Cosine Wave
1. **Stating the problem:** We are given the function $y = 2 \cos x$ and want to understand its behavior and graph.
2. **Formula and explanation:** The cosine function $\cos x$ oscillates between $-1$ and $1$ with period $2\pi$. Multiplying by 2 scales the amplitude to oscillate between $-2$ and $2$.
3. **Key properties:**
- Amplitude: $2$
- Period: $2\pi$
- The function starts at $y=2$ when $x=0$ because $\cos 0 = 1$
- It crosses the x-axis when $\cos x = 0$, i.e., at $x = \frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2}, \ldots$
4. **Intermediate work:**
- At $x=0$, $y=2 \cos 0 = 2 \times 1 = 2$
- At $x=\frac{\pi}{3}$, $y=2 \cos \frac{\pi}{3} = 2 \times \frac{1}{2} = 1$
- At $x=\frac{2\pi}{3}$, $y=2 \cos \frac{2\pi}{3} = 2 \times (-\frac{1}{2}) = -1$
- At $x=\pi$, $y=2 \cos \pi = 2 \times (-1) = -2$
5. **Explanation:** The graph oscillates smoothly between $2$ and $-2$ with zeros at $x=\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2}, \ldots$. The x-axis labeling from $0$ to $\frac{10\pi}{3}$ covers multiple periods.
**Final answer:** The function $y=2\cos x$ is a cosine wave with amplitude 2 and period $2\pi$, oscillating between $-2$ and $2$ as described.