Inverse Trigonometric Functions Consider: y cos x , and its inverse x cos y on the

same graph. Since y cos x is not monotone (it rises

Consider: y sin x , and its inverse x sin y on the and falls so it fails the horizontal line test) we need to
same graph. Since y sin x is not monotone (it rises restrict the domain so that the graph is monotone. The
and falls so it fails the horizontal line test) we need to most convenient domain is x
restrict the domain so that the graph is monotone. The 2 2
The range is then restricted to 1 y 1
most convenient domain is x . The range is
2 2
1 y 1 y y

−1 x x
1 −1 1

If we consider only the restricted section we arrive at

If we consider only the restricted sections we arrive at
the graph of y sin 1 x which is enlarged and shown
the graph of y cos 1 x which is enlarged and shown
below
y below
y

Points to note about y sin 1 x :

* Domain: 1 x 1 Points to note about y cos 1 x :
* Range: y * Domain: 1 x 1
2 2 * Range: 0 y
* It is an increasing function and so the
* It is a decreasing function and so the graph
gradients lean to the right.
leans to the left.
d
* (sin 1 x) 0 for 1 x 1 . d
dx * (cos 1 x) 0 for 1 x 1
dx
* The derivative at the endpoints is undefined
* The derivative at the endpoints is undefined
because the tangents are are vertical.
because the tangents are vertical.
* sin 1 x sin 1 x so it is an odd function.
* cos 1 x cos 1 x so it is neither odd
* The graph has rotational symmetry about the
origin. nor an even function.
d 1 d 1
* (Proven later!) * cos 1 x (Proven later!)
sin 1 x dx 1 x2
dx 1 x2

Inverse Trig Functions.doc Page 1 of 6

Consider: y tan x , and its inverse x tan y on the Some old texts and calculators use the word "arc" in
same graph. Since y tan x is not monotone (it rises front of the trig function to mean inverse. eg arcsin x
and falls so it fails the horizontal line test) we need to for sin 1 x . Winplot does this.
restrict the domain so that the graph is monotone. The
The inverse function does not mean reciprocal.
most convenient domain is x
2 2
The range is all real y For example sin 1 x (sin x) 1 .
The LHS here is inverse the RHS is cosecx
y
sin 1 (sin x) x if x ...(1)
2 2
cos 1 (cos x) x if 0 x ...(2)
tan 1 (tan x) x if x ...(3)
2 2
To help you remember these are the original domains
that were selected for the inverses.
x
sin(sin 1 x) x if 1 x 1 ...(4)
cos(cos 1 x) x if 1 x 1 ...(5)
tan(tan 1 x) x for all real x ...(6)

To help remember these if you begin with an x that is

not in 1 x 1 then sin 1 x is undefined.
If we consider only the restricted sections we arrive at
the graph of y cos 1 x which is enlarged and shown Evaluation of trig-1 (trig) and trig(trig-1) can be very
below tricky since the domains and ranges must be taken
y into account. There are some rules for one but
different for others. Fortunately very few are asked in
H.S.C. exams because they can done on a calculator!
Here are some more handy ideas
Because the trig functions are periodic
x sin x sin( x 2k ) where k is an integer ...(7)
cos x cos( x 2k ) where k is an integer ...(8)
tan x tan( x k ) where k is an integer ...(9)
Also the theory from ASTC is also used. (10)
y
Example 1: x
Points to note about y tan 1 x : 5 5
Find tan 1 tan
* Domain: all real x 6 6
* Range: y
2 2 Solution: Third Quadrant
* It is an increasing function and so the graph
leans to the right. 5 5
1 1
d tan tan tan tan using (9)
* (tan 1 x) 0 for all real x. 6 6
dx
* The derivative at the endpoints approaches 1 7
tan tan
zero. 6
* tan 1 x tan 1 x so it is an odd 1
tan tan using (3)
function. 6 6
Example 2:
d 1
* tan 1 x (Proven later!) 1 2
dx 1 x2 Find sin cos
3

Inverse Trig Functions.doc Page 2 of 6

Solution: 2 4 21 1
12 5 17 5 17
For sin cos
3
8 21
2 2
Let u cos 1 cos u We require sin u 5 17 5 17
3 3
8 21
Then construct a right angled triangle.
5 17
We need to use Pythagoras 8 211
theorem to find the remaining u v cos 0.9143008...
3 5 17
side.
5 Alternatively: We could have used sin
-2 sin(u v) sin u cos v cos u sin v
5
Now sin u u 21 4 2 1
3
2 5 -2 5 17 5 17
1
sin cos
3 3 4 21 2
5 17 5 17
4 21 2
Example 3:
5 17
1 2
Find sin 2cos 4 21 21
3 u v sin 0.9143008...
5 17
Solution: Usually the question will require an "exact" answer so
either expression will be correct. We can see the
2 2
For sin 2cos 1
again let u cos 1 . equivalence from the decimal approximations.
3 3
Using the same triangle from example 2 we can work Example 5:
out all other ratios. Now
Prove: cos 1 x sin 1 x
2 2
sin 2 cos 1 sin 2u
3 Solution:
2sin u cos u Let u cos 1 x cos u x and v sin 1 x sin v x
5 2 2 5 We again set up a
3 3 9 v triangle but we find in
Example 4: 1 this case we can express
1 2 1 1 1 x2 these results on the same
Find an exact value of cos tan
5 4 u -2 triangle.
Solution: x Now u v
2 1 1 2
Let u cos and v tan 1
5 4 So cos 1 x sin 1 x
2 1 2
cos u and tan v Example 6: 1
Prove: cos
x cos 1
x
5 4
What we want is u v . But first create the triangles. Solution:
We find the cos of both sides
4
cos(LHS) cos cos 1 x x (iff 1 x 1)
v
1
5 cos RHS cos( cos x)
21 -1 1 1
17 cos cos(cos x ) sin sin(cos x )
-2
1
u -2 cos(cos x )
iff is short
x for if and
2
Since cos(LHS) = cos(RHS) then only if.
We can use cos(u v) cos u cos v sin u sin v cos 1 x cos 1 x
Inverse Trig Functions.doc Page 3 of 6
Calculus of Inverse Trig Functions Now its your turn
1
y cos f ( x)
Assumptions:
Put u f ( x) y cos 1 u
Chain Rule, Inverse Functions
du dy
-1 -1 -1 f ( x) ________
Derivatives of sin cos and tan dx du Make sure you
Let y sin 1 x then dy dy du connect the
x sin y dx du dx graphs of each
dx 1 with these
cos y 1 ________ derivatives.
dy x 1 u2 Here we note
dy 1 f ( x) that the
dx cos y y 1 ( f ( x)) 2 derivative of
1 inverse cos is
using the triangle 1 x2 negative and so
2
1 x y tan 1 f ( x) the graph is
Let y cos 1 x then Put u f ( x) y always
x cos y du dy 1 decreasing.
y _____
dx dx du 1 u 2
sin y 1
dy x dy dy du
dy 1 dx du dx
dx sin y 1 f ( x)
2
f ( x)
1 1 u 1 ( f ( x)) 2
using the triangle 1 x2
1 x2 The standard integrals use the following derivatives
Let y tan 1 x then
d x 1 d x a
x tan y sin 1 and tan 1
y dx a a2 x2 dx a a 2
x2
dx
______ Your Turn
dy 1 1 x2
These are proven below
dy 1 x x
dx sec 2 y Let u then y sin 1 u Let u then y tan 1 u
a a
1 du 1 dy 1 du 1 dy 1
x and and
1 tan 2 y 2 2 dx a du 1 u 2 dx a du 1 u 2
sin cos 1
1 2 2 dy dy du dy dy du
sin cos 1
1 x2 2 2 dx du dx dx du dx
cos cos cos 2
dy 1 1 dy 1 1
So tan 2 1 sec 2 2
dx 1 u2 a dx 1 u a
Derivatives of sin-1 f(x) cos-1 f(x) and tan-1 f(x) 1 1
1 1
2
y sin 1
f ( x) x a
x2 a 1 2
1 2 a
Put u f ( x) y sin 1 u a
1 1
du dy 1 1 1 2 2
f ( x) a x a
dx du 1 u2 a2 x2 a a2
2
dy dy du a a2 1
dx du dx 1 1 2
a x a 2

1 1 2 2 a a
f ( x) a x
1 u2 a a x2
2

f ( x) 1
1 ( f ( x)) 2 a2 x2

Inverse Trig Functions.doc Page 4 of 6

 1 x dx Look up the
Example 1: Differentiate y sin Example 3: Find
5 64 x 2 standard
Solution: Solution: integral table.
d x 1 dx dx This one is of
We know sin 1 64 x 2 8 x22
the form
dx a a2 x2
1 x 1
Put a 5 x tan 1
c dx
y sin 1
8 8 a x2
2

5 4
3
dy 1 dx
Example 4: Find
dx 52 x2 2 16 9 x 2
3
1 4 4
2 3 3
25 x dx dx
Solution:
If the question involves anything more than a constant 2 16 9 x 2
2 16 2
then use the chain rule as they get very messy. 3 3
9( x )
9
4
1 2 3 To use the
Example 2: Differentiate y tan 1 x 1 dx
standard
32 4
2
integrals you
Solution: Let u 1 x 2 then y tan 1 u 3 x2
3 need to make
1
the co-efficient
(1 x 2 ) 2 4
1 3 3 of x2 equal to 1
du 1 1 : sin 1 x by factorizing it
(1 x 2 ) 2
2x 3 4 2
dx 2 3 out. In this case
1 1 1 we take 9 out.
x(1 x ) 2 2 sin 1 1 sin 1
3 2
x 1
2
1 x 3 2 6 9
dy 1 3
2
du 1 u2 dx
Example 5: Find Your turn
dy dy du 5 25 4 x 2
4
dx du dx : 3 3
dy 1 x 2
dx 2
dx
Solution:
dx 1 (1 x 2 ) 1 x 2
5 25 4 x 2 5 _____ x 2 )
dy x 4 4
3
dx (2 x 2 ) 1 x 2 2
1 dx
25 2
Integration Involving Inverse Trig Functions 4 x2 5
3
We have used the following results. 3
1 2 2
A
d x 1 d x a sin 1 x
sin 1 and tan 1 2 5 5
4
dx a a2 x2 dx a a2 x2 4

1 3 1
sin 1 sin 1
Now we reverse them to get 2 5 2
1 x 1 1 x 3 1 2
dx sin 1
and dx tan 1 Let A sin 1 and B sin 1 1
2 2 a a 2
x 2
a a 5 2 sin( A B) sin A cos B cos
a x
4 1B3 3 4 3 3
Of course you should always add the constant c.You 5 32 10 5 2
don’t need to remember them as they are found in the 41
1 3 3
standard integral table. Keep one handy here. A B sin 1
2 2 10
Sketching Inverse Trig Functions
Inverse Trig Functions.doc Page 5 of 6
 For y tan 1 ( x2 1)
Example 1: i) Show that y is even
1 x ii) Show there is a minimum turning point at
Sketch y 3cos
2
Solution: 0,
4
x iii) Find the range
Domain: 1 1 2 x 2
2 iv) Sketch y
x
Range: 0 3cos 1 3
2 Solution:
i) Put f ( x) tan 1 ( x2 1)
y
f ( x) tan 1 (( x) 2 1)
tan 1 ( x 2 1)
f ( x)
y is even

ii) Using the chain rule

y tan 1 ( x 2 1)
Put u x2 1 y tan 1 u
x du dy 1
2x
dx du 1 u 2
dy dy du
dx du dx
1
2x
Example 2: 1 u2
Sketch y sin 1 (2 x 1) 2x
1 ( x 2 1) 2
Solution: dy 2(0)
When x 0 0
Domain: 1 2 x 1 1 0 x 1 dx 1 (02 1)2
Range : sin 1 (2 x 1) y tan 1 (02 1) tan y 1 y
2 2 4
3 f (0 ) 0 and f (0 ) 0 local minimum
sin 1 (2 x 1)
2 2
Hence Range tan 1 ( x 2 1)
4 2
y
y

HSC Ext 1: 2008Q1bc, 2007Q1c,2b, 2006Q1a,2a,

2005Q1a,2a, 2004Q1d,2b, 2003Q1abc, 2002Q1d,5c

Example 3:
Inverse Trig Functions.doc Page 6 of 6