Easy question about graphing a cos function

mybrohshi5 · #1 $Old$ September 21st, 2009, 06:54 PM

How to graph y=(cos^2)(x)

i know there is a way to rewrite this function so i can plug it into my calculator to graph it but i dont remember how to rewrite it.

is it maybe something like y=2cosx or maybe y=cosx^2????

thank you

chad

skeeter · #2 $Old$ September 21st, 2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mybrohshi5 $View Post$

How to graph y=(cos^2)(x)

i know there is a way to rewrite this function so i can plug it into my calculator to graph it but i dont remember how to rewrite it.

is it maybe something like y=2cosx or maybe y=cosx^2????

thank you

chad

if using a TI, the correct syntax is ... $Y_1 = \cos(x)^2$

or use the power reduction identity ...

$\cos^2{x} = \frac{1+\cos(2x)}{2}$

mybrohshi5 · #3 $Old$ September 21st, 2009, 07:09 PM

Awesome. thank you =)