Interference...

If two waves of approximately equal amplitude are superimposed, when the crests coincide (that is, when they are in phase), the resulting amplitude will be equal to twice the individual amplitudes.  This is called constructive interference.

In-phase waves =
Waves in phase Constructive interference

If the two waves are in antiphase (in other words, a crest and a trough coincide), the resultant amplitude will be zero. This is called destructive interference.

Out-of-phase waves =
Waves in antiphase Destructive interference

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