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Glite Dictionary
cosine curve

cosine curve

7.4
A smooth repeating wave line that follows the equation y = a cos x
  • noun
  • /ˈkoʊsaɪn kɜrv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : curva de coseno
  • When plotted, the cosine curve resembles a smooth wave that oscillates between 1 and -1.

Examples

  • The graph of a cosine curve shows a series of peaks and valleys that repeat over a fixed interval.

  • In mathematics, a cosine curve is often used to model periodic phenomena like sound waves.

  • I'm adding a a cosine curve and a sine curve and it goes up.

Surface Forms

cosine curve singular
cosine curves plural

Morphology

cosine + curve

The meaning is directly compositional: 'cosine' names a specific trigonometric function and 'curve' denotes a plotted or continuous shape, so a 'cosine curve' is naturally understood as the curve produced by the cosine function. This follows standard mathematical naming conventions (cross-linguistically common), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Cosine curve comes from the parts co- and sine, where co- shows it is the 'other' partner of sine. The cosine curve is the same smooth wave as the sine curve but moved so it starts at the top, and that picture explains why we call this wave the 'cosine' curve today.