i have a question about graphing trig functions

[abel muroi]

I was given this problem y = 3 * sin (theta - 1) and was told to graph it.

My question is... what does the -1 inside the () do to the angle theta? does it decrease the angle by 1 degree?

 

[Ishuda]

I was given this problem y = 3 * sin (theta - 1) and was told to graph it.

My question is... what does the -1 inside the () do to the angle theta? does it decrease the angle by 1 degree?

Generally the argument of the trig functions are given in radians [180/\(\displaystyle \pi\)~57.3 degrees] so I would be inclined to think it was 1 radian. However, it more depends on what you have been using as a standard. Has you class/instructor been using degrees without mentioning the fact that they are degrees, for example expressing \(\displaystyle \theta\) in degrees without mentioning that theta is in degrees? If so, the 1 may mean decrease by 1 degree rather than decrease by 1 radian.