A REPORT ON THE REAL LIFE APPLICATIONS OF INVERSE

TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

A Project Report
Submitted to
Department of Mathematics
SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Gandaki
Kaski, Nepal

Submitted by
Bibek Pariyar
Class XI (A)
Roll No. 14

Under Supervision: Khagendra Baral

 ABSTRACT
Inverse trigonometric functions play a pivotal role in various real-world scenarios,
from engineering and physics to navigation and computer graphics. This report
explores the practical applications of inverse trigonometric functions, shedding light
on their indispensable role in solving problems that involve angles and measurements.
We delve into three key domains where these functions find profound relevance.

In the field of engineering, inverse trigonometric functions are utilized to analyze and
design mechanical systems, such as linkages and gears. We discuss how engineers
employ inverse trigonometric functions to determine angles, distances, and forces,
enabling the optimization of complex machinery.

Additionally, we examine the significance of inverse trigonometric functions in

physics, where they aid in solving problems related to oscillatory motion, such as
pendulum swings and harmonic oscillators. The report demonstrates how these
functions are instrumental in determining phase angles and amplitudes, facilitating
precise predictions and measurements in physical systems.

Navigation applications, both in terrestrial and celestial contexts, also rely heavily on
inverse trigonometric functions. We explore how mariners, aviators, and astronomers
use these functions to calculate positions, angles, and distances, allowing for accurate
navigation, celestial object tracking, and celestial positioning.

By exploring these real-life applications, this report highlights the versatility and
indispensability of inverse trigonometric functions across multiple disciplines. Their
ability to translate angles into real-world measurements and solve complex problems
makes them a fundamental tool in both theoretical and practical domains.
Understanding these applications is essential for professionals and students in STEM
fields, as it opens up new possibilities for problem-solving and innovation.

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 LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Domain and range of inverse trigonometric functions…………………………1

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Graph of trigonometric functions....................................................................2
Figure 2 Graph of inverse trigonometric functions........................................................3

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COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2023 by Bibek Pariyar. All rights reserved. This project report is
protected by copyright laws and international treaties. The reproduction, distribution,
and utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, is strictly
prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact pariyarbibek117@gmail.com .

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................i
LIST OF TABLES..........................................................................................................................ii
LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................ii
COPYRIGHT..............................................................................................................................iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………iv

Chapter 1..................................................................................................................................1
I. Introduction of Inverse Trigonometric Functions.........................................................1
II. Historical background...................................................................................................4
III. Objective of the work...............................................................................................4
IV. Significance of the work............................................................................................5
V. Limitation of work.........................................................................................................5
Chapter 2..................................................................................................................................5
Engineering Applications:.....................................................................................................5
i. Structural Design.......................................................................................................5
ii. Robotics....................................................................................................................5
iii. Signal Processing.......................................................................................................6
Physics Applications:.............................................................................................................6
i. Wave Motion............................................................................................................6
ii. Oscillations................................................................................................................7
iii. Celestial Mechanics...................................................................................................7
Computer Science Applications............................................................................................8
i. Computer Graphics...................................................................................................8
ii. Gaming......................................................................................................................8
Geography and Navigation Applications...............................................................................8
i. Geolocation...............................................................................................................8
ii. Map Projections........................................................................................................9
Medical Imaging Applications...............................................................................................9
i. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).........................................................................9
ii. CT (Computed Tomography) Scans...........................................................................9
Conclusion:...............................................................................................................................9
Reference:..............................................................................................................................10

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 Chapter 1
I. Introduction of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Inverse trigonometric functions, also inverse circular functions, are
mathematical functions that operate on the output of standard
trigonometric functions (such as sine, cosine, and tangent) and produce
angles as their results. These functions are denoted by symbols like sin-
1
(x),cos-1(x) and tan-1(x), where x is a real number.

The primary purpose of inverse trigonometric functions is to find an angle

when the value of a trigonometric ratio is known. In other words, if you
know the sine, cosine, or tangent of an angle, you can use the
corresponding inverse trigonometric function to find the angle itself.

The trigonometric functions are made inverse by restricting their domain

and co domain. The table given below provides the domain and the range
of inverse trigometric functions:

Functions Domain Range

1. y = sin-1(x) [-1,1] −π π
[ , ]
2 2
2. y = cos-1(x) [-1,1] [0, π ¿
3. -1
y = tan (x) R −π π
( , )
2 2
4. y = cosec-1(x) R-(-1,1) π
¿, ]-{0}
2
5. -1
y = sec (x) R-(-1,1) π
[0, π ¿-{ }
2
6. -1
y = cot (x) R (0, π )
Table 1: Domain and range of inverse trigonometric functions

For understanding better, we can also look at the graph of some

trigonometric functions and their inverse:

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 Figure 1 Graph of trigonometric functions

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 Figure 2 Graph of inverse trigonometric functions

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 II. Historical background
The development of inverse trigonometric functions is closely tied to the
history of trigonometry itself. Ancient cultures, including the Babylonians
and Greeks, made significant contributions to the study of angles and
triangles. The Greeks, particularly Hipparchus, are credited with
developing the early concepts of trigonometry.

However, the explicit use of inverse trigonometric functions in

mathematical formulations evolved over time. The Indian mathematician
and astronomer Aryabhata, in the 5th century, provided trigonometric
tables that included values of sine functions, which indirectly involved the
concept of inverses.

In the Islamic Golden Age, scholars like Al-Battani and Al-Khwarizmi

continued to advance trigonometry. The Persian mathematician Al-Biruni,
in the 11th century, discussed the concept of trigonometric functions and
their inverses, although not using the modern notation.

It wasn't until the European Renaissance that trigonometry and its inverse
functions began to take a more recognizable form. The work of
mathematicians like John Napier, who introduced logarithms, and Henry
Briggs, who developed common logarithms, played a crucial role in the
development of techniques that eventually led to the explicit use of inverse
trigonometric functions.

In the 17th century, the invention of calculus by Isaac Newton and

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz provided a more systematic framework for
dealing with trigonometric functions and their inverses. The development
of analytical geometry and the complex number system further solidified
the mathematical foundations.
By the 18th century, mathematicians like Leonhard Euler were using the
familiar notations sin-1(x), cos-1(x) and tan-1(x) to represent inverse
trigonometric functions. The understanding and use of these functions
continued to grow in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming essential tools
in various branches of mathematics and applications in science and
engineering.

III. Objective of the work

The objective of the work is:

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  To study the real-life applications of the inverse trigonometric
functions.

IV. Significance of the work

This project holds a greater significance for the readers who want to learn
about the real-life applications of inverse trigonometric functions. This
project encompasses the wide-ranging real-life applications of inverse
trigonometric functions from physical applications to medical applications
to computer graphics and navigation applications. This project provides
critical information for holistic understanding on the topic.

V. Limitation of work
While preparing this project report, we became unable to contact any
professional on the given topic and the information given here is provided
from Secondary Methodology only which includes books, the internet,
articles, websites, and other such means. Furthermore, the practical real-
life applications mentioned in this report weren’t able to be done by us in
real life.

Chapter 2

The real-life applications of inverse trigonometric functions are:

Engineering Applications: Inverse trigonometric functions find

extensive applications in various engineering disciplines.
i. Structural Design: In civil and mechanical engineering, these
functions are utilized to analyze and design structures subjected to
forces and deformations. Inverse trigonometric functions are used
in determining:
 Angle of elevation in bridge design
 Pitch angle in roof design
 Vertical and horizontal angles in construction and surveying
 Staircase design in architectural design
 Slope stability analysis
 Wind angle and forces in wind load analysis
 Pipeline slope in pipeline design
 Reservoir slope in dam design
ii. Robotics: In robotics, inverse trigonometric functions are
instrumental in solving problems related to the spatial orientation,

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 kinematics, and path planning. The some applications of inverse
trigonometric functions in robotics are:
 Calculating joint angles for precise control using inverse
kinematics in robotic arm positioning.
 Stabilizes orientation using inverse trigonometric functions
in quadcopter stabilization.
 Controls limb angles of robot for natural movement.
 Adjusts robot position based on visual feedback.
 Adjusts finger angles for effective object grasping.
 Interprets human gestures for improved collaboration.
 Ensures precise movement for creating complex shapes in
3D printing and additive manufacturing.
 Helps control joint angles for aiding mobility for robotic
exoskeleton.
iii. Signal Processing: In electrical engineering, inverse
trigonometric functions play a key role in signal processing. They
are used in applications such as Fourier analysis to decompose
complex signals into simpler components, aiding in the analysis
and synthesis of electrical signals. The applications of inverse
trigonometric functions are:
 Generating digital waveforms or synthesizing signals at
specific frequencies.
 Demodulating QAM(Quadrature Amplitude Modulation)
signals to recover the original data.
 Analyzing the Doppler shift in radar systems to determine
the velocity of a moving target.
 In color image processing, transformations between color
spaces often involve inverse trigonometric functions.
 Analyzing phase information in electrocardiogram(ECG)
signals.
 Analyzing formant frequencies in speech signals.
 Determining phase shifts for stereo imaging.

Physics Applications: Inverse trigonometric functions are

fundamental in describing various physical phenomena.
i. Wave Motion: In wave mechanics, the amplitude and phase
of a wave are often described using inverse trigonometric
functions. For instance, the displacement of a vibrating string
or the oscillation of particles in a medium can be expressed
using these functions. The some applications are:
 Analyzing and synthesizing complex sound waveforms.
 Modeling the harmonic content of musical instruments.

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  Analyzing and manipulating alternating current (AC)
waveforms.
 Modulating signals for efficient communication.
 Analyzing seismic waveforms to understand Earth's
subsurface.
 Analyzing and modelling tidal wave patterns in oceans.
 Analyzing and shaping wavefronts of light.
 Analyzing vibrations for structural health assessment.
 Contributing to design antennas for optimal wave
propagation.
 Analyzing ultrasound waveforms for medical imaging.
ii. Oscillations: The motion of pendulums, springs, and other
oscillatory systems is often modeled using inverse
trigonometric functions. These functions help in determining
displacement, velocity, and acceleration as a function of time.
The applications are:
 Modelling and analyzing the motion of swinging
pendulums.
 Describing the displacement and velocity of masses in
spring systems undergoing harmonic oscillations.
 Analyzing AC circuits and voltage oscillations.
 Analyzing the oscillatory patterns in electrocardiogram
(ECG) signals for heart rate monitoring.
 Regulating the oscillations of pendulum clocks for accurate
timekeeping.
iii. Celestial Mechanics: In astronomy and celestial
mechanics, inverse trigonometric functions are used to
calculate angles and positions of celestial bodies. They play a
crucial role in predicting the motion of planets, satellites, and
other celestial objects. The applications are:
 Determining the position of celestial bodies and spacecraft
in the sky.
 Calculating the orbital elements and positions of satellites
based on observed data.
 Planning trajectories for spacecraft to reach and explore
planets.
 Used in telescope control systems to determine the angles
required for aiming and tracking celestial objects
 Assisting in determining the orientation of spacecraft in
space.
 Planning and executing orbit insertion maneuvers around
the Moon.

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 Computer Science Applications: Inverse trigonometric functions
play a vital role in computer science, particularly in graphics and
animation.
i. Computer Graphics: In computer graphics, inverse
trigonometric functions are used to determine angles and
positions of vertices, facilitating realistic rendering and
animation. They are essential for creating lifelike movements in
virtual environments. The applications are:
 Animating realistic and smooth character movements, such
as walking and running.
 Controlling the orientation and movement of virtual
cameras for realistic perspectives.
 Calculating angles and rotations in 3D models for accurate
positioning.
 Designing smooth curves used in graphic design and
modeling.
 Mapping textures onto 3D surfaces for realistic rendering.
ii. Gaming: In game development, inverse trigonometric
functions help model realistic motion and interactions. They
contribute to character animations, camera movements, and the
calculation of angles for realistic in-game physics. The
applicatons are:
 Calculating angles for enemy AI navigation, enabling
realistic and strategic movements.
 Simulating realistic projectile paths, affecting the accuracy
and behavior of in-game projectiles.
 Creating smooth and visually appealing animations in
interactive menus and interfaces.
 Creating camera shake effects during intense moments in
games, providing immersive feedback to players.
 Simulating realistic steering and turning movements for in-
game vehicles.
 Assisting in spatial tracking for AR games, ensuring
accurate placement of virtual objects in the real world.

Geography and Navigation Applications: Inverse trigonometric

functions are applied in geographical and navigation systems.
i. Geolocation: In geolocation systems, inverse trigonometric
functions help determine the position of an object based on
distance measurements from known locations. This is integral
in applications such as GPS navigation. The applications are:
 Calculating the latitude and longitude coordinates of GPS-
enabled devices.
 Determining the direction and orientation of objects or
users in geolocation systems.

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  Playing a role in surveying by calculating angles and
distances between known points.
 Planning and controlling the flight path of drones, ensuring
accurate positioning.
 Calculating the epicenter of earthquakes based on the
arrival times of seismic waves.

ii. Map Projections: In cartography, inverse trigonometric

functions are used to develop map projections that accurately
represent the surface of the Earth on a flat map. The
applications are:
 Converting GPS coordinates to different map projections
for accurate location tracking.
 Transforming and analyzing spatial data in GIS applications
to maintain accurate geographic relationships.
 Converting geographic coordinates for accurate
representation on aviation navigation charts.
 Projecting meteorological data onto maps, aiding in weather
analysis and forecasting.
 Accurately representing land parcels and structures on
urban maps for planning purposes.

Medical Imaging Applications: Inverse trigonometric functions are

employed in medical imaging to reconstruct images and understand spatial
relationships.
i. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) :
The applications of inverse trigonometric functions are:
 Interpreting the signals received from the magnetic
resonance of tissues.
 Contributing to the reconstruction of high-resolution images
used in medical diagnosis.
ii. CT (Computed Tomography) Scans:
The applications are:
 Processing X-ray data and reconstruct detailed cross-
sectional images of the body.

Conclusion:
The exploration of real-life applications of inverse trigonometric functions
reveals their important role across diverse fields. From engineering and
physics to computer science, geography, and medical imaging, these
functions contribute significantly to solving complex problems and
advancing technology. Understanding their practical applications enhances

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 our ability to address real-world challenges and optimize various
processes. Inverse trigonometric functions is a broad topic for study.

Reference:
The above report is made from the following sources:
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.encyclopedia.com
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/calculus1/chapter/graphs-and-
periods-of-the-trigonometric-functions/
 https://www.numerade.com/ask/question/3-real-life-application-
involving-inverse-trigonometric-functions-as-give-1-real-life-
application-of-inverse-trigonometric-function-word-problem-b-
format-for-your-solution-diagramillustratio-64874/

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