College of Engineering and Technology

Dept. of Computer Science & Technology

Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 563-7068 local 1022
Email: winston.tabada@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

6.1 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Let y be defined as a function of x by the equation

sin y = x

that is, x is the sine of y or y is an angle whose sine is x. When this equation is solved for y, a new
kind of function, neither algebraic nor trigonometric, is obtained.

An angle whose sine is x is represented by the symbol arcsin x or sin-1 x:

y = arcsin x if sin y = x

That is, the function arcsin x is the inverse of the sine. Similarly, we lay down the definitions

y = arccos x if cos y = x

y = arctan x if tan y = x

The newly defined functions are called inverse trigonometric functions.

6.2.1 Restrictions to a Single Branch

When an angle is given, its sine, cosine, etc. are uniquely determined because trigonometric
functions are one-valued. On the other hand, if the sine is given, the angle is not uniquely
1 𝜋 5𝜋
determined, there are infinitely many angles whose sine is which may have angle values ,
2 6 6

or an angle differing from one of these by any multiple of 2π. The inverse trigonometric functions
are infinitely many-valued; corresponding to a given value of the variable.

We shall in the future confine our attention to a single branch of each of these functions. The three
principal inverse trigonometric functions are subject to the following restrictions:
𝜋 𝜋
− ≤ arcsin 𝑥 ≤ (1)
2 2

0 ≤ arccos 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋 (2)
𝜋 𝜋
− 2 ≤ arctan 𝑥 ≤ 2
(3)

With (1) in effect, we have now, uniquely,

 1 𝜋
arcsin =
2 6
1 1
Any other angle whose sine is 2 is readily expressed in terms of arcsin 2

5𝜋 6𝜋 𝜋 1
= − = 𝜋 − arcsin
6 6 6 2
13𝜋 12𝜋 𝜋 1
= + = 2𝜋 + arcsin
6 6 6 2

Also,

𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
arcsin(−1) = − 2 not since − 2 ≤ arcsin 𝑥 ≤ 2
take note that 2
= 90°
2

√2 𝜋 √2 3𝜋 𝜋
𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑠 2
= 4
, 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑠 (− 2
) = 4
take note that 4
= 45°

𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛(−1) = − not since − ≤ arctan 𝑥 ≤
4 4 2 2

In dealing with the other three functions, we shall restrict ourselves to positive values of x. The
conventions are as follows:
𝜋
0 ≤ arccot 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 ≥0 (4)
2

𝜋
0 ≤ arcsec 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑥 ≥1 (5)

𝜋
0 ≤ arccsc 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 ≥1 (6)
2

Example 1. Simplify the expression [arctan(2) + arctan(3)]

Let

𝛼 = arctan 2 and 𝛽 = arctan 3

From which

tan 𝛼 = 2 and tan 𝛽 = 3

And let

𝛾 = arctan(2) + arctan(3) = 𝛼 + 𝛽

Then

tan 𝛾 = tan( 𝛼 + 𝛽)
Page 2 of 15
 tan 𝛼+tan 𝛽
Since tan(𝛼 + 𝛽) = from the tangent of the sum of two angles formula
1−tan 𝛼 tan 𝛽

Thus,

tan 𝛼 + tan 𝛽 2+3

tan 𝛾 = tan( 𝛼 + 𝛽) = = = −1
1 − tan 𝛼 tan 𝛽 1−2∙3

The sum of the two positive acute angles must lie in either the first or the second quadrant. Our
𝛾 has a negative tangent, it must lie in the second quadrant. Thus
𝟑𝝅
𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟐 + 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟑 = 𝟒
which is equivalent to 135o = 90o + 45o

Example 2. Simplify the equation

𝜋
arcsin 𝑥 + arcsin 𝑦 = (2.1)
3

𝜋
Take note that = 60° which is one of the special angles.
3

Let 𝛼 = arcsin 𝑥 and 𝛽 = arcsin 𝑦

So that (1) becomes

𝜋
𝛼+ 𝛽= 3
(2.2)

sin 𝛼 = 𝑥 cos 𝛼 = √1 − 𝑥 2

sin 𝛽 = 𝑦 cos 𝛽 = √1 − 𝑦 2

Taking the cosine of both members of (2.2)

𝜋 1
cos(𝛼 + 𝛽) = cos =
3 2

But cos(𝛼 + 𝛽) = cos 𝛼 cos 𝛽 − sin 𝛽 sin 𝛼

Substitute the values of cos 𝛼 cos 𝛽 − sin 𝛽 sin 𝛼

1
cos 𝛼 cos 𝛽 − sin 𝛽 sin 𝛼 = 2

1
√1 − 𝑥 2 √1 − 𝑦 2 − 𝑦𝑥 =
2
1
√(1 − 𝑥 2 )(1 − 𝑦 2 ) = + 𝑦𝑥
2
Page 3 of 15
Squaring both sides
1 1
(1 − 𝑥 2 )(1 − 𝑦 2 ) = + 2 (2) 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2
4

1
1 − 𝑦2 − 𝑥2 + 𝑥2𝑦2 = + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 2
4

1
1 − 𝑦2 − 𝑥2 = 4
+ 𝑥𝑦

1
1− = 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2
4
4−1 3
4
= 4
= 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥 2

Multiply both sides with 4

3 = 4𝑦 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑥 2 (3)
1 1 𝜋
If we let 𝑥 = 2, that is sin 𝛼 = 2 then 𝛼 = 30° = 6
we solve for y in (3)

2
1 1 2
3 = 4𝑦 + 4 ( ) 𝑦 + 4 ( )
2 2

3 = 4𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 + 1

3 − 1 = 4𝑦 2 + 2𝑦

2 = 4𝑦 2 + 2𝑦 or 1 = 2𝑦 2 + 𝑦

2𝑦 2 + 𝑦 − 1 = 0 (4)

Solving for y using the quadratic formula where a=2, b=1 and c=-1

−𝑏± √𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −1± √1−4(2)(−1) −1± √9 −1±3

𝑦= 2𝑎
= 2(2)
= 4
= 4

−1+3 2 1 1 𝜋
For 𝑦 = 4
= 4
= 2
, then sin 𝛽 = 2 which means that 𝛽 = 30° = 6

Using equation (2)

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝛼+ 𝛽= + =
6 6 3
𝜋
Example 3. Change the equation 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥) + 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑦) = 2
to algebraic form.

Let
𝜋
𝛼 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥) and 𝛽 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑦) then 𝛼 + 𝛽 = 2
(3.1)

Page 4 of 15
From which

sin(𝛼) = 𝑥 and sin(𝛽) = 𝑦 (3.2)

cos(𝛼) = √1 − 𝑥 2 and cos(𝛽) = √1 − 𝑦 2 (3.2’)

Applying the sine function to both sides of equation (3.1)

𝜋
sin(𝛼 + 𝛽) = sin ( 2 ) (3.3)

𝜋
But cos ( 2 ) = 0 and cos(𝛼 + 𝛽) = cos(𝛼) cos(𝛽) − sin(𝛽) sin(𝛼)

cos(𝛼) cos(𝛽) − sin(𝛽) sin(𝛼) = 0

cos(𝛼) cos(𝛽) = sin(𝛽) sin(𝛼) (3.4)

From eq. 3.2 and 3.2’

√1 − 𝑥 2 √1 − 𝑦 2 = 𝑥𝑦

Squaring both sides

(1 − 𝑥 2 )(1 − 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2

Simplifying

1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦2 + 𝑥2𝑦2 = 𝑥2𝑦2

Transposing the variables of the left side to the right side of the equation

1 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑥2𝑦2 + 𝑥2𝑦2

𝟏 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 or 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏 which is the algebraic equation of a circle whose radius is 1.

1
Example 4. Show that cos(arctan 𝑥) =
√1+𝑥 2

𝑥
Let 𝛼 = arctan(𝑥) which means that tan 𝛼 =
1

As shown in the Figure, by definition of the cosine function

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 1
x cos(𝛼) = =
ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 √1 + 𝑥 2
α
1

Page 5 of 15
Exercises for 6.2.1 (see Homework 16)
1. Find the value of θ in radian as well as the equivalent inverse of the other trigonometric
functions for the following inverse trigonometric function:
1
a. 𝜃 = arcsec √2 c. 𝜃 = arctan (− )
√3
b. 𝜃 = arccos(−1)
d. 𝜃 = arctan √3
2𝑥√1−𝑥 2 3
2. Show that tan(2 arccos 𝑥) = 7. Simplify arctan 4 − arctan 5
2𝑥 2 −1

4 1
3. Show that sin(2 arccos 𝑥) = 2𝑥√1 − 𝑥 2 8. Simplify arccos 5 + arctan 7

2 1 5 12
4. Evaluate tan (arctan − arctan ) 9. Simplify arcsin 13 + arcsin 13
3 5

12 3 12 1 2
5. Evaluate cos (arcsin 13 − arccos 5) 10. Simplify arctan + arctan − arctan
5 5 3

2 6
6. Evaluate sin (arctan 9 − arctan 7)

11. Change the equation to algebraic form

𝜋
a. arctan 𝑥 + arctan 𝑦 = 4 c. 2arcsin 𝑥 + arcsin 𝑦 = 𝜋
𝜋
b. arccos 𝑥 + arcsin 𝑦 =
𝜋 d. arctan 𝑥 + arctan 𝑦 =
2
6

6.2.2 Derivatives of the Inverse Trigonometric Functions

To differentiate the function

y = arcsin x

Let us pass to the form

sin(y) = x (1)

Differentiating equation (1) yields:

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
cos(𝑦) = =1
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 1
𝑑𝑥
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦

From sin2 y + cos2 y = 1

cos(𝑦) = √1 − sin2 𝑦

Page 6 of 15
 𝜋 𝜋
Since sin(y) = x and − ≤𝑦 ≤
2 2

cos(𝑦) = √1 − 𝑥 2

Thus,

𝑑 1
arcsin 𝑥 =
𝑑𝑥 √1 − 𝑥 2

Using the same technique for getting the derivative y= arcsin x, it is easy to prove that general
derivative formulas for the three principal functions are as follows:

𝑑𝑢
𝑑 𝑑𝑥
arcsin 𝑢 =
𝑑𝑥 √1 − 𝑢2

𝑑𝑢
𝑑
arcscos 𝑢 = − 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 √1 − 𝑢2

𝑑𝑢
𝑑 𝑑𝑥
arctan 𝑢 =
𝑑𝑥 1 + 𝑢2

Example 1. What is the derivative of 𝑦 = arcsin(2 cos 𝜃)

𝑑𝑢
Let 𝑢 = 2 cos 𝜃 whose derivative is 𝑑𝜃
= −2 sin 𝜃

𝑑𝑢
𝑑 𝑑𝜃 −𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
arcsin(2 cos 𝜃) = =
𝑑𝜃 √1−𝑢2 √𝟏−𝟒𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜽

𝑥
Example 2. What is the derivative of 𝑦 = a2 arcsin 𝑎 − 𝑥√𝑎2 − 𝑥 2

𝑑𝑦 𝑑 𝑥 𝑑
𝑑𝑥
= 𝑑𝑥 (a2 arcsin 𝑎) − 𝑑𝑥 ( 𝑥√𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 ) (2.1)

𝑑 𝑥
Differentiate 𝑑𝑥 (a2 arcsin 𝑎) separately

𝑥 𝑑𝑢 1
Let 𝑢 = whose derivative is =
𝑎 𝑑𝑥 𝑎

𝑑𝑢 1
𝑑 a2 a2 𝑎 𝐚𝟐
(a2 arcsin 𝑢) = 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑎
=1 = (2.2)
𝑑𝑥 √1−𝑢2 2 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2 √𝒂𝟐 −𝒙𝟐
√1−(𝑥) 𝑎
𝑎

Page 7 of 15
 𝑑
Differentiate
𝑑𝑥
( 𝑥√𝑎2 − 𝑥2)

𝑑 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑢
( 𝑥 √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 ) = 𝑢 +𝑣
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑢
where 𝑢 = 𝑥 whose derivative is 𝑑𝑥
=1

1
𝑑𝑣 2𝑥
𝑣 = √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 whose derivative is = (𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 )−2 (−2𝑥) = −
𝑑𝑥 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2

Thus,

𝑑 −2𝑥 𝟐𝒙𝟐
( 𝑥√𝑎2 − 𝑥2) = 𝑥 ( ) + √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 (1) = √𝒂𝟐 − 𝒙𝟐 − (2.3)
𝑑𝑥 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2 √𝒂𝟐 −𝒙𝟐

Combining equations (2.2) and (2.3) to form equation (2.1)

𝑑𝑦 𝐚𝟐 2𝑥 2 a2 2𝑥 2
= − (√𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 − )= + − √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥 √𝒂𝟐 −𝒙 𝟐 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2

𝑑𝑦 a2 +2𝑥 2 −a2 +𝑥 2 𝟑𝒙𝟐

= =
𝑑𝑥 √𝑎 2 −𝑥 2 √𝒂𝟐 −𝒙𝟐

Example 3. A ladder 15 ft long leans against a vertical wall. If the top slides down at 2 ft/sec, how
fast is the angle of elevation of the ladder decreasing, when the lower end is 12 ft
from the wall?

Page 8 of 15
Example 4. A ship, moving 8 mi/hr, sails north for 30 min, then turns east. If a searchlight at the
point of departure follows the ship, how fast is the light rotating 2 hr after the start.

Page 9 of 15
Example 5. A balloon, leaving the ground 60 ft from an observer, rises 10 ft/sec. How fast is the
angle of elevation of the line of sight increasing, after 8 seconds?

Example 6. The base of a right triangle grows 2 ft/sec, the altitude grows 4 ft/sec. If the base and
altitude are originally 10 ft and 6 ft, respectively, find the time rate of change of the base
angle, when the angle is 45°.

Solution:

Page 10 of 15
Example 7. A rowboat is pushed off from a beach at 8 ft/sec. A man on shore holds a rope, tied
to the boat, at a height of 4 ft. Find how fast the angle of elevation of the rope is
decreasing, after 1 sec.

Page 11 of 15
Example 8. A kite is 60 ft high with 100 ft of cord out. If the kite is moving horizontally 4 mi/hr
directly away from the boy flying it, find the rate of change of the angle of elevation of
the cord.

Example 9. A ship, moving 10 mi/hr, sails east for 2 hours, then turns N 30° E. A searchlight,
placed at the starting point, follows the ship. Find how fast the light is rotating (a) 4
hours after the start; (b) just after the turn.

Page 12 of 15
Example 10. A car drives south at 20 mi/hr. Another car, starting from the same point at the same
time and traveling 40 mi/hr, goes
east for 30 minutes then turns
north. Find the rate of rotation of
the line joining the cars (a) 1
hour after the start; (b) at the
time the second car makes its
turn.

Page 13 of 15
Example 11. The lower edge of the picture is a ft, the upper edge is b ft, above the eye of an
observer. At what horizontal distance should he stand, if the vertical angle subtended
by the picture is to be greatest?

Soluiion:

Page 14 of 15
Exercises 6.2.2 (see Homework 17)

I. Find the derivative of the following functions (2 points) :

𝑥
1. 𝑦 = arcsin 𝑎 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 > 0

2. 𝑦 = arcsin(1 − 2𝑥)

3. 𝑦 = arccos √1 − 𝑥

4. 𝑦 = arctan (1 + 4𝑥)

5. 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1)√2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 + arcsin(𝑥 − 1)

II. Solve the following problems (5 points)

1. A ship is moving 8 miles per hour, sails east for 2 hours then turns 30 degrees west
of north (N 30o W). If a search light at the point of departure follows the ship, how fast
(in radians per hour) is the light rotating 3 hours after the start?

2. The lower edge of the picture is 3 feet above the eye of an observer. The height of
the picture is 3 feet. At what horizontal distance should he stand, if the vertical angle
subtended by the picture is to be greatest?

Page 15 of 15