MAT 172 – CHAPTER 5: WEATHER APPLICATION

This activity will show how a trigonometric graph can be used in a real-world application. You will
need Internet access to complete this activity. You will also need a basic knowledge of trigonometric
graphs. (Refer back to 5.2 of your notes/book if you need help)

Real Data to Model

1. This data was found online at the Weather Underground webpage -
www.wunderground.com using the Historical Weather data for Mocksville, NC.
Complete the rest of the table following instructions in class.
2. We will look at monthly maximum temperature averages instead of daily as shown in
the table below:

2017 2018
Avg Max
Data Value Month Avg Max Temp Data Value Month
Temp
0 Jan 59 12 Jan
1 Feb 68 13 Feb
2 Mar 68 14 Mar
3 Apr 78 15 Apr
4 May 76 16 May
5 Jun 78 17 Jun
6 Jul 82 18 Jul
7 Aug 82 19 Aug
8 Sept 76 20 Sept
9 Oct 78 21 Oct
10 Nov 64 22 Nov
11 Dec 59 23 Dec

Graph Data
3. Use the attached grid to sketch a graph of the recorded data.
4. Label the x-axis with the corresponding Data Value for each month as shown in the
table. (Note that it will start at 0 and end at 23).
5. Label the y-axis in increments of 5 starting at 0 and ending at 90. This will represent
the temperature in °F.
6. Sketch the plot for each data value (Data Value, Avg Temp). Most points you will have
to estimate the position on the graph, but you should be able to get pretty close.
(30 pts for correctly plotted data)
Follow-Up Questions About the Graph
1. Does the average monthly temperature for Mocksville, NC demonstrate a repetitious
behavior? Yes No
Explain your answer. (4 pts)

2. What type of trigonometric function do you think the graph represents?

Explain your answer. (4 pts)

Create a General Trigonometric Equation from Graph

(6 pts for finding each: A, B, C, D and final equation in #1 - 7)
1. We are going to create the following equation y  A sin[ B( x  C )]  D using estimates
from our paper graph.
2. As a class, we will consider this a sine graph for consistency.
3. First, we will calculate the amplitude (or height) of the graph. The formula to calculate
1
this is: maximum y_value - minimum y_value . From your graph or the table of
2
data, state the following: max. y-value = ________ min. y-value = ______
Now calculate A (amplitude)

A = _________

4. Draw a horizontal line on your graph showing where the amplitude starts. To do this you
will take your max y-value and subtract off the amplitude or you can take your min. y-
value and add the amplitude. This value is also the vertical translation, how much your
graph is shifted up or down from the origin (or the D value in the general equation). Draw
a horizontal line through this value and across your curve. State the value below.

D = _________

5. Now we will find the Period of the function. By the graph, we know that our graph
represents two cycles because it is showing two years. The period of the graph would be
one cycle or one year, which is P = ________ months. We can find B using the value of
2
the period. The period formula is: P  . Plug in the value of P and solve for B. Keep
B
your answer in terms of pi. Show any work below.

B = _________
6. To find the Phase Shift of the Function, draw a vertical line at the beginning of the
graph where you think the sine curve should start (through the first coordinate that is
closest to the horizontal line already drawn and matches the true shape of the curve).
The two lines will cross at the new origin for your graph creating a nice sine curve that
starts at the new intersection and goes up and down the height of the amplitude. This
line will also help you calculate the phase shift. State the number of units that the
original curve must shift to get to this new point on the vertical line. You must also
know if it shifts right or left in order to know how to write it in the general equation.

C = _________

7. Write the final equation of the function. y  A sin[ B( x  C )]  D (2pts)

y = _____________________________________

8. Graph the function on a graphing calculator. Make sure to set your window correctly
based on the dimensions of your grid – x goes from 0 to 23 and y goes from 0 to 80 by
5. The calculator should be in Radian Mode. How does the graph compare to your
original plotted data? __________________________________________________
(2 pts)
9. Use the final equation in #7 and the table in your calculator to predict the average
temperature for the month of January 2019. Prediction: _______________
(4 pts)
10. Plot the data values on your calculator by following the steps below.
TI 83/84
● Press STAT → Enter on 1:Edit → Type 0 through 23 in L1 and type the matching
data values in L2.
TI 84+
● Iterations: 3; Period – complete using your calculation  Calculate

● Press 2nd Y= to get to the StatPlot menu → Press Enter on 1:Plot1 → Press Enter on
On → Choose the Scatterplot and make sure the x and ylist says L1 and L2.
● Press Zoom → Choose 9:ZoomStat
(2 pts)
Describe how the graph in y= compares to the sketch of your data? _________
__________________________________________________________________
11. Calculate the sinusoidal regression model by following the steps below.
● Press STAT → Calc → C:SinReg → Press ENTER.
● On the Home Screen or beside StoreRegEq: Complete the following to get the
regression equation in Y=. Beside SinReg, press VARS → Y-Vars → 1:Function →
2:Y2 → ENTER and Press ENTER again on Home screen to get the calculation.
Round each value to two decimal places.

State the Sine Regression Equation: ____________________________________

(8 pts)
 12. Use the regression equation to predict the average temperature for the month of
January 2019. Prediction: _______________
(4 pts)

The weather website www.wunderground.com states the actual average max

temperature so far for January 2019 is 57 degrees. How good were your predictions?
(From #9 and #12)
(4 pts)

13. State a reason the prediction may not be correct. (4 pts)

Suppose we modeled the situation with a cosine graph instead.

Show ALL work below.
1. What would the cosine equation be (Think about how the sin curve and cos curve
compare to each other; what are A, B, C, and D)? (6 pts)

2. Would you get the same value for the January 2019 predicted temperature using the
equation above? (4 pts)
 Average Max Monthly Temperatures in °F
Data Value Representing Month