What is is cos^2x the same as cosx^2?

cos²x and cos x² are not the same. Here's a breakdown:

• cos²x (or (cos x)²): This means the square of the cosine of x. First, you evaluate the cosine of x, and then you square the result. See this for more information: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/trigonometrik%20fonksiyonlar.

• cos x² (or cos(x²)): This means the cosine of x squared. First, you square x, and then you evaluate the cosine of that result. See this for more information: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/açı.

The order of operations matters. Trigonometric functions like cosine are applied after exponents when the exponent is directly on the argument (the 'x' in cos x). When the exponent is on the trigonometric function itself, it means the entire function's value is raised to that power.