Cosine-squared function

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This function, denoted \cos^2, is defined as the composite of the square function and the cosine function. Explicitly, it is the map:

x \mapsto (\cos x)^2

For brevity, we write (\cos x)^2 as \cos^2x.

Key data

Item Value
Default domain all real numbers, i.e., all of \R.
range [0,1], i.e., \{ y \mid 0 \le y \le 1 \}.
period \pi, i.e., 180\,^\circ.
local maximum values and points of attainment All local maximum values are equal to 1, and they are attained at integer multiples of \pi.
local minimum values and points of attainment All local minimum values are equal to 0, and they are attained at odd integer multiples of \pi/2.
points of inflection (both coordinates) odd multiples of \pi/4, with value 1/2 at each point
derivative x \mapsto -\sin (2x) i.e., negative of the double-angle sine function.
second derivative x \mapsto -2 \cos(2x)
higher derivatives 2^{n - 1} times an expression that is \pm \sin or \pm \cos of 2x, depending on the remainder of n mod 4.
antiderivative \frac{x}{2} + \frac{\sin(2x)}{4} + C
mean value over a period 1/2
expression as a sinusoidal function plus a constant function (1/2) + (\cos(2x))/2
important symmetries even function
More generally, has mirror symmetry about all vertical lines x = n\pi/2, n an integer.
Also, has half turn symmetry about all points of the form (n \pi/2 + \pi/4,1/2), i.e., all points of inflection.
interval description based on increase/decrease and concave up/down For each integer n, the interval from n\pi to (n+1)\pi is subdivided into four parts:
(n\pi,n\pi + \pi/4): decreasing and concave down
(n\pi + \pi/4,n\pi + \pi/2): decreasing and concave up
(n\pi + \pi/2,n\pi + 3\pi/4): increasing and concave up
(n\pi + 3\pi/4, (n+1)\pi): increasing and concave down.