1. The problem asks for the vertical shift of the function $$y = 4 \cos(x + \pi) - 2$$. 2. The general form of a cosine function with transformations is $$y = A \cos(B(x - C)) + D$$, where: - $A$ is the amplitude, - $B$ affects the period, - $C$ is the horizontal shift, - $D$ is the vertical shift. 3. In the given function, the vertical shift is represented by the constant term outside the cosine function, which is $$-2$$. 4. A vertical shift of $$-2$$ means the graph is shifted down by 2 units. 5. Therefore, the vertical shift is down 2.