Calculus (1) (Math 105)

3.4 Derivatives of Trigonometric

Functions

Page 1 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

3.2 The Derivative of a Function

3.2.1 The Continuity of Trigonometric Functions

3.2.2 Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

Page 2 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

The Continuity of Trigonometric Functions

• Trigonometric functions such as sin 𝑥 ⁡, cos 𝑥 ⁡, and tan 𝑥 are continuous

wherever they are defined.
✓ Thus, sin⁡ 𝑥 and cos⁡ 𝑥 are continuous at the arbitrary point 𝑐.
✓ This means that

lim sin 𝑥 = sin 𝑐 ⁡and⁡ lim cos⁡ 𝑥 = cos 𝑐 (1)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

• The formulas in (1) can be used to find limits of the remaining trigonometric
functions by expressing them in terms of sin⁡ 𝑥 and cos⁡ 𝑥; for example, if cos⁡ 𝑐 ≠
0, then

sin⁡ 𝑥 sin⁡ 𝑐
lim tan⁡ 𝑥 = lim = = tan⁡ 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 cos⁡ 𝑥 cos⁡ 𝑐

Thus, we are led to the following theorem.

Theorem 1:

If c is any number in the natural domain of the stated trigonometric function, then

lim sin⁡ 𝑥 = sin⁡ 𝑐 lim cos⁡ 𝑥 = cos⁡ 𝑐 lim tan⁡ 𝑥 = tan⁡ 𝑐

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
lim csc⁡ 𝑥 = csc⁡ 𝑐 lim sec⁡ 𝑥 = sec⁡ 𝑐 lim cot⁡ 𝑥 = cot⁡ 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Example 1

Find the limit

𝑥 2 −1
(a) lim cos⁡ ( ) (b) lim ⁡sin⁡(𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 + 1)
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→−2

Solution

(a) Since the cosine function is continuous everywhere, it follows that

lim cos⁡(𝑔(𝑥)) = cos⁡ (lim 𝑔(𝑥))

𝑥→1 𝑥→1

Page 3 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Thus,

𝑥2 − 1 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)
lim cos ( ) = lim cos ( )
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1

⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡= lim⁡ cos⁡(𝑥 + 1) = cos (lim (𝑥 + 1)) ⁡ = cos 2 ⁡

𝑥→1 𝑥→1

(b) Since the sine function is continuous everywhere, it follows that

Lim sin(𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 + 1) = sin [ lim ⁡(𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 + 1)]

𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2

= sin[(−2)3 + 7(−2) + 1] = sin(−21) = − sin 21⁡(𝑤ℎ𝑦? )

Page 4 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

The Two Special Trigonometric Limits:

• The two important trigonometric limits are essential in calculus and are often
used it the study of limits, derivatives, and integrals involving trigonometric
functions.
• The are typically stated in a theorem commonly referred to as the Standard
Trigonometric Limits Theorem.
• It is fundamental in calculus and analysis and helps establish basic properties
of trigonometric functions, particularly their behaviour as the argument
approaches zero.

Theorem 2:

sin 𝑥
(a) lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥
1−cos⁡ 𝑥
(b) lim =0
𝑥→0 𝑥

We can prove the results above, using the Squeezing Theorem.

Example 2

Find
tan 𝑥 sin 2𝜃 sin⁡ 3𝑥
(a) lim (b) lim (c) lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝜃→0 𝜃 𝑥→0 sin⁡ 5𝑥

Page 5 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Solution

(a)

tan⁡ 𝑥 sin⁡ 𝑥 1 sin⁡ 𝑥 1

lim = lim ( ⋅ ) = (lim ) (lim ) = (1)(1) = 1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 cos⁡ 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 cos⁡ 𝑥

(b) The trick is to multiply and divide by 2 , which will make the denominator the same

as the argument of the sine function [ just as in Theorem above (a) ]:

sin⁡ 2𝜃 sin⁡ 2𝜃 sin⁡ 2𝜃

lim = lim 2 ⋅ = 2lim
𝜃→0 𝜃 𝜃→0 2𝜃 𝜃→0 2𝜃

Now make the substitution 𝑥 = 2𝜃, and use the fact that 𝑥 → 0 as 𝜃 → 0.

This yields

sin⁡ 2𝜃 sin⁡ 2𝜃 sin⁡ 𝑥

lim = 2lim = 2lim = 2(1) = 2
𝜃→0 𝜃 𝜃→0 2𝜃 𝑥→0 𝑥

(c)

sin 3𝑥 sin 3𝑥 sin 3𝑥

sin 3𝑥 ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡ ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡ ⁡⁡⁡⁡lim ⁡(3 ⋅ 3𝑥 ⁡)⁡⁡⁡ ⁡⁡3⁡lim ⁡( 3𝑥 ⁡)⁡⁡⁡ 3 ⋅ 1 3
lim = lim 𝑥 = 𝑥→0 = 𝑥→0
= =
𝑥→0 sin 5𝑥 𝑥→0 sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 5 ⋅ 1 5
lim ⁡(5 ⋅ ) 5⁡lim ⁡( )
𝑥 𝑥→0 5𝑥 𝑥→0 5𝑥

Checkpoint 1

Evaluate the limit.

tan⁡ 4𝑡 sin 𝑥 2 𝑥2 tan⁡ 3𝑥 2 +sin2 ⁡ 5𝑥
(a) lim (b) lim (c) lim (d) lim
𝑡→0 𝑡 sec 𝑡 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 1−cos2 ⁡ 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥2

Hint: sin2 (𝑥) + cos 2 𝑥 = 1

Solution

Page 6 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Page 7 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi
3.2.3 Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
• Many phenomena of nature are approximately periodic (electromagnetic fields,
heart rhythms, tides, weather).
• The derivatives of sines and cosines play a key role in describing periodic
changes.
• This section shows how to differentiate the six basic trigonometric functions.
• We will assume in this section that the variable 𝑥 in the trigonometric functions
sin⁡ 𝑥, cos⁡ 𝑥, tan⁡ 𝑥, cot⁡ 𝑥, sec⁡ 𝑥, and csc⁡ 𝑥 is measured in radians.

Theorem 3:

Derivative of Sine and Cosine The functions 𝑦 = sin⁡ 𝑥 and 𝑦 = cos⁡ 𝑥 are differentiable and

𝑑
(sin 𝑥) = cos 𝑥⁡
𝑑𝑥
and
𝑑
⁡ (cos 𝑥) = −sin⁡ 𝑥
𝑑𝑥

Proof: See the Appendix

Example 3

𝑑𝑦
Find if 𝑦 = 𝑥sin⁡ 𝑥.
𝑑𝑥

Solution

Using Formula

𝑑
(sin 𝑥) = cos 𝑥⁡
𝑑𝑥

and the product rule we obtain

𝑑𝑦 𝑑
⁡= [xsin 𝑥]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Page 8 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

 𝑑 𝑑
=𝑥 [sin 𝑥] + sin 𝑥 [𝑥]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

= 𝑥cos⁡ 𝑥 + sin⁡ 𝑥

Example 4

𝑑𝑦 sin⁡ 𝑥
Find if 𝑦 =
𝑑𝑥 1+cos⁡ 𝑥

Solution

Using the quotient rule, we obtain

𝑑 𝑑
𝑑𝑦 (1 + cos⁡ 𝑥) ⋅ [sin⁡ 𝑥] − sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ [1 + cos⁡ 𝑥]
⁡= 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 (1 + cos⁡ 𝑥)2
(1 + cos⁡ 𝑥)(cos⁡ 𝑥) − (sin⁡ 𝑥)(−sin⁡ 𝑥)
⁡=
(1 + cos⁡ 𝑥)2
cos⁡ 𝑥 + cos 2 ⁡ 𝑥 + sin2 ⁡ 𝑥 cos⁡ 𝑥 + 1 1
⁡= = =
(1 + cos⁡ 𝑥)2 (1 + cos⁡ 𝑥)2 1 + cos⁡ 𝑥

Checkpoint 2

(a) Differentiate 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 sin⁡ 𝑥.

(b) Calculate 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥), where 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥cos⁡ 𝑥.

Answers:
(a) 𝑦 ′ = 𝑥 2 cos⁡ 𝑥 + 2𝑥sin⁡ 𝑥.

(b) 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = −2sin⁡ 𝑥 − 𝑥cos⁡ 𝑥

Solution

Page 9 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Derivatives of the Other Basic Trigonometric Functions

Because sin⁡ 𝑥 and cos⁡ 𝑥 are differentiable functions of 𝑥, the related functions

sin⁡ 𝑥 cos⁡ 𝑥 1 1
tan⁡ 𝑥 = , ⁡cot⁡ 𝑥 = , ⁡sec⁡ 𝑥 = , ⁡ and ⁡csc⁡ 𝑥 =
cos⁡ 𝑥 sin⁡ 𝑥 cos⁡ 𝑥 sin⁡ 𝑥

are differentiable at every value of 𝑥 at which they are defined. Their derivatives,
calculated from the Quotient Rule, are given by the following formulas. Notice the
negative signs in the derivative formulas for the cofunctions.

Theorem 4:

The derivatives of the other trigonometric functions:

𝑑 𝑑
(tan⁡ 𝑥) = sec 2 ⁡ 𝑥 (cot⁡ 𝑥) = −csc 2 ⁡ 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑
(sec⁡ 𝑥) = sec⁡ 𝑥tan⁡ 𝑥 (csc⁡ 𝑥) = −csc⁡ 𝑥cot⁡ 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

To show a typical calculation, we find the derivative of the tangent function.

Example 5

𝑑(tan 𝑥)
Find
𝑑𝑥

Solution

We use the Derivative Quotient Rule to calculate the derivative:

𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 𝑑 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 (sin 𝑥) − sin 𝑥 (cos 𝑥)
(tan 𝑥) = ( ) ⁡ = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 cos 𝑥 cos 2 𝑥

cos xcos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥(− sin 𝑥)

=
cos 2 𝑥

Page 10 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

 cos 2 𝑥 + sin2 𝑥
=
cos 2 𝑥
1
= 2
= sec 2 ⁡ 𝑥
cos ⁡ 𝑥

Example 6

𝜋
Find 𝑦 ′′ if 𝑦 = sec⁡ 𝑥. Then find 𝑓 ′′ ( )
4

Solution

Finding the second derivative involves a combination of trigonometric derivatives.

𝑦 = sec 𝑥
𝑦′ = sec xtan 𝑥
𝑑
𝑦 ′′ = (sec xtan 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑
= sec 𝑥 (tan 𝑥) + tan 𝑥 (sec 𝑥) ⁡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= sec 𝑥(sec 2 𝑥) + tan 𝑥(sec xtan 𝑥) ⁡
= sec 3 𝑥 + sec 𝑥 tan2 𝑥

Thus,

𝑓 ′′ (𝜋/4) ⁡= sec 3 ⁡(𝜋/4) + sec⁡(𝜋/4)tan2 ⁡(𝜋/4)

⁡= (√2)3 + (√2)(1)2 = 3√2

Page 11 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

 Appendix

Page 12 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Using graphing Calculator or computer to graph equations

• We can use a graphing calculator to graph equations.

A graphing calculator draws the graph of an equation by
plotting points, just as we would do by hand.
• We can also use computers to graph equations.

• There are many websites that help us to graph equations.

For example: Graphing Calculator – Desmos.
https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Page 13 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Example 7

1
Use a graphing calculator to graph the equation 𝑦 = ⁡in the viewing rectangle
1+𝑥 2
−5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 by −1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2.

Solution

Here we use Desmos website calculator to graph the equation

1
𝑦=
1 + 𝑥2

in the rectangle −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 by −1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2.

Page 14 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Example 8

1
Discuss the limit lim⁡ sin⁡ ( ).
𝑥→0 𝑥

Solution

1
Let us view as an angle in radian measure.
𝑥

1 1
As 𝑥 → 0+ , the angle approaches +∞, so the values of sin ( ) keep oscillating
𝑥 𝑥

between −1 and 1 without approaching a limit.

1 1
Similarly, as 𝑥 → 0− , the angle approaches −∞, so again the values of sin ( ) keep
𝑥 𝑥

oscillating between −1 and 1 without approaching a limit.

These conclusions are consistent with the graph shown in the Figure below.

1
Note that the oscillations become more and more rapid as 𝑥 → 0 because increases
𝑥

(or decreases) more and more rapidly as 𝑥 approaches 0 .

Page 15 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Theorem 5:

Derivative of Sine and Cosine The functions 𝑦 = sin⁡ 𝑥 and 𝑦 = cos⁡ 𝑥 are differentiable and

𝑑
(sin 𝑥) = cos 𝑥⁡
𝑑𝑥
and
𝑑
⁡ (cos 𝑥) = −sin⁡ 𝑥
𝑑𝑥

Proof:

To calculate the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = sin⁡ 𝑥, for 𝑥 measured in radians, we combine

the limits
sin 𝑥
(a) lim = 1 and
𝑥→0 𝑥
1−cos⁡ 𝑥
(b) lim =0
𝑥→0 𝑥

with the angle sum identity for the sine function:

sin⁡(𝑥 + ℎ) = sin⁡ 𝑥cos⁡ ℎ + cos⁡ 𝑥sin⁡ ℎ.

If 𝑓(𝑥) = sin⁡ 𝑥, then

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥) sin⁡(𝑥 + ℎ) − sin⁡ 𝑥

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) ⁡= lim = lim ⁡ ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡Derivative definition
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
(sin⁡ 𝑥cos⁡ ℎ + cos⁡ 𝑥sin⁡ ℎ) − sin⁡ 𝑥
⁡= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
sin⁡ 𝑥(cos⁡ ℎ − 1) + cos⁡ 𝑥sin⁡ ℎ
⁡= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
cos⁡ ℎ − 1 sin⁡ ℎ
⁡= lim (sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ ) + lim (cos⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ )
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
cos⁡ ℎ − 1 sin⁡ ℎ
⁡= sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ lim + cos⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ lim = sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ 0 + cos⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ 1 = cos⁡ 𝑥.
⏟
ℎ→0 ℎ ⏟
ℎ→0 ℎ
limit 0 limit 1

𝑑
⇒ (sin 𝑥) = cos 𝑥⁡
𝑑𝑥

Page 16 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi

Derivative of the Cosine Function

With the help of the angle sum formula for the cosine function,

cos⁡(𝑥 + ℎ) = cos⁡ 𝑥cos⁡ ℎ − sin⁡ 𝑥sin⁡ ℎ,

we can compute the limit of the difference quotient:

𝑑 cos⁡(𝑥 + ℎ) − cos⁡ 𝑥
(cos⁡ 𝑥) ⁡= lim
𝑑𝑥 ℎ→0 ℎ
(cos⁡ 𝑥cos⁡ ℎ − sin⁡ 𝑥sin⁡ ℎ) − cos⁡ 𝑥
⁡= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
cos⁡ 𝑥(cos⁡ ℎ − 1) − sin⁡ 𝑥sin⁡ ℎ
⁡= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
cos⁡ ℎ − 1 sin⁡ ℎ
⁡= lim cos⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ − lim sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
cos⁡ ℎ − 1 sin⁡ ℎ
⁡= cos⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ lim − sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
⁡= cos⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ 0 − sin⁡ 𝑥 ⋅ 1
⁡= −sin⁡ 𝑥.

𝑑
⁡ (cos 𝑥) = −sin⁡ 𝑥
𝑑𝑥

Page 17 of 17 Math 105 (Semester 1 2024/2025) Dr. Omar Alsuhaimi