3.5 Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
3.5 Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
3.5 Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Figure 3.5.1
To find the derivative of the inverse sine, we let y = sin−1 x for −1 ≤ x ≤ 1.
Thus, sin y = x. Applying the implicit differentiation process, we find
1 1
y 0 cos y = 1 =⇒ y 0 = =√ , −1<x<1
cos y 1 − x2
p √
where cos y = ± 1 − sin2 y = 1 − x2 (draw a right triangle with hy-
potenuse of length 1, acute angle y, and opposite side of length x). Note we
chose the positive sign since cos y ≥ 0 for − π2 ≤ y ≤ π2 .
Now, if y = sin−1 (u(x)) then by the chain rule, we have
1
y0 = √ · u0 .
1 − u2
The Inverse Cosine function
In order to define the inverse cosine function, we will restrict the function
f (x) = cos x over the interval [0, π]. There the function is always decreasing.
Therefore f (x) is one-to-one function. Hence, its inverse will be denoted by
f −1 (x) = cos−1 x.
Remark 3.5.2
If x is outside the interval [0, π] then we look for the angle y in the interval
[0, π] such that cos x = cos y. In this case, cos−1 (cos x) = y. For example,
cos−1 (cos 7π
6 ) = cos
−1 (cos 5π ) = 5π .
6 6
2
Figure 3.5.2
To find the derivative of the inverse cosine function, we argue in a way
similar to the inverse sine function and find
d 1
(cos−1 x) = − √ , −1<x<1
dx 1 − x2
and
d 1
(cos−1 u(x)) = − √ · u0 .
dx 1−u 2
Remark 3.5.3
If x is outside the interval (− π2 , π2 ) and x 6= (2n + 1) π2 , where n is an
integer, then we look for the angle y in the interval (− π2 , π2 ) such that
tan x = tan y. In this case, tan−1 (tan x) = y. For example, tan−1 (tan 5π
6 )=
−1 π π
tan (tan (− 6 )) = − 6 .
3
The graph of y = tan−1 x is the reflection of y = tan x about the line
y = x as shown in Figure 3.5.3. Note that the lines y = ± π2 are horizontal
asymptotes. That is
d 1
(tan−1 (u(x))) = · u0 .
dx 1 + u2
Figure 3.5.3