What is the maximum value that the graph of #y=cos x# assumes?

2 Answers
Oct 5, 2014

#y=|A|cos(x)#, where #|A|# is the amplitude.

The cosine function oscillates between the values -1 to 1.

The amplitude of this particular function is understood to be 1.

#|A| = 1#

#y=1*cos(x)=cos(x)#

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The maximum value of the function #cos(x)# is #1#.

This result can be easily obtained using differential calculus.

First, recall that for a function #f(x)# to have a local maximum at a point #x_0# of it's domain it is necessary (but not sufficient) that #f^prime(x_0)=0#. Additionally, if #f^((2)) (x_0)<0# (the second derivative of f at the point #x_0# is negative) we have a local maximum.

For the function #cos(x)#:

#d/dx cos(x)=-sin(x)#

#d^2/dx^2 cos(x)=-cos(x)#

The function #-sin(x)# has roots at points of the form #x=n pi#, where #n# is an integer (positive or negative).

The function #-cos(x)# is negative for points of the form #x= (2n+1) pi# (odd multiples of #pi#) and positive for points of the form #2n pi# (even multiples of #pi#).

Therefore, the function #cos(x)# has all it's maximums at the points of the form #x=(2n+1)pi#, where it takes the value #1#.