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4 Elementary FunctionsTrigonometric Functions4.22 Infinite Products and Partial

Fractions4.24 Inverse Trigonometric Functions: Further Properties

4.23 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Contents

4.23(i) General Definitions

4.23(ii) Principal Values

4.23(iii) Reflection Formulas

4.23(iv) Logarithmic Forms

4.23(v) Fundamental Property

4.23(vi) Real and Imaginary Parts

4.23(vii) Special Values and Interrelations

 4.23(viii) Gudermannian Function

4.23(i) General Definitions

The general values of the inverse trigonometric functions are defined by

4.23.1 Arcsinz =0zdt(1-t2)1/2,

4.23.2 Arccosz =z1dt(1-t2)1/2,

4.23.3 Arctanz =0zdt1+t2,

zi,

4.23.4 Arccscz =Arcsin(1/z),

4.23.5 Arcsecz =Arccos(1/z),

4.23.6 Arccotz =Arctan(1/z).

In (4.23.1) and (4.23.2) the integration paths may not pass through either of the points t=1.
The function (1-t2)1/2 assumes its principal value when t(-1,1); elsewhere on the
integration paths the branch is determined by continuity. In (4.23.3) the integration path may
not intersect i. Each of the six functions is a multivalued function of z. Arctanz and Arccotz
have branch points at z=i; the other four functions have branch points at z=1.

4.23(ii) Principal Values

The principal values (or principal branches) of the inverse sine, cosine, and tangent are
obtained by introducing cuts in the z-plane as indicated in Figures 4.23.1(i) and 4.23.1(ii),
and requiring the integration paths in (4.23.1)(4.23.3) not to cross these cuts. Compare the
principal value of the logarithm (4.2(i)). The principal branches are denoted by arcsinz,
arccosz, arctanz, respectively. Each is two-valued on the corresponding cuts, and each is real
on the part of the real axis that remains after deleting the intersections with the corresponding
cuts.

The principal values of the inverse cosecant, secant, and cotangent are given by

4.23.7 arccscz =arcsin(1/z),

4.23.8 arcsecz =arccos(1/z).

4.23.9 arccotz =arctan(1/z),

zi.

These functions are analytic in the cut plane depicted in Figures 4.23.1(iii) and 4.23.1(iv).

Except where indicated otherwise, it is assumed throughout the DLMF that the inverse
trigonometric functions assume their principal values.

(iii) arccscz and

(i) arcsinz and arccosz (ii) arctanz (iv) arccotz
arcsecz
Figure 4.23.1: z-plane. Branch cuts for the inverse trigonometric functions.

Graphs of the principal values for real arguments are given in 4.15. This section also
includes conformal mappings, and surface plots for complex arguments.

4.23(iii) Reflection Formulas

4.23.10 arcsin(-z) =-arcsinz,

4.23.11 arccos(-z) =-arccosz.

4.23.12 arctan(-z) =-arctanz,

zi.

4.23.13 arccsc(-z) =-arccscz,

4.23.14 arcsec(-z) =-arcsecz.

4.23.15 arccot(-z) =-arccotz,

zi.

4.23.16 arccosz =12-arcsinz,

4.23.17 arcsecz =12-arccscz.

4.23.18 arccotz =12-arctanz,
z0.

4.23(iv) Logarithmic Forms

Throughout this subsection all quantities assume their principal values.

Inverse Sine

4.23.19 arcsinz=-iln((1-z2)1/2+iz),
z(-,-1)(1,);

compare Figure 4.23.1(i). On the cuts

4.23.20 arcsinx =12iln((x2-1)1/2+x),

x[1,),

4.23.21 arcsinx =-12iln((x2-1)1/2-x),

x(-,-1],

upper signs being taken on upper sides, and lower signs on lower sides.

Inverse Cosine

4.23.22 arccosz=12+iln((1-z2)1/2+iz),
z(-,-1)(1,);

compare Figure 4.23.1(i). An equivalent definition is

4.23.23 arccosz=-2iln((1+z2)1/2+i(1-z2)1/2),
z(-,-1)(1,);

see Kahan (1987).

On the cuts

4.23.24 arccosx =iln((x2-1)1/2+x),

x[1,),
4.23.25 arccosx =iln((x2-1)1/2-x),
x(-,-1],

the upper/lower signs corresponding to the upper/lower sides.

Inverse Tangent

4.23.26 arctanz=i2ln(i+zi-z),
z/i(-,-1][1,);

compare Figure 4.23.1(ii). On the cuts

4.23.27 arctan(iy)=12+i2ln(y+1y-1),
y(-,-1)(1,),

the upper/lower sign corresponding to the right/left side.

Other Inverse Functions

For the corresponding results for arccscz, arcsecz, and arccotz, use (4.23.7)(4.23.9). Care
needs to be taken on the cuts, for example, if 0<x< then 1/(x+i0)=(1/x)-i0.

4.23(v) Fundamental Property

With k, the general solutions of the equations

4.23.28 z =sinw,

4.23.29 z =cosw,

4.23.30 z =tanw,

are respectively

4.23.31 w =Arcsinz=(-1)karcsinz+k,

4.23.32 w =Arccosz=arccosz+2k,
4.23.33 w =Arctanz=arctanz+k,
zi.

4.23(vi) Real and Imaginary Parts

4.23.34 arcsinz =arcsin+isign(y)ln(+(2-1)1/2),

4.23.35 arccosz =arccos-isign(y)ln(+(2-1)1/2),

4.23.36 arctanz =12arctan(2x1-x2-y2)+14iln(x2+(y+1)2x2+(y-1)2),

where z=x+iy and z(1,) in (4.23.34) and (4.23.35), and |z|<1 in (4.23.36). Also,

4.23.37 =12((x+1)2+y2)1/2+12((x-1)2+y2)1/2,

4.23.38 =12((x+1)2+y2)1/2-12((x-1)2+y2)1/2.

4.23(vii) Special Values and Interrelations

Table 4.23.1: Inverse trigonometric functions: principal values at 0, 1, .

x arcsinx arccosx arctanx arccscx arcsecx arccotx
- -12 0 12 0
-1 -12 -14 -12 -14
0 0 12 0 12
1 12 0 14 12 0 14
12 0 12 0

For interrelations see Table 4.16.3. For example, from the heading and last entry in the
penultimate column we have arcseca=arccot((a2-1)-1/2).

4.23(viii) Gudermannian Function

The Gudermannian gd(x) is defined by

4.23.39 gd(x)=0xsechtdt,
-<x<.
Equivalently,

gd(x)=2arctan(ex)-
4.23.
12=arcsin(tanhx)=arccsc(cothx)=arccos(sechx)=arcsec(coshx)=arctan(sinhx)=arccot
40
(cschx).

The inverse Gudermannian function is given by

4.23.41 gd-1(x)=0xsectdt,
-12<x<12.

Equivalently, and again when -12<x<12,

gd-
4.23
1(x)=lntan(12x+14)=ln(secx+tanx)=arcsinh(tanx)=arccsch(cotx)=arccosh(secx)=arcs
.42
ech(cosx)=arctanh(sinx)=arccoth(cscx).

20102016 NIST / Privacy Policy / Disclaimer / Feedback; Version 1.0.14; Release date
2016-12-21. A printed companion is available. 4.22 Infinite Products and Partial
Fractions4.24 Inverse Trigonometric Functions: Further Properties