/2. The period of a tan function is given as π/b.

Period of a Function-01.jpg

Periods of Some Standard Periodic Functions


Things to Remember

  • Period of a function refers to the distance between repetitive function.
  • It is divided into two categories namely periodic function and aperiodic function.
  • Functions that have repeating values are called periodic functions.
  • The functions that do not have repeating values are called aperiodic functions.
  • Trigonometric functions such as sinx, cosx, cosecx, tanx, etc are examples of periodic functions.
  • Algebraic functions such as x,x2,, x3, x+2 are aperiodic functions.
  • For the standard periodic function of the form, f(x+T)=f(x), the period of the function is given by T.

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Sample Questions

Ques. What is the period of the function sin4x + tan2x (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, sin4x + tan2x

The period of sin4x = \(\frac{\prod}{2}\)

Also, the period of tan2x = \(\frac{\prod}{2}\)

Hence, we find that the period of the function sin4x + tan2x is \(\frac{\prod}{2}\)

Ques. Find the period of the function f(x) = 6 cos5x  (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, f(x) = 6 cos5x

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=5

Hence, the period of the function f(x) = 6 cos5x is \(\frac{2 \prod}{5}\)

Ques. What is the period of the function 9 sin (6x+5) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, 9 sin (6x+5)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a = 6

Hence, the period of the function 9 sin (6x+5) is \(\frac{2 \prod}{6}\) or \(\frac{\prod}{3}\)

Ques. What is the period of the function y= 2 sin (3x+1) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y= 2 sin (3x+1)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=3

Hence, the period of the function y = 2 sin(3x+1) is \(\frac{2 \prod}{3}\)

Ques. What is the period of the function y = sin (-2x+1) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y = sin (-2x+1)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

In the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a= -2

We know that the period is always a positive number.

So, the period of the function y = sin(-2x+1) is \(??\frac{2 \prod}{-2}\) = 2\(\prod\)

Hence, the period of the function y = sin(-2x+1) is 2\(\prod\)

Ques. Is it possible to find the period of the function y = log (2x)  (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the given function, y = log (2x)

Here, y = log (2x) is a logarithmic function.

We know that a logarithmic function is never periodic as they cannot repeat themselves. The logarithmic functions either increase or decrease.

Hence, the logarithmic function,y = log (2x) is not a periodic function and it is not possible to find its period.

Ques. Find the period of the function sinx + sin2x (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, sinx + sin2x

The period of sinx = 2\(\prod\)

Also, the period of sin2x =\(\prod\)

The LCM of and 2 is 2\(\prod\)

Hence, we find that the period of the function sinx + sin2x is 2\(\prod\)

Ques. What is the period of the function y = 2sinx (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y= 2 sinx

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=1

Hence, the period of the function y= 2 sinx is 2\(\prod\)

 Ques. What is the period of the function f(x) = cos (7x-5) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, f(x) = cos (7x-5)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=7

Hence, the period of the function f(x) = cos (7x-5) is \(\frac{2\prod}{7}\)

Ques. Find the period of the function y = sinx + cos3x  (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y = sinx + cos3x

The period of sinx = 2\(\prod\)

Also, the period of cos3x = \(\frac{2\prod}{3}\)

The LCM of 2 and \(\frac{2\prod}{3}\) is 2\(\prod\)

Hence, the period of the function y = sinx + cos3x is 2\(\prod\)

Ques. What is the period of the function y = 5 cos3x (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y = 5 cos3x

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=3

Hence, the period of the functiony = 5 cos3x is \(\frac{2\prod}{3}\)

Ques. Find the period of the function f(x) = cot3x – cos(4x+3) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, f(x) = cot3x  – cos(4x+3)

The period of cot3x = \(\frac{\prod}{3}\)

Also, the period of cos(4x+3) = \(\frac{\prod}{2}\)

The LCM of \(\frac{\prod}{3}\) and \(\frac{\prod}{2}\) is \(\prod\)

Hence, the period of the function f(x) = cot3x – cos(4x+3) is \(\prod\)

Ques. Find the period of the function y = 3 cos(-6x+2) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y = 3 cos(-6x+2)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

In the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a = -6

We know that the period is always a positive number.

So, the period of the function y = 3 cos(-6x+2) is \(\frac{2\prod}{-6}\) = \(\frac{\prod}{3}\)

Hence, the period of the function y = 3 cos(-6x+2) is \(\frac{\prod}{3}\)

Ques. Find the period of the function y = sin\(\frac{x}{2}\) – cos\(\frac{x}{3}\) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y = sin\(\frac{x}{2}\) - cos\(\frac{x}{3}\)

The period of sin\(\frac{x}{2}\) = 4\(\prod\)

Also, the period of cos\(\frac{x}{3}\) = 6\(\prod\)

The LCM of 4\(\prod\) and 6\(\prod\) is 12\(\prod\)

Hence, the period of the function y = sin\(\frac{x}{2}\) – cos\(\frac{x}{3}\) is 12\(\prod\)

Ques. Find the period of the function f(x) = 5cos4x  (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, f(x) = 5 cos4x

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=4

Hence, the period of the function f(x) = 5 cos4x is \(\frac{2 \prod}{4}\)

Ques. What is the period of the function 10 sin (5x+8) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, 10 sin (5x+8)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a = 5

Hence, the period of the function 10 sin (5x + 8) is \(\frac{2 \prod}{5}\)

Ques. What is the period of the function y= 12 sin (3x+10) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y= 12 sin (3x+10)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=3

Hence, the period of the function y = 12 sin(3x+10) is \(\frac{2 \prod}{3}\)

Ques. Is it possible to find the period of the function y = log (3x)  (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the given function, y = log 32x)

Here, y = log (3x) is a logarithmic function.

We know that a logarithmic function is never periodic as they cannot repeat themselves. The logarithmic functions either increase or decrease.

Hence, the logarithmic function,y = log (3x) is not a periodic function and it is not possible to find its period.

Ques. What is the period of the function y= sin (13x+9) (2 Marks)

Ans. We have the periodic function, y= sin (13x+9)

The formula for finding periodic function is given as, \(\frac{2 \prod}{\mid a \mid}\)

Here, in the given periodic function, the coefficient of x or a=13

Hence, the period of the function y = sin(13x+9) is \(\frac{2 \prod}{13}\)


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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    If \( xy = e^{x - y} \), then find \( \frac{dy}{dx} \).


      • 2.

        A carpenter needs to design a wooden box in the shape of a cuboid such that the sum of its length and breadth is 3 cm more than its height. Twice of its length, thrice of its breadth and its height add up to 10 cm. Its breadth added to 7 times its height is 1 cm less than 3 times its length. 


          • 3.
            Find:

            The shortest distance between the lines: \[ \vec{r}=(4+\lambda)\hat{i}+(2\lambda-1)\hat{j}-3\lambda\hat{k} \] and \[ \vec{r}=(1+2\mu)\hat{i}+(4\mu-1)\hat{j}+(2-5\mu)\hat{k} \]


              • 4.
                Find:

                If the function \[ f(x)= \begin{cases} \frac{\sin x}{x}+\cos x, & x\neq0\\ k, & x=0 \end{cases} \] is continuous at \(x=0\), then find the value of \(k\).

                  • \(0\)
                  • \(-2\)
                  • \(-1\)
                  • \(2\)

                • 5.
                  Which of the following equations is NOT a Linear Differential Equation?

                    • \((1 + x^2) \, dy + 2xy \, dx = \cot x \, dx\)
                    • \(y + \frac{d}{dx}(xy) = x(\sin x + \log x)\)
                    • \(x(1 + y^2) \, dx - y(1 + x^2) \, dy = 0\)
                    • \(y \, dx - (x + 3y^2) \, dy = 0\)

                  • 6.
                    Find:

                    The principal value of \[ \sec^{-1}(\sqrt{2})+2\csc^{-1}(-2) \] is:

                      • \(-\frac{\pi}{2}\)
                      • \(-\frac{\pi}{4}\)
                      • \(\frac{\pi}{4}\)
                      • \(\frac{\pi}{2}\)
                    CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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