Question 510855:  hi, i need help learning how to graph tangent functions 
.. the function i was given was y= tan (x- pi/4) 
.. if anyone you help explain it to me and even show a graph, 
that would be great! 
thanks 
 Answer by lwsshak3(11628)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Graphing tangent functions 
I don't have the means to draw a graph but maybe I can show you how. 
given function: y= tan (x- pi/4) 
Standard equation for tangent function: y=tan(Bx-C), period=π/B, Phase shift=C/B 
For given function: 
B=1 
period=π/1=π 
1/4 period=π/4 
phase shift=C/B=(π/4)/1=π/4 (to the right) 
Graphing for one period: 
Without a phase shift, the curve of tanx would start at -π/2 and end at π/2 
tan(-π/2)=-∞(asymptote) 
tan(-π/4)=-1 
tan(0)=0 
tan(π/4)=1 
tan(π/2)=∞(asymptote) 
so, now you have these ordered pairs to draw the basic tanx function: 
(-π/2, -∞), (-π/4,-1), (0,0), (π/4,1), (π/2,∞) 
But since the curve has shifted π/4 radians, π/4 must be added to each x-coordinate to plot the given tan function, y= tan (x- pi/4), as follows: 
(-π/4, -∞), (0,-1), (π/4,0), (π/2,1), (3π/4,∞) 
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