The equation can be written as #a sin(b(x-c)) + d#. For sin and cos (but not tan) #|a|# is the amplitude, #(2pi)/|b|# is the period, and #c# and #d# are the phase shifts. #c# is the phase shift to the right (positive #x# direction) and #d# is the phase shift up (positive #y# direction). Hope this helps!