INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 356

LESSON 24
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

PRELIMINARY
The mathematical definition of a function from set to set is that, to each element there
exists a unique element such that As we know that in trigonometric functions, we are
given the angle and we calculate the trigonometric ratio or the value at that angle.
Also to many values of the angle the value of trigonometric ratio is same. e.g., for
etc. Inverse trigonometry deals with obtaining the angle, given the value of a
trigonometric ratio. Now, direct trigonometric functions quite obviously follow the definition of a
function (they are many – one functions), but in inverse trigonometry, if we say that to a certain value of
the trigonometric ratio there corresponds many values of the angle, it violates the definition of the
function (it becomes a one-many relation). That is why, some restrictions have been imposed on the
angles, and these are based on the principle values of the angles.
The inverse of sine function is defined as or arc where and
e.g. and nothing else although etc. are also equal to

only. Note that

We list below the definitions of all inverse trigonometric functions with their respective domains and
ranges.
Function y f(x) Domain (permitted value of x) Range (permitted value of y)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

e.g., etc.
 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 357

SOME USEFUL FORMULAE

(i)

or
or

(ii) only if
only if
only if
only if

only if or

only if or

e.g., as
Infact

Note 1.
2. does not always imply that (it implies only when
)

(e.g. does not implies that )

(iii)

or
or

(iv) or

or
 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 358

(v)

or

(vi) (a)

(b)

(vii)

(viii) (a)
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(b)

Classroom Practice Paper

1. Find the principal values of the following :

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)

2. Evaluate the following :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

3. Write the following functions in the simplest form :

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v) (vi) (vii)

4. Prove that

5. If are positive real numbers, then prove that

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6. Solve the following equations

(i) (ii)

(iii)

7. Prove that :
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SOLVED SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

Example 1 Express in terms of

Solution Let

& i.e.

Now consider the following cases

Case I When i.e.

The given expression may be written as

Case II When i.e.

Then given expression may written as

Case III When i.e.

The given expression may written as

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Hence,

Example 2 Find the value of the following :

(i) (ii)

(iii)

Solution (i)

(ii)

(iii)

Example 3 In any triangle If and Prove that

Solution Given, and
since are angles of a triangle,

Now,

for and Here

From (1),
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Example 4 Prove that

Solution We have to prove that

Now, L.H.S.

R.H.S.

L.H.S R.H.S

Hence the result.

Example 5 Prove that

Solution Let

as

Now let

L.H.S. R.H.S
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Example 6 Prove that

where

Solution Let (1)

L.H.S.

where

put value of from equation (1)

Aliter
Let

Now

as
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Example 7 If

show that

Solution s

as

squaring :

Example 8 If express as an algebraic function of Hence or otherwise

prove that is a root of the equation

Solution (1)

(2)

Let

(as given from (1))

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is a root of the equation

Example 9 Solve

Solution Given equation is

But does not satisfy the given equation. Hence the given equation has no solution.

Note : Infact satisfies

Example 10 If
show that
Solution (1)
Let

from (1)
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squaring

Hence proved.
Example 11 Find all positive integral solutions of the equation

Solution [We have to find values of and which arc positive as well as integers. In such
problem first we find in terms of or vice versa. Then apply the condition that and
are positive as well as integers]
Given,

or,

or,

or,

or, or, or,

(1)

when is positive, numerator is ve. For to be positive denominator must be ve

i.e., or [For positive integers]
Substituting the values of in (1),
Solutions are or Clearly both solutions satisfy the original
equation.

Example 12 Solve

Solution First find the restrictions on for the terms to be defined, then see which value satisfies
the given equation.
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For to be defined

i.e. (1)
For to be defined, (2)
Thus both terms will be defined only when
[Combing (1) and (2), we get the above result]
Case I When

Hence, cannot be equal to

Hence equation in not satisfied is this case

Case II When

i.e., equation is satisfied in this case

is the only solution.

 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 369

SOLVED OBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

Example 1 Number of solution of the equation

lying in the interval is

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

Solution c
The given equation is meaningful only when i.e. or
Now,

in

(c)

Example 2 The equation is solvable for

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution c

Let Then the given equation becomes

where

For real Disc.

Also,

Thus,
(c)
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Example 3 If and such that then the maximum number of

value of the pair is

(a) 8 (b) 10 (c) 6 (d) None of these

Solution c

But

the equation implies

the number of values of the pair

(c)

Example 4 The value of is

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution b

(b)
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Example 5 If for then equals

(a) (b) 1 (c) (d)

Solution b

This is true only when

(Common ratios are & & |common ratios| in the given interval)

or { cannot be zero as }.

(b)
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.
EXERCISE – I

CBSE PROBLEMS

1. Find the principal value of the following :

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v)

2. Using principal value evaluate the following expressions :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v)

3. Evaluate the following :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)

(vii)

4. Evaluate the following :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)
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(v)

5. Evaluate the following :

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(v)
6. Prove the following :

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

7. Prove the following :

(i) (ii)

8. Write the following functions in the simplest form:

(i) (ii)

9. Prove that

10. If prove that

11. If then prove that

12. If then prove that

13. Solve the following equation for x:
(i)

(ii)

(iii)
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(iv)
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EXERCISE – II
AIEEE-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. is equal to
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2. The principal value of is
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
3. If then the value of is

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

4. The value of is
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5. The value of

is

(a) 0 (b) (c) (d)

6. is true for
(a) all real (b) positive real only (c) only (d) only

7. is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

8. is equal to
(a) (b) (c) (d)
9. If then is equal to
(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) (d)
10. Indicate the relation which is not true
(a) (b) (c) (d)
11. is given by
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
12. is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

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13. The value of is

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

14. If then value of is
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d)
15. The value of satisfying are
(a) 1, 0 (b) (c) (d) None of these
16. If and then
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
17. The solution of the inequality is
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
18. The value of is
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d) None of these
19. If then the value of is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
20. If then

(a) (b) (c) 0 (d)

21. The value of is

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

22. The value of
(a) (b) (c) (d)

23. The principal value of is

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

24. The numerical value of is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

25. If then values of is :

(a) (b) (c) (d) 2

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EXERCISE – III

IIT-JEE SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

2. If then equals

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

3. If then equals

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

4. The number of triplets satisfying is
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) Infinite
5. Which of the following is not true?

(a) if (b) if

(c) if (d) None of these

6. If then is equal to if

(a) (b) (c) 0 (d) None of these

7. The smallest and the largest values of are

(a) (b) (c) (d)

8. Sum infinite terms of the series is

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

9. If then :
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(a) (b) (c) (d)

10. If then the smallest interval in which lies is

(a) (b) (c) (d)

11. If then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

12. The number of solution of the equation; is :

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

13. is equal to,

(a) (b) (c) (d) 0

14. If then is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

15. If then is equal to

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

16. Let where [.] denotes the greatest integer function. Then is
equals to

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

17. The number of real solution of where is

(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) 3 (d) 4
18. If is the only real root of the equation then the value of

is equal to

(a) (b) (c) 0 (d) Non-existent

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19. If being a natural number, then maximum value of is

(a) 1 (b) 5 (c) 9 (d) None of these

20. If then the value of will be

(a) (b) (c) (d)

21. If then is equal to

(a) (b) (c) 0 (d) None of these

22. holds if
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

23. If are the roots of the equation then general value of

is

(a) (b)

(c) (d) depend upon value of

24. If where [.] denotes the greatest integer function, then is given by
the interval
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

25. If then is equal to

(a) 0 (b) 5 (c) 10 (d) None of these

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EXERCISE – IV

MORE THAN ONE CHOICE CORRECT

1. If and are the roots of the equation then

(a) both and are real
(b) exactly one out of and is real
(c) exactly one out of and is real
(d) both and are real

2. If then which of the following are real

(a) (b) (c) (d)

3. If and then the value
of is
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d)

4. Let Then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

5. Then may belongs to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

6. and are the angles given by and

then
(a) (b) (c) (d)
7. Indicate the relation which is/are not true
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

8. The value(s) of of the equation is / are

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 0 (d)

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9. has
(a) as the only one solution (b) as one of the solution
(c) no solution (d) more than one solution

10. The integral solution of the equation is

(a) (b) (c) (d)

11. holds, then the value of may belongs to

(a) (b) (c) (d)

12. If then

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

13. If then the value(s) of is / are

(a) (b) (c) (d)

14. Let then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

15. If are such that and and so on, then

(a) (b) (c) (d)

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EXERCISE – V

MATCH THE FOLLOWING

Note : Each statement in column – I has only one match in column – II

1.

Column – I Column – II
I. A.

II. B.

III. C.

IV. D.

E.

where is a fixed number, that can be chosen suitably in the corresponding interval.

2. Let be such that

Column – I Column – II
I. If and then A. lies on the circle

II. If and then B. lies on

III. If and then C. lies on

IV. If and then D. lies on

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3.

Column – I Column – II

I. No. of solution of is A. 2

II. No. of real solutions of

B. 1

III. Value of for

C.
is

IV. The value of D.

E.
 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 384

ASSERTION AND REASON TYPE

Direction : Read the following questions and choose :

(A) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(B) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not correct explanation of the Assertion.
(C) If Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(D) If Assertion is false but Reason is true.

1. Assertion : then is a function of

Reason : A function cannot be multivalued.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D
2. Assertion :

Reason : is a decreasing function.

(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

3. Assertion : Range of the expression. is

Reason : Range should be calculated for

(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

4. Assertion : If then

Reason : If then and

(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

5. Assertion : If and then there exists no solution of the equation

Reason : Since if and if

(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

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PASSAGE BASED PROBLEMS

A function is defined as

1. is equal to

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

2. If then is equal to
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
3. If then is equal to
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
4. is periodic with period

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these

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EXERCISE –VI

SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

1. Find the principal values of

(i)

(ii)
2. Express

(i) in terms of

(ii) & in terms of

3. Find the value of at

4. Prove that

5. If prove that
(i)

(ii)

6. If then prove that

7. Solve for

8. Solve the following simultaneous equations for and

9. If are the roots of the equation

 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 387

Then prove that

for some integer

10. Solve
11. Determine the greater of the two angles

and
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ANSWER TO CLASSROOM PRACTICE PAPER

1. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v) (vi)

2. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

3. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v) (vi) (vii)

6. (i)
(ii)
(iii)
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ANSWERS

EXERCISE – I
CBSE PROBLEMS

1. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v)

2. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v)

3. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v) (vi) (vii)

4. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(v)

5. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 1

(v) 0

8. (i) (ii)

13. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 390

EXERCISE – II

AIEEE-SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (a)

6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (d) 10. (c)

11. (b) 12. (c) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (c)

16. (a) 17. (b) 18. (c) 19. (c) 20. (a)

21. (d) 22. (d) 23. (d) 24. (a) 25. (b)

EXERCISE – III

IIT-JEE SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (c)

6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (d)

11. (c) 12. (a) 13. (d) 14. (d) 15. (b)

16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (b) 19. (b) 20. (a)

21. (a) 22. (d) 23. (a) 24. (a) 25. (c)

EXERCISE – IV

MORE THAN ONE CHOICE CORRECT

1. (b, c, d) 2. (c, d) 3. (b, c) 4. (b, c) 5. (b, d)

6. (b, c) 7. (b, c) 8. (a, c) 9. (b, d) 10. (a, b, c, d)

11. (a, c) 12. (a, d) 13. (a, b) 14. (b, c) 15. (a, b)
 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 391

EXERCISE – V

MATCH THE FOLLOWING

1.
2.
3.

ASSERTION AND REASON TYPE

1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (d) 4. (a) 5. (b)

PASSAGE BASED PROBLEMS

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (b)

EXERCISE – VI

SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS

1. (i) (ii)

3.

7.

8.

10.

11.