Modeling trig functions

Question

How are periodic phenomena relatively easy to model using trigonometric functions? What makes them difficult to model this way?

Answer 1

By definition, a periodic function has a period. In the most general trig function, y = A sin(Bx + C) + D, and B is associated with the period. The max and min values are associated with A. Any vertical shift off of y=0 is D. So this is why they are relatively easy.

The difficulty is if A is not constant, or D is not constant, or the function is not "curvy", then it will not fit very well.

Answer 2

The sin and cos functions are easy to model due to the periodicity. The extremities of variability can make difficult and more irregular the modeling.