Cosine Exponential Formulation

Theorem
For any complex number $x$,


 * $ \displaystyle \cos x = \frac 1 2 \left({ e^{-i x} + e^{i x} }\right)$

where $\cos x$ is the cosine and $i^2 = -1$.

Proof from power series
Recall the definition of the cosine function:


 * $\displaystyle \cos x = \sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \left({-1}\right)^n \frac {x^{2n}}{\left({2n}\right)!} = 1 - \frac {x^2} {2!} + \frac {x^4} {4!} - \cdots$

Recall the definition of the exponential as a power series:


 * $\displaystyle e^x = \sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \frac {x^n}{n!} = 1 + x + \frac {x^2} 2 + \frac {x^3} 6 + \cdots$

Then, starting from the RHS:

Proof using Euler's Formula
Recall Euler's Formula:


 * $ \displaystyle e^{ix} = \cos x + i \sin x $

Then, starting from the RHS:

Also see

 * Sine Exponential Formulation