Chapter

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS
2.1 Overview
2.1.1 Inverse function
Inverse of a function f exists, if the function is one-one and onto, i.e, bijective.
Since trigonometric functions are many-one over their domains, we restrict their
domains and co-domains in order to make them one-one and onto and then find
their inverse. The domains and ranges (principal value branches) of inverse
trigonometric functions are given below:
Functions
Domain
Range (Principal value
branches)
y = sin1x

[1,1]

y = cos1x

[1,1]

y = cosec1x

R (1,1)

y = sec1x

R (1,1)

y = tan1x

y = cot1x

,
2 2
[0,]

, {0}
2 2
[0,]

,
2 2

R
(0,)
Notes:
(i) The symbol sin1x should not be confused with (sinx)1. Infact sin1x is an
angle, the value of whose sine is x, similarly for other trigonometric functions.
(ii) The smallest numerical value, either positive or negative, of is called the
principal value of the function.

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

19

(iii) Whenever no branch of an inverse trigonometric function is mentioned, we mean

the principal value branch. The value of the inverse trigonometic function which
lies in the range of principal branch is its principal value.
2.1.2 Graph of an inverse trigonometric function
The graph of an inverse trigonometric function can be obtained from the graph of
original function by interchanging x-axis and y-axis, i.e, if (a, b) is a point on the graph
of trigonometric function, then (b, a) becomes the corresponding point on the graph of
its inverse trigonometric function.
It can be shown that the graph of an inverse function can be obtained from the
corresponding graph of original function as a mirror image (i.e., reflection) along the
line y = x.
2.1.3 Properties of inverse trigonometric functions
1.

2.

3.

,
2 2

sin1 (sin x) = x

cos1(cos x) = x

x [0, ]

tan1(tan x) = x

x
,
2 2

cot1(cot x) = x

x ( 0, )

sec1(sec x) = x

x [0, ]

cosec1(cosec x) = x :

sin (sin1 x) = x
cos (cos1 x) = x
tan (tan1 x) = x
cot (cot1 x) = x
sec (sec1 x) = x
cosec (cosec1 x) = x

x
x
x
x
x
x

:
:
:
:
:
:

, {0}
2 2
[1,1]
[1,1]
R
R
R (1,1)
R (1,1)

sin 1

1
x

cosec 1 x :

x R (1,1)

cos 1

1
x

sec 1 x

x R (1,1)

20

MATHEMATICS

1
cot 1 x
x
= + cot1x
tan 1

x>0

x<0

:
:
:
:
:
:

x
x
x
x
x
x

[1,1]
[1,1]
R
R
R (1,1)
R (1,1)

4.

sin1 (x) = sin1x

cos1 (x) = cos1x
tan1 (x) = tan1x
cot1 (x) = cot1x
sec1 (x) = sec1x
cosec1 (x) = cosec1x

5.

sin1x + cos1x =

x [1,1]

tan1x + cot1x =

x R

x R[1,1]

sec1x + cosec1x =

6.

x y
tan1x + tan1y = tan1 1 xy : xy < 1
x y
; xy > 1
tan1x tan1y = tan1 1 + xy

7.

2tan1x = sin1

2x
1 x2

1 x 1

1 x2
1 x2

x0

1 < x < 1

2tan1x = cos1

2x
1 x2
2.2 Solved Examples
Short Answer (S.A.)
2tan1x = tan1

Example 1 Find the principal value of cos1x, for x =

3
.
2

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Solution If cos

3
2 = , then cos =

3
.
2

Since we are considering principal branch, [0, ]. Also, since

the first quadrant, hence cos1

3
2

Example 2 Evaluate tan1 sin

Solution tan1 sin

= tan1 sin = tan1(1) = .

2

4

Example 3 Find the value of cos1 cos

Solution cos1 cos

13
= cos1
6

.
6

Example 4 Find the value of tan1 tan

9
8

13
.
6

1
cos (2 + ) = cos cos
6
6

Solution tan1 tan

3
> 0, being in
2

.
6

21

9
.
8

= tan1 tan +
8

1
= tan tan =
8
8

1
Example 5 Evaluate tan (tan ( 4)).

Solution Since tan (tan1x) = x, x R, tan (tan1( 4) = 4.

Example 6 Evaluate: tan1 3 sec1 (2) .

22

MATHEMATICS

Solution

tan1 3 sec1 ( 2) = tan1 3 [ sec12]

=

1
+ cos 1 =
+ = .
3
3 3
3
2

3
1
1
Example 7 Evaluate: sin cos sin 2
1
1
Solution sin cos sin

3
2

sin 1 cos

1
= sin

1
2

.
6

Example 8 Prove that tan(cot1x) = cot (tan1x). State with reason whether the
equality is valid for all values of x.
Solution Let cot1x = . Then cot = x
or, tan

= x tan 1 x =
2
2

1
1
1
So tan(cot x) = tan = cot = cot cot x = cot(tan x)
2
2

The equality is valid for all values of x since tan1x and cot1x are true for x R.
1 y
Example 9 Find the value of sec tan
.
2

1
Solution Let tan

which gives

Therefore,

y
y

= , where , . So, tan = ,
2
2
2 2

sec=

y2

4
2

4 + y2
y

sec tan 1 = sec =

.
2
2

1
Example 10 Find value of tan (cos1x) and hence evaluate tan cos

Solution Let cos1x = , then cos = x, where [0,]

8
.
17

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

tan(cos1x) = tan =

Therefore,

1 cos 2
1 x2
=
.
x
cos
2

Hence

8
1
8
15 .

17
tan cos 1 =
=
8
17
8

17

1
Example 11 Find the value of sin 2cot

5
12

5
5
Solution Let cot1 = y . Then cot y =
.
12
12

1
Now sin 2cot

5
12

= sin 2y
= 2

= 2siny cosy

12
13

since cot y < 0, so y 2 ,

5
13

120
169
1
Example 12 Evaluate cos sin

1
Solution cos sin

1
= cos sin

3
1
= 4 1 4

1
4
sec 1
4
3

1
4
3
1 1
+ cos 1
sec 1
= cos sin
4
3
4
4

1
3
1
3
cos cos 1
sin sin 1 sin cos 1
4
4
4
4
2

3 15 1 7
= 4 4 4 4

1
3
1
4
4

3 15 7
16

23

24

MATHEMATICS

Long Answer (L.A.)

Example 13 Prove that 2sin1
Solution Let sin1
Thus tan =
Therefore,

3
17

tan1
=
5
31
4

3
3
= , then sin = , where ,
5
5
2 2

3
3
, which gives = tan1 .
4
4
2sin1

3
17
tan1
5
31

= 2 tan1

17
31

= 2 tan1

3
17
tan1
4
31

3
2.
17
24
17
tan 1 4 tan 1
tan 1
=
31 = tan1
1 9
7
31
16
24 17

tan 1 7 31
=
=
1+ 24 . 17
4
7 31

Example 14 Prove that

cot17 + cot18 + cot118 = cot13
Solution We have
cot17 + cot18 + cot118
= tan1

1
1
1
+ tan1 + tan1
7
8
18

1 1
7+8
1 1
tan
+ tan
=
1
1
18
1
7 8
1

(since cot1 x = tan1

(since x . y =

1
, if x > 0)
x

1 1
. < 1)
7 8

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

3 1
+

tan 1 11 18
1 3
1 1
+ tan
= tan
=
1 3 1
11
18
11 18
1
= tan

65
195

1
= tan

1
3

25

(since xy < 1)

= cot1 3

Example 15 Which is greater, tan 1 or tan1 1?

Solution From Fig. 2.1, we note that tan x is an increasing function in the interval

tan 1 > tan . This gives

, , since 1 >
4
4
2 2

tan x

tan 1 > 1

4
tan 1 > 1 > tan1 (1).
tan 1 > 1 >

p/2

p/4

p/2

Example 16 Find the value of

sin 2 tan 1 + cos (tan 1 3) .

3

Solution Let tan1

Therefore,

2
= x and tan1
3

3 = y so that tan x =

2
and tan y =
3

sin 2 tan 1 + cos (tan 1 3)

3

= sin (2x) + cos y

2
2.
1
2 tan x
1
3 +
+
2
=
= 1 + tan x
4
1+ tan 2 y
1+
1+
3
9

( )

12 1 37
+ = .
13 2 26

3.

26

MATHEMATICS

Example 17 Solve for x

1 x 1
1
tan 1
= tan x, x > 0
+
x
1
2

Solution

1 x
1
From given equation, we have 2 tan 1
= tan x
1+ x

2 tan 1 1 tan 1 x = tan 1 x

2 = 3tan 1 x
= tan 1 x
6
4

x=

1
3

Example 18 Find the values of x which satisfy the equation

sin1 x + sin1 (1 x) = cos1 x.
Solution From the given equation, we have
sin (sin1 x + sin1 (1 x)) = sin (cos1x)
sin (sin1 x) cos (sin1 (1 x)) + cos (sin1 x) sin (sin1 (1 x) ) = sin (cos1 x)

x 1 (1 x) 2 + (1 x) 1 x 2 = 1 x 2
x 2 x x 2 + 1 x 2 (1 x 1) = 0
x

2 x x 2 1 x 2 = 0

x = 0

or

2x x2 = 1 x2

x = 0

or

x=

1
.
2

Example 19 Solve the equation sin16x + sin1 6 3 x =

1
Solution From the given equation, we have sin1 6x = sin 6 3 x
2

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

1
sin (sin1 6x) = sin sin 6 3 x
2

6x = cos (sin1 6 3 x)

6x = 1 108x 2 . Squaring, we get

27

36x2 = 1 108x2

x=

144x2 = 1

1
12

Note that x =

1
1
is the only root of the equation as x =
does not satisfy it.
12
12

Example 20

Show that


1 sin cos
2 tan1 tan .tan = tan
2
cos + sin
4 2

.tan
2
4 2
1
Solution L.H.S. = tan

1 tan 2 tan 2
2
4 2
2 tan

1
1 2 x
since 2 tan x = tan

1 x 2

1 tan

2
2 tan
2 1 + tan
1
2
= tan
2

tan

2
1 tan 2

2 1 + tan
2

. 1 tan 2
2

= tan 1
2
2

2
1
tan
tan
1
tan
+

2
2
2

2 tan

28

MATHEMATICS

2
1 tan
2

tan 1

2
2
2
1 + tan 1 tan
+ 2 tan 1+ tan

2
2
2
2

1 tan 2
2
2
2
2
1+ tan
1+ tan
2
2
tan 1

2
1 tan
2 tan
2+
2
2
2
1+ tan
1+ tan
2
2

sin cos
tan 1

cos + sin

2 tan

2 tan

= R.H.S.

Objective type questions

Choose the correct answer from the given four options in each of the Examples 21 to 41.
Example 21 Which of the following corresponds to the principal value branch of tan1?

(A) ,
2 2

(B) ,
2 2

(C) , {0}
2 2

(D) (0, )

Solution (A) is the correct answer.

Example 22 The principal value branch of sec1 is

(A) , {0}
2 2

(B)

(C) (0, )

(D) ,
2 2

[0, ]

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

29

Solution (B) is the correct answer.

Example 23 One branch of cos1 other than the principal value branch corresponds to

3
2, 2

(C) (0, )

(A)

(B)

[ , 2]

(D) [2, 3]

Solution (D) is the correct answer.

43
1
Example 24 The value of sin cos
is
5

(A)

3
5

(B)

7
5

(C)

10

(D)

10

40 + 3
3

1
1
Solution (D) is the correct answer. sin cos
= sin cos 8 +
5
5

3
3
1
1
= sin cos
= sin sin
5

2 5

1
= sin sin = .
10
10

Example 25 The principal value of the expression cos1 [cos ( 680)] is

(A)

2
9

(B)

2
9

(C)

34
9

(D)

Solution (A) is the correct answer. cos1 (cos (680)) = cos1 [cos (720 40)]
= cos1 [cos ( 40)] = cos1 [cos (40)] = 40 =

2
.
9

Example 26 The value of cot (sin1x) is

(A)

1+ x 2
x

x
(B)

1+ x 2

30

MATHEMATICS

(C)

1
x

(D)

1 x 2
.
x

Solution (D) is the correct answer. Let sin1 x = , then sin = x

cosec =

1 + cot2 =

Example 27 If tan1x =
(A)

1
x
1
x2

cosec2 =

cot =

1
x2

1 x 2
.
x

for some x R, then the value of cot1x is

10
(B)

2
5

(C)

3
5

Solution (B) is the correct answer. We know tan1x + cot 1x =

cot1x =

(D)

. Therefore
2

2
10

cot1x =

=
.
5
2
10

Example 28 The domain of sin1 2x is

(A) [0, 1]

1
(C) ,
2

(B) [ 1, 1]

1
2

(D) [2, 2]

Solution (C) is the correct answer. Let sin12x = so that 2x = sin .

Now 1 sin 1, i.e., 1 2x 1 which gives
3
Example 29 The principal value of sin1 2 is

1
1
x .
2
2

4
5

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

(A)

2
3

(B)

(C)

4
3

(D)

31

5
.
3

Solution (B) is the correct answer.

3

1
1
sin 1
= sin sin = sin sin = .
3
3
3

Example 30 The greatest and least values of (sin1x)2 + (cos1x)2 are respectively
(A)

5 2
2
and
4
8

(B)

and
2
2

(C)

2
2
and
4
4

(D)

2
and 0 .
4

Solution (A) is the correct answer. We have

(sin1x)2 + (cos1x)2 = (sin1x + cos1x)2 2 sin1x cos1 x
=

2sin 1 x sin 1
4
2

2
sin 1 x + 2 sin 1 x
4

1
2
1

+
2
sin
x
sin
x

=
2
8

2
1
2
2
sin
x

+
=
4 16

2 2
2 2
2
+ ,

2
i.e.

Thus, the least value is

and the Greatest value is
8
2 4 16
16

i.e.

5 2
.
4

Example 31 Let = sin1 (sin ( 600), then value of is

32

MATHEMATICS

(A)

(B)

(C)

2
3

(D)

2
.
3

Solution (A) is the correct answer.

10
1
sin 1 sin 600
= sin sin

180

3
2
2

1
1
= sin sin 4 = sin sin
3
3

1
1
= sin sin = sin sin = .
3
3 3

Example 32 The domain of the function y = sin1 ( x2) is

(A) [0, 1]
(C) [1, 1]

(B) (0, 1)
(D)

Solution (C) is the correct answer. y = sin1 ( x2) siny = x2

i.e. 1 x2 1 (since 1 sin y 1)
1 x2 1
0 x2 1
x 1 i.e. 1 x 1

Example 33 The domain of y = cos1 (x2 4) is

(A) [3, 5]

(B) [0, ]

(C) 5, 3 5, 3

(D) 5, 3 3, 5

Solution (D) is the correct answer. y = cos1 (x2 4 ) cosy = x2 4

i.e. 1 x2 4 1 (since 1 cos y 1)
3 x2 5

3 x 5

x 5, 3 3, 5

Example 34 The domain of the function defined by f (x) = sin1x + cosx is

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

(B) [1, + 1]

(A) [1, 1]

( , )

(C)

33

(D)

Solution (A) is the correct answer. The domain of cos is R and the domain of sin1 is
[1, 1]. Therefore, the domain of cosx + sin1x is R [ 1,1] , i.e., [1, 1].
Example 35 The value of sin (2 sin1 (.6)) is
(A) .48

(B) .96

(C) 1.2

(D) sin 1.2

Solution (B) is the correct answer. Let sin1 (.6) = , i.e., sin = .6.
Now sin (2) = 2 sin cos = 2 (.6) (.8) = .96.
Example 36 If sin1 x + sin1 y =

(A)

, then value of cos1 x + cos1 y is

2

(B)

(C) 0

Solution (A) is the correct answer. Given that sin1 x + sin1 y =

Therefore,

(D)

2
3

(D)

3
4

.
2

1
1
cos x + cos y =
2
2
2

cos1x + cos1y =

.
2

1
1 3
+ tan 1 is
Example 37 The value of tan cos
5
4

(A)

19
8

(B)

8
19

(C)

19
12

1
1 3
+ tan 1 = tan
Solution (A) is the correct answer. tan cos
5
4

1
1 4
+ tan 1
tan
3
4

34

MATHEMATICS

= tan tan 1

4 1
3+4
1 19 19

= tan tan = .
8 8
1 4 1
3 4

Example 38 The value of the expression sin [cot1 (cos (tan1 1))] is
(A) 0

(B) 1

(C)

1
3

Solution (D) is the correct answer.

sin [cot1 (cos

1 2
2
1

=
)] = sin [cot1
]= sin sin
3
3
2
4

1
Example 39 The equation tan1x cot1x = tan1
has
3
(A) no solution
(B) unique solution
(C) infinite number of solutions
(D) two solutions
Solution (B) is the correct answer. We have
tan1x cot1x =

and tan1x + cot1x =

6
2

Adding them, we get 2tan1x =

2
3

tan1x =

i.e., x = 3 .
3

Example 40 If 2 sin1x + cos1x , then

(A) =

, =
2
2

(B) = 0, =

(C) =

, =
2
2

(D) = 0, = 2

(D)

2
.
3

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Solution (B) is the correct answer. We have

+
+
sin1x +

2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
0 sin x + (sin x + cos x)

0 2sin1x + cos1x

sin1 x 2
2

Example 41 The value of tan2 (sec12) + cot2 (cosec13) is

(A) 5

(B) 11

(C) 13

(D) 15

Solution (B) is the correct answer.

tan2 (sec12) + cot2 (cosec13) = sec2 (sec12) 1 + cosec2 (cosec13) 1
= 22 1 + 32 2 = 11.
2.3 EXERCISE
Short Answer (S.A.)

5
13
1
+ cos cos
.
6
6

1.

1
Find the value of tan tan

2.

1
Evaluate cos cos

3.

Prove that cot

4.

Find the value of tan

5.

Find the value of tan1 tan .

3

6.

Show that 2tan1 (3) =

3
2

2 cot 1 3

1
3

7.

cot 1

1
3

1 4
+ tan .
2
3

tan 1 sin

35

36

7.

MATHEMATICS

Find the real solutions of the equation

tan 1

x ( x + 1) + sin 1 x 2 + x + 1 =

.
2

8.

1 1
1
Find the value of the expression sin 2 tan
+ cos tan 2 2 .
3

9.

If 2 tan1 (cos ) = tan1 (2 cosec ), then show that =

,
4

where n is any integer.

10.

1 1
1 1
Show that cos 2 tan
= sin 4 tan
.
7
3

11.

Solve the following equation cos tan 1 x = sin cot 1 .

4

Long Answer (L.A.)

1

1 x2

1 x 2

12.

Prove that tan

13.

1
Find the simplified form of cos

14.

1
Prove that sin

8
3
77
sin 1
sin 1
.
17
5
85

15.

1
Show that sin

5
3
63
cos 1
tan 1
.
13
5
16

16.

1
Prove that tan

17.

1
Find the value of 4 tan

1 x 1 x

1
cos 1 x 2
2

3
4
3
cos x
sin x , where x
,
.
5
5
4 4

1
2
1
+ tan 1 = sin 1
.
4
9
5
1
1
tan 1
.
5
239

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

37

4+ 7
4 7
and justify why the other value
3
3

1 1 3
sin
2
4

18.

Show that tan

19.

is ignored?
If a1, a2, a3,...,an is an arithmetic progression with common difference d, then
evaluate the following expression.

d
d
d
d
1
1
1
tan tan 1
+ tan
+ ... + tan
+ tan
1 + a1 a2
1 + a2 a3
1 + a3 a4
1 + an 1 an

Objective Type Questions

Choose the correct answers from the given four options in each of the Exercises from
20 to 37 (M.C.Q.).
20.

Which of the following is the principal value branch of cos1x?

(A)

21.

2 , 2

(B)

(0, )
2
Which of the following is the principal value branch of cosec1x?
(C)

[0, ]

(D)

(A)

2 2

(B)

23.

[0, ]
2

(D)
2 , 2

If 3tan1 x + cot1 x = , then x equals

2 , 2 {0}

(A)

(C)
22.

(0, )

(B)

The value of sin1

(A)

3
5

(B)

cos

(C)

33
5

is

7
5

(C)

10

(D)

1
.
2

(D)

10

38

MATHEMATICS

24.

The domain of the function cos1 (2x 1) is

(A)
[0, 1]
(B)
[1, 1]
(C)
( 1, 1)
(D)
[0, ]

25.

The domain of the function defined by f (x) = sin1

(A)
(C)

26.

[1, 2]
[0, 1]

1
If cos sin

28.

1
The value of cos cos

3
2

(B)

If tan1 x + tan1y =

If sin

2a
1 a2

(D)

.96

(D)

sin 1.5

3
2

5
2

(D)

7
2

(D)

(D)

(C)

5
6

(C)

1
2

is

7
6

4
, then cot1 x + cot1 y equals
5

5
1

is equal to

(B)

(A)

31.

(C)

The value of the expression 2 sec1 2 + sin1

(A)

30.

2
5

(B)

The value of sin (2 tan1 (.75)) is equal to

.75
(A)
(B)
1.5
(C)

(A)

29.

[1, 1]
none of these

+ cos 1 x = 0 , then x is equal to

5

1
5

(A)
27.

(B)
(D)

x 1 is

(B)

cos

2
5

1 a 2
1 a2

(C)

tan 1

3
5

2x
, where a, x ]0, 1, then
1 x 2

the value of x is
(A)

(B)

a
2

(C)

(D)

2a
1 a 2

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

32.

1
The value of cot cos

(A)

33.

25
24

7
25
(B)

The value of the expression tan

(A)
(C)

(B)

5 2
2

(D)

39

is

25
7

24
25

(C)

1
2
cos 1
2
5

(D)

7
24

(D)

is

52
5

1 cos

Hint :tan =

2
1 + cos

34.

If | x | 1, then 2 tan1 x + sin1

(A)

(B)

4 tan1 x

2x
1 x2
0

is equal to
(C)

36.

If cos1 + cos1 + cos1 = 3, then ( + ) + ( + ) + ( + )

equals
(A)
0
(B)
1
(C)
6
(D)
12
The
number
of
real
solutions
of
the
equation

37.

1 + cos 2 x = 2 cos 1 (cos x)in , is
2
(A)
0
(B)
1
(C)
1
1
If cos x > sin x, then

35.

(A)
(C)

1
< x1
2
1 x <

1
2

(B)

0x<

(D)

x>0

(D)
1
2

Infinite

40

MATHEMATICS

Fill in the blanks in each of the Exercises 38 to 48.

38.

1
The principal value of cos1 is__________.
2

39.

3
The value of sin1 sin is__________.
5

40.

If cos (tan1 x + cot1

41.

1
The set of values of sec1 is__________.
2

42.

The principal value of tan1

43.
44.

3 ) = 0, then value of x is__________.

3 is__________.

14

The value of cos1 cos

is__________.
3

The value of cos (sin1 x + cos1 x), |x| 1 is______ .

45.

sin 1 x + cos 1 x
3
,when x =
The value of expression tan
is_________.
2
2

46.

If y = 2 tan1 x + sin1

47.
48.

2x
1 x2

for all x, then____< y <____.

x y
The result tan1x tan1y = tan1 1 + xy is true when value of xy is _____

1
The value of cot (x) for all x R in terms of cot1x is _______.

State True or False for the statement in each of the Exercises 49 to 55.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.

All trigonometric functions have inverse over their respective domains.

The value of the expression (cos1 x)2 is equal to sec2 x.
The domain of trigonometric functions can be restricted to any one of their
branch (not necessarily principal value) in order to obtain their inverse functions.
The least numerical value, either positive or negative of angle is called principal
value of the inverse trigonometric function.
The graph of inverse trigonometric function can be obtained from the graph of
their corresponding trigonometric function by interchanging x and y axes.

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

n
> , nN , is valid is 5.
4

54.

The minimum value of n for which tan1

55.

1 1

The principal value of sin1 cos sin

is .
2
3

41