VII.

Trigonometric Functions
7.1. Derivative of sin x
The derivative of
y=sin x
y +∆ y =sin ( x+ ∆ x )
¿ sin x cos ∆ x+ cos x sin ∆ x
∆ y =sin x cos ∆ x+cos x sin ∆ x −sin x
¿ cos x sin ∆ x − sin x ¿

2 1
From trigonometry we know that sin A= ¿ Hence
2
1 −cos ∆ x =2sin
2
( 12 ∆ x)
so that we may write
∆ y =cos x sin ∆ x −2 sin x si n2 ( 12 ∆ x).
This leads us to

∆y
=cos x
sin ∆ x
− 2sin x
si n2 ( 12 ∆ x)
∆x ∆x ∆x
Or
sin ( 12 ∆ x ) sin 1 ∆ x
∆y
∆x
=cos x
sin ∆ x
∆x
− sin x
1
∆x
(2 )
2
Now
1 1
sin ∆ x sin ∆ x
sin ∆ x 2 2
lim =1 , lim =1 , lim =0 ,
∆ x →0 ∆x ∆ x →0 1 ∆ x →0 ∆x
∆x
2

Thus, when we let ∆ x →0 in each member, we obtain

y ' =cos x· 1 −sin x· 1· 0

y ' =cos x
Therefore

dy d
= sin x=cos x
dx dx

If u is any function of x , then

d du
( 7) sin u=cos u
dx dx
7.2. Derivative of cos x , tan x , Etc .

d du
(8) cos u=−sin u
dx dx
d du
( 9 ) tan u=sec 2 u
dx dx
d du
( 10 ) cot u=− csc 2 u
dx dx
d du
( 11 ) sec u=secu tanu
dx dx
d du
( 12 ) cscu=−csc u cot u
dx dx

Example (a). If y=sin 4 x 2 , then

du
Let u=4 x 2, =8 x
dx
dy 2
=8 x cos 4 x
dx

1
Example (b). if z=tan y , then
2
1 du 1
Let u= y, =
2 dy 2
dz 1 1
= sec 2 y
dy 2 2

Example (c). If r =( 2+ 3 cot 4 θ )5 , then

du 2
Let u=2+ 3 cot 4 θ , =− 12csc 4 θ , n=5
dθ
From formula (5)
d n du
u =nu n −1
dx dx
It follows that
dr
=( 5 ) ( 2+3 cot 4 θ )4 (−12 csc 2 4 θ)
dθ
dr 2 4
=− 60 csc 4 θ ( 2+ 3 cot 4 θ )
dθ

Exercises
Find the first derivative of the given functions.
1. y=sin3 x 2. x=cos 4 t
 1
3. w=tan 2θ 4. z=sec y
2
5. y=cot5 x 6. y=csc7 x
7. v=3 cos 2 u 8. x=− 4 tan 3θ
1
9. w=2 csc ⁡(1 −3 x ) 10. y=4 cot x
4

7.3 Maxima and Minima

Many problems requiring the determination of maxima and minima may be solved very neatly by
expressing the function in terms of trigonometric functions of an angle.
Example (a). Find the shape of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a given circle.
y
A=4 xy

x=a cos θ , y =a sin θ

a y
x A=4 ¿
x
¿ 2 a2 sin 2θ

dA π
=4 a 2 cos 2 θ=0 , θ=
dθ 4
Figure 6.1b
y=x

Example (b). A man in a rowboat 6 mi. from the shore desires to reach a point on the shore at a distance
of 10 mi. from his present position. If he can walk 4 mi. per hour and row 2 mi. per hour, in what direction
should he row in order to reach his destination in the shortest possible time?

8
x 8−x G

The time required is

6 y 10 y 8−x
T= +
θ 2 4

M
Figure 6.1c

Express the time T as a function of the angle θ . We obtain

y=6 sec θ , x =6 tan θ

 6 sec θ 8− 6 tan θ
T= +
2 4

3
¿ 3 sec θ+2 − tan θ
2

dT 3 2
=3 sec θ tan θ − sec θ
dθ 2

(
¿ 3 sec 2 θ sin θ −
1
2)=0
θ=30°
Exercises:
Solve the following exercises by making use of trigonometric functions.
1. Find the shape of the rectangle of maximum perimeter inscribed in a circle.
2. A cylinder is inscribed in a given sphere. Find the shape of the cylinder if its convex surface area is a
maximum.
3. Find the weight of the heaviest cylinder that can be cut from a 16-lb shot.
4. The stiffness of the rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth an the cube of the depth. Find the
shape of the stiffest beam that can be cut from a log of given size.
5. The strength of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the square of the depth. Find the
shape of the strongest beam that can be cut from a log of given size.
6. A trapezoidal gutter is to be made, from a strip of metal 22 in. wide, by bending up the edges. If the
base is 14 in. wide, what width across the top gives the greatest carrying capacity?
7. Find the largest conical tent that can be constructed having a given slant height.
8. A gutter having a triangular cross-section is to be made by bending a strip of tin in the middle. Find the
angle between the sides when the carrying capacity is a maximum.
9. Find the altitude of the circular cone of maximum convex surface inscribed in a sphere of radius a.
10. A sphere is cut in the shape of a circular cone. How much of the material can be saved?