Shape of Cosine Function

Theorem

The cosine function is:

$(1): \quad$ strictly decreasing on the interval $\closedint 0 \pi$
$(2): \quad$ strictly increasing on the interval $\closedint \pi {2 \pi}$
$(3): \quad$ concave on the interval $\closedint {-\dfrac \pi 2} {\dfrac \pi 2}$
$(4): \quad$ convex on the interval $\closedint {\dfrac \pi 2} {\dfrac {3 \pi} 2}$


Proof


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From the discussion of Real Cosine Function is Periodic, we know that:

$\cos x \ge 0$ on the closed interval $\closedint {-\dfrac \pi 2} {\dfrac \pi 2}$

and:

$\cos x > 0$ on the open interval $\openint {-\dfrac \pi 2} {\dfrac \pi 2}$

From the same discussion, we have that:

$\map \sin {x + \dfrac \pi 2} = \cos x$

So immediately we have that $\sin x \ge 0$ on the closed interval $\closedint 0 \pi$, $\sin x > 0$ on the open interval $\openint 0 \pi$.

But $\map {\dfrac \d {\d x} } {\cos x} = -\sin x$ from Derivative of Cosine Function.

Thus from Derivative of Monotone Function, $\cos x$ is strictly decreasing on $\closedint 0 \pi$.


From Derivative of Sine Function it follows that:

$\map {\dfrac {\d^2} {\d x^2} } {\cos x} = -\cos x$

On $\closedint {-\dfrac \pi 2} {\dfrac \pi 2}$ where $\cos x \ge 0$, therefore, $\map {\dfrac {\d^2} {\d x^2} } {\cos x} \le 0$.

From Second Derivative of Concave Real Function is Non-Positive it follows that $\cos x$ is concave on $\closedint {-\dfrac \pi 2} {\dfrac \pi 2}$.


The rest of the result follows similarly.

$\blacksquare$


Graph of Cosine Function


Also see


Sources

  • 1968: Murray R. Spiegel: Mathematical Handbook of Formulas and Tables ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 5$: Trigonometric Functions: Signs and Variations of Trigonometric Functions
  • 1977: K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 16.5 \ (1)$