Identify the repeating pattern in the function or graph
Find the horizontal distance over which the pattern repeats
For trigonometric functions, use the standard period formulas
For (y=sin(bx)) or (y=cos(bx)), period (=frac{2pi}{|b|})
For (y=tan(bx)) or (y=cot(bx)), period (=frac{pi}{|b|})
For (y=sec(bx)) or (y=csc(bx)), period (=frac{2pi}{|b|})
For transformed functions, account for shifts and stretches before finding the period
For a graph, measure the distance between two matching points in consecutive cycles
For a table of values, look for when the output pattern repeats
For a general periodic function, find the smallest positive (T) such that (f(x+T)=f(x))