Working with Reciprocal Trig Functions

There are no specific keys or menu items on the graphing calculator for the secant, cosecant and cotangent functions.  Consequently, you will have to use your knowledge of these functions when working with them on the graphing calculator.

 

First, remember that:    

With the calculator set to Degree mode, enter the expression.  Remember that the symbols for degrees and minutes are found under 2nd APPS (ANGLE).

Graph sec(x)

       Enter the function.              Set the MODE to Radian.        Choose ZOOM #7 ZTrig
             

"Wow!  Look!  It even graphed the asymptotes!!" N O T !!!!

NOTE:  Starting with the TI-84+ Operating System V 2.40, this problem no longer exists.

These vertical lines are not the asymptotes.  They are simply the calculator behaving as it should in "Connected" mode -- it is "connecting" the points.

Here is the graph in DOT mode. No asymptotes!!

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