Abstract
We derive the conditions under which dark energy models whose Lagrangian densities f are written in terms of the Ricci scalar R are cosmologically viable. We show that the cosmological behavior of f(R) models can be understood by a geometrical approach consisting in studying the m(r) curve on the (r, m) plane, where m=Rf_{,RR}/f_{,R} and r=-Rf_{,R}/f with f_{,R}=df/dR. This allows us to classify the f(R) models into four general classes, depending on the existence of a standard matter epoch and on the final accelerated stage. The existence of a viable matter dominated epoch prior to a late-time acceleration requires that the variable m satisfies the conditions m(r) approx+0 and dm/dr>-1 at r approx-1. For the existence of a viable late-time acceleration we require instead either (i) m=-r-1, (sqrt{3}-1)/2