Notes: (Topic 3.

9) Inverse Trigonometric Functions

As with all functions, the inverse of a trigonometric function is the result of switching the input ( x ) and output ( y )
values of the function. As a result, the output value of an inverse trigonometric function will be an angle measure.

Notation: We can represent inverse trigonometric functions in two different ways: sin −1 ( x ) or arcsin ( x ) .
With either notation, we would say “arcsine of x ” when reading it aloud.

  1
Example 1: Write the statement sin   = in an equivalent form using arcsine notation.
6 2

Restricted Domains of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Because trig functions are periodic, we must restrict their domains to create their corresponding inverse functions.

𝑦 = sin(𝑥)
  
In order to make the inverse a function, we will restrict the function y = sin ( x ) to the domain  − , , as highlighted
 2 2 
in the figure above.

𝑦 = cos(𝑥)
Similarly, we will restrict our cosine function for the same purposes. However, for y = cos ( x ) , we will restrict our
domain to  0,   .
  
For the tangent function, we will restrict the domain of y = tan ( x ) to  − ,  , due to the vertical asymptotes at
 2 2
 
x=− and x = .
2 2
Notes: Topic 3.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
Important Note About Inverse Trig Functions: It is important to always remember and consider the domain
restrictions when working with inverse trigonometric functions and values.

sin −1 ( x ) cos −1 ( x ) tan −1 ( x )

     
Range:  − , Range: 0,   Range:  − , 
 2 2   2 2

Example 2: Evaluate the following expressions.

 2  3
a) cos −1  −
2
 = b) sin −1  −
 =
2 
c) tan −1 ( 3) =
  

Example 3: The angle  is in standard position. The terminal ray intersects the unit circle at point P , whose
coordinates are ( x, y ) . The points Q, R, and S are the result of the terminal ray being reflected over the
y -axis, the origin, and the x-axis respectively. For each of the following expressions, determine which labeled point
intersects the terminal ray of the given angles.

 y
a) cos −1 ( x ) b) sin −1 ( − y ) c) cos −1 ( − x ) d) tan −1  − 
 x

Notes: Topic 3.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions Created by Bryan Passwater

Worksheet A: (Topic 3.9) Inverse Trigonometric Functions Name:

Directions: Evaluate the following expressions.

1  2
1. cos −1   = 2. sin −1  − = 3. tan −1 (1) =
2  2 


 3  1  1 
4. cos −1  − = 5. sin −1  −  = 6. tan −1  − =
 2   2  3


Directions: Solve the following equations.

 1
7. sin −1 ( x ) = cos −1 ( 0 ) 8. 2sin −1 ( x ) = cos −1  − 
 2

 2  x
9. tan −1 ( x ) = sin −1  −  10. 3sin −1   = cos −1 ( −1)
 2  2


Worksheet A: Topic 3.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions Created by Bryan Passwater

11. The angle  is in standard position. The terminal ray intersects the unit circle at point S , whose coordinates are
( x, y ) . The points P, Q, and R are the result of the terminal ray being reflected over the y -axis, the origin, and
the x-axis respectively. For each of the following expressions, determine which labeled point intersects the terminal ray
of the given angles.
 y
a) sin −1 ( − y ) b) cos −1 ( − x ) c) tan −1  
x

12. The angle  is in standard position. The terminal ray intersects the unit circle at point R , whose coordinates are
( x, y ) . The points P, Q, and S are the result of the terminal ray being reflected over the y -axis, the origin, and
the x-axis respectively. For each of the following expressions, determine which labeled point intersects the terminal ray
of the given angles.
 y
a) sin −1 ( y ) b) cos −1 ( x ) c) tan −1  
x

 y
d) sin −1 ( − y ) e) cos −1 ( − x ) f) tan −1  −

 x

Worksheet A: Topic 3.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions Created by Bryan Passwater

3.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
AP Precalculus Name: _____________________________ CA #1

The parent function is shown below. Use the parent function to graph 𝒈(𝒙).
1
1. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = sin−1 (2 𝑥) − 𝜋 2. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2 cos −1 (𝑥 − 1) 3. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3 tan−1 (−𝑥)

Find the inverse of each function and list the domain and range of 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙).
𝜋 𝜋 1 𝜋
4. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2 sin 𝑥 + 1 for − ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5. 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = cos(2𝜃) for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤
2 2 3 2

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 Evaluate the following expressions. Find the principal value in radians. NO CALCULATOR!!

6. sin−1 (−
√3
) 7. cos −1 (0) 8. arctan(√3)
2

√2 1 11. arccos(−1)
9. arccos ( ) 10. sin−1 (− )
2 2

Answers to 3.9 CA #1
1. 2. 3.

4.
𝑥−1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = sin−1 ( )
2

Domain: −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
𝜋 𝜋
Range: − 2 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2

5.
1
𝑓 −1 (𝜃 ) = cos −1 (3𝜃 )
2
𝜋
1
Domain: − 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
1 𝜋
6. − 3
𝜋 8.
7. 3
2

𝜋
Range: 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2

𝜋 𝜋
9. 10. − 6 11. 𝜋
4

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3.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
AP Precalculus Name: _____________________________ CA #2

The parent function is shown below. Use the parent function to graph 𝒈(𝒙).
1
1. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2sin−1 (2 𝑥) − 2
𝜋 2. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2 cos −1 (−(𝑥 + 1)) 3. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 2 tan−1 (𝑥 − 1) − 𝜋

Find the inverse of each function and list the domain and range of 𝒇−𝟏 (𝒙).
𝜋 𝜋 1 𝜋
4. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2 sin(𝑥 − 𝜋) + 1 for − ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5. 𝑓 (𝜃 ) = cos(2𝜃 ) − 3 for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤
2 2 2 2

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 Evaluate the following expressions. Find the principal value in radians. NO CALCULATOR!!
√3
6. sin−1 ( ) 7. cos −1 (−1) 8. arctan(−√3)
2

√2 1 √3
9. arccos (− ) 10. sin−1 ( ) 11. arccos ( )
2 2 2

Answers to 3.9 CA #2
1. 2. 3.

4.
𝑥−1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥 ) = sin−1 ( 2 ) + 5

Domain: −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
𝜋 𝜋
Range: − 2 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2

5.
1
𝑓 −1 (𝜃 ) = 2 cos −1 (2𝜃 + 6)
𝜋
𝜋 8. −
Domain: −3.5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ −2.5 6. 3
7. 𝜋 3

𝜋
Range: 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2

3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
9. 10. 11.
4 6 6

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