INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC

FUNCTIONS

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Introduction

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Inverse trigonometric functions are also called “arc functions” since, for a given
value of trigonometric functions, they produce the length of arc needed to obtain

that particular value.

Inverse trigonometric functions are defined as the inverse functions of the basic

trigonometric functions, which are sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant and

cosecant functions.

Basic Concepts
sine function, i.e., sine : R → [– 1, 1]

cosine function, i.e., cos : R → [– 1, 1]

tangent function, i.e., tan : R – { x : x = (2n + 1) π/2 , n ∈ Z} → R

cotangent function, i.e., cot : R – { x : x = nπ, n ∈ Z} → R

secant function, i.e., sec : R – { x : x = (2n + 1) π/2 , n ∈ Z} → R – (– 1, 1)

cosecant function, i.e., cosec : R – { x : x = nπ, n ∈ Z} → R – (– 1, 1)

Table of domain and ranges

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The following table gives the inverse trigonometric function (principal value

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branches) along with their domains and ranges.

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sin–1 [-1,1] -> [(- π/2),(π/2)]

cos–1 [-1,1] -> [0,π]

cosec–1 R - (–1,1) -> [(- π/2),(π/2)] -{0}

sec–1 R – (–1, 1) -> [0,π] -{π/2}

tan–1 R -> (- π/2),(π/2)

cot–1 R -> (0, π)

Note:
1. sin–1x should not be confused with (sin x)–1. In fact (sin x)–1 = 1/sin x and

similarly for other trigonometric functions.

2. Whenever no branch of an inverse trigonometric functions is mentioned,

we mean the principal value branch of that function.

3. The value of an inverse trigonometric functions which lies in the range

of principal branch is called the principal value of that inverse

trigonometric functions.
Example:

Find the principal value of sin-1 1

√2

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Solution:

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= y. Then, sin y = -π , π

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-1
Let sin and
√2 2 2

sin π =
1
Therefore, principal value of sin -1 1 is π
4 √2 √2 4

Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Some properties of inverse trigonometric functions are listed below:
Set 1:

Sin-1(x) = cosec-1(1/x), x∈ [−1,1]−{0}

Cos (x) = sec (1/x), x ∈ [−1,1]−{0}
-1 -1

-1
Tan-1(x) = cot-1(1/x), if x > 0 (or) cot (1/x) −π, if x < 0

Cot-1(x) = tan-1(1/x), if x > 0 (or) tan-1(1/x) + π, if x < 0

Set 2:

Sin-1(−x) = −Sin-1(x)
Tan-1(- x) = −Tan-1(x)

Cos-1(−x) = π − Cos-1(x)

Cosec-1(−x) = − Cosec -1(x)

Sec-1 (−x) = π − Sec-1(x)
-1 -1
Cot (−x) = π − Cot (x)
Set 3:

Sin-1(1/x) = cosec-1x, x≥1 or x≤−1

Cos-1(1/x) = sec-1x, x≥1 or x≤−1
Tan-1(1/x) = −π + cot-1(x)

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Set 4:

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Sin-1(cos θ) = π/2 − θ, if θ∈[0,π]
Cos-1(sin θ) = π/2 − θ, if θ∈[−π/2, π/2]

Tan-1(cot θ) = π/2 − θ, θ∈[0,π]

-1
Cot (tan θ) = π/2 − θ, θ∈[−π/2, π/2]
Sec-1(cosec θ) = π/2 − θ, θ∈[−π/2, 0]∪[0, π/2]

Cosec-1(sec θ) = π/2 − θ, θ∈[0,π]−{π/2}

Sin-1(x) = cos-1 [√(1−x 2)], 0≤x≤1= −cos -1[√(1−x 2)], −1≤x<0

Set 5:
Sin-1x + Cos-1x = π/2
-1 -1
Tan x + Cot (x) = π/2

Sec-1x + Cosec-1 x = π/2

Set 6:
sin-1(x) + sin-1(y) = sin [x√(1−y2 )+ y√(1−x 2)]

cos-1x + cos-1y = cos [xy−√(1−x 2)√(1−y 2)]

Some extra trigonmetric functions

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Example:
Write cot–1 1 x > 1 in the simplest form.
2
x-1

Solution:
Let x = sec θ, then x-1
2

sec2 θ -1
= tan θ
-1 1 -1 -1
Therefore, cot 2
= cot (cot θ) = θ = sec x,
x-1
which is the simplest form.
Graph of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Graph of sin-1 function

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Graph of cos-1 function

Graph of tan-1 function

Graph of cot-1 function

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Graph of sec-1 function )

Graph of cosec-1 function