CHAPTER 2 – INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

INVERSE OF A FUNCTION
Let f: A → B be a function which is one-one and onto, then f-1: B → A is said to be the inverse of

the function f if y f x ⇔ f −1 y x.

INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Trigonometric functions are many-one functions but we know that inverse of function exists if the

function is bijective. If we restrict the domain of trigonometric functions, then these functions

become bijective and the inverse of trigonometric functions are defined within the restricted

domain. The inverse of f is denoted by ‘f-1‘. Let y = f(x) = sin x, then its inverse is x = sin-1 y.

DOMAIN AND RANGE OF INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Range
Function Domain
(Principal Value Branch)

sin−1 11 * +
2 2
os −1 11 0

t n−1 ( )
2 2
ot −1 R 0

os −1 R – {-1, 1}
* + 0
2 2
s −1 R – {-1, 1} 0 , -
2

NOTE
1
(i) sin−1 should not be confused with sin −1
. In fact, sin −1
and similarly for other
s

trigonometric functions.

(ii) The value of inverse trigonometric functions which lies in the range of principal branch is

called the principal value of those inverse trigonometric functions.

 PROPERTIES OF INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Property I Property II

i sin−1 ( )
1
os −1
x x ≥ 1 or x 1 i sin−1 x sin−1 x x ∈ 11
x
1 ii t n−1 x t n−1 x x ∈ R
ii os −1 ( ) s −1
x x ≥ 1 or x 1
x −1 −1
iii os x os x x ≥1
−1
1 ot x x>0
iii t n−1 ( )
x ot −1 x x < 0
Property III Property IV
i os −1 x os −1 x x ∈ 11 i sin−1 x os −1 x x∈ 11
−1 −1
ii s x s x x ≥1
(ii) ii t n−1 x ot −1 x x∈R
−1 −1
iii ot x ot x x∈R
−1 −1
iii os x s x x ≥1

Property V Property VI
x y x
i t n−1 x t n−1 y t n−1 ( ) xy < 1 i 2t n−1 x sin−1 ( ) x 1
1−xy 1 x2
x−y 1−x2
ii t n−1 x t n−1 y t n−1 ( ) xy > 1 ii 2t n−1 x os −1 ( ) x≥0
1 xy 1 x2
x
iii 2t n−1 x t n−1 ( ) 1<x<1
1−x2
−1 1
iv 2sin−1 x sin−1 (2x√1 x ) x
√ √
−1
v 2 os −1 x sin−1 (2x√1 x ) x 1
√

(or )
2 os −1 x os −1 2x 1 0 x 1
Property VII
i sin−1 x sin−1 y sin−1 (x√1 y y√1 x )

ii sin−1 x sin−1 y sin−1 (x√1 y y√1 x )

iii os −1 x os −1 y os −1 (xy √1 x √1 y )

iv os −1 x os −1 y os −1 (xy √1 x √1 y )
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The domain of the function sin−1 2 x is

1 1 1 1
(a) [-1, 1] (b) [0, 1] (c) * + (d) ( )

2. The principal value of t n−1 (t n ) is

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

1 1
3. The principal value of os −1 ( ) sin−1 ( ) is
√

(a) (b) π (c) (d)

1

1
4. The principal value of os −1 ,sin ( os −1 )- is

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

5. The principal value of ot sin−1 os t n−1 1 is

1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d) 1
√

6. The domain of sec-1(2x – 1) is

(a) 1 0 (b) 1 0

(c) 1 0 (d) None of these

1
7. s *90 ot −1 ( )+ is equal to
1 √1
(a) √10 (b) (c) 3 (d)

8. Domain of f x sin−1 x is
(a) (-1, 1) (b) 1 (c) 1 (d) [-1, 1]

√
9. The principal value of t n−1 *2sin (2 os −1 )+ is

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

1
10. The value of sin−1 ( os ) is

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

1 1
12
 1
11. sin * sin−1 ( )+ is equal to

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

12. The value of ot sin−1 x is

√1 x2 x 1 √1−x2
(a) (b) √1 x2
(c) (d)
x x x

13. The value of sin−1 ( os ) is

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

1

14. Let sin−1 sin 600 , then value of is

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

1 √
15. The value of ot * sin−1 + is

1
(a) 1 (b) (c) √3 (d) 0
√

16. sin t n−1 x x < 1 is equal to

x 1 1 x
(a) √1−x2 (b) √1−x2 (c) √1 (d) √1
x2 x2

17. The domain of the function defined by f x sin−1 √x 1 is

(a) [1, 2] (b) [-1, 1] (c) [0, 1] (d) None of these

18. Which of the following is the principal value branch of cosec-1x?

− − −
(a) ( ) (b) 0 * + (c) * + (d) * + 0

1
19. Let os 2t n−1 x , then the value of x will be

1 1
(a) √3 (b) (c) 1 - √3 (d) 1 -
√ √

20. If k sin−1 x os −1 x t n−1 x m then

(a) k = 0, m = π (b) k = 0, m = (c) k = , m = π (d) (k, m) = (0, π)

13
ASSERTION - REASON TYPE QUESTIONS

In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R).

Choose the correct answer out of the following choices.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(d) (A) is false but (R) is true

1. Assertion: All trigonometric functions have their inverses over their respective domains.

Reason: The inverse of tan-1x exist for some x ∈ R.

2. Assertion value of os −1 x is .

−
Reason: Range of the principal value branch of os −1 x is * +.

3. Assertion: sin−1 x 2 os −1 x is 0 .

Reason: rincipal value branch of sin−1 x has range * +.

4. Assertion: The principal value of ot −1 √3 is .

Reason: Domain of ot −1 x is 11 .

5. Assertion: rincipal value of t n−1 √3 is .

Reason: t n−1 ( ) so for any x ∈ t n−1 x represents an angle in ( ).

6. Assertion: sin−1 x sin−1 x x ∈ 11

Reason: sin−1 11 * + is a bijection map.

1
7. Assertion: rincipal value of sin−1 (sin ) is .
1 1

Reason: Domain of principal value branch of sin−1 is 11

−
8. Assertion: The value of t n−1 √3 ot −1 √3 is .

14
 −
Reason: The principal branch of t n−1 is * + and ot −1 x ot −1 x.

9. Assertion: The principal value of t n−1 1 is .

−
Reason: The principal branch of t n−1 is * + and t n−1 x t n−1 x.

10. Assertion: The principal value of os −1 os 680 .

Reason: os −1 x os −1 x.

SHORT ANSWERS I

1. Find the domain of y sin−1 x 4 .

2. Evaluate: sin−1 (sin ) os −1 ( os ) t n−1 1 .

3. Evaluate sin−1 (sin ) os −1 os t n−1 1 .

4. Find the value of sin−1 ( os ( )) .

5. Find the domain of the function y os −1 x 1 . how your steps.

6. Draw the graph of the function: y 2sin−1 x y .

7. If os−1 os −1 os −1 3 , then find the value of .

√1 s x √1−s x
8. Reduce ot −1 , - where <x< in to simplest form.
√1 s x−√1−s x

c sx
9. Simplify: t n−1 ( ).
1−s x

√
10. rite the value of t n−1 *2sin (2 os −1 )+ .

√ 1
11. Write the principal value of * os −1 os −1 ( )+ .

15
12. rite the principal value of os −1 ( os ).

c sx x
13. Prove that t n−1 ( ) x∈( )
1 s x

1
14. rove that sin−1 (2x√1 x ) 2 os −1 x x 1.
√

√1 x2 −1
15. rite y t n−1 [ ] x ≠ 0 in the simplest form.
x

1
16. Evaluate : os *sin−1 s −1 +.

c s x−s x
17. Express in the simplest form: t n−1 ( ) <x< .
c sx s x

1
18. If sin (sin−1 os −1 x) 1, then find the value of x.

19. Draw the graph of os −1 x, where x ∈ 1 0 . Also, write its range.

1 1
20. Draw the graph of f x sin−1 x x ∈ * + . Also, write range of f x .
√ √

21. olve for x sin−1 4x sin−1 3x

22. rove that: sin−1 ( ) os −1 ( ) ot −1

1

23. rove that: sin−1 ( ) sin−1 ( ) os −1 ( ).

1

1
24. rove that: os −1 ( ) os −1 ( ) os −1 ( )
1

25. Solve for x: sin−1 1 x 2sin−1 x

SHORT ANSWERS II

√1 x−√1−x 1 1
1. rove that: t n−1 * + os −1 x x 1.
√1 x √1−x √

16
 1 1
2. rove that t n , os −1 - t n, os −1 - .

1 x √ − x2
3. rove that if x 1 then os −1 x os −1 [ ] .

1 −√
4. how that: t n ( sin−1 )

1 x2
5. rove the following: os t n−1 sin ot −1 x √ .
x2

6. Solve: sin 2 os −1 ot 2t n−1 x 0.

7. Solve: t n os −1 x sin t n−1 2 x>0 .

LONG ANSWERS
√1 x2 √1−x2
1. Simplify the following: (i) sin−1 (x√1 x √x√1 x ) (ii) t n−1 (√1 ).
x2 −√1−x2

1 1
2. Solve the following: (i) sin−1 ( ) sin−1 ( ) (ii) os −1 os −1 .
x x x x

1−c s x 1−s x
3. Simplify the following: (i) t n−1 √ (ii) t n−1 √
1 c sx 1 s x

CASE BASED QUESTIONS

1. Read the following passage and answer the following questions:

In a school project Manish was asked to construct a triangle ABC in which two angles B and C

1 1
are given by t n−1 ( ) and t n−1 ( ) respectively.

(i) Find the value of sinB

(ii) Find the value of cosC

(iii) Find the value of cos(B + C).

17
2. Two men on either side of a temple 30 meters high observe its top at the angles of elevation α

and β respectively (as shown in the figure). The distance between the two men is 40√3 meters

and the distance between the first person A and the temple is 30√3 meters.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

(i) Find the principal value of sin−1 sin ( ).

(ii) Find the principal value of os −1 os ( ).

3. Swathi and Uma are students of class XII. Teacher told them about inverse trigonometric

functions and he sketched the graph of sin-1x as follows.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

(i) Find the domain of sin−1 x.

(ii) Find the range of principal value branch of sin−1 x.

(iii) Find the domain of sin−1 1 x).

18
 UNIT TEST
Duration: 1 hour Marks: 30

SECTION A
Each carry 1 mark

1. What is the domain of the function cos–1 (2x – 3)?

(a) [–1, 1] (b) (1, 2) (c) (–1, 1) (d) [1, 2]

2. The principal value of [t n−1 √3 ot −1 √3 ] is

(a) π (b) - (c) 0 (d) 2√3

3. The domain of sin−1 + cosx is

(a) [–1, (b) (–1, 1) (c) [–1, 1] (d) ( , 1]

4. Assertion: The range of the function 2sin−1 , where x ∈ 1 1 , is * +.

Reason: The range of the principal value branch of sin−1 is [0, π].

(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of

Assertion (A).

(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of

Assertion (A).

(c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.

(d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.

SECTION B
Each carry 2 marks

5. Evaluate: os −1 * os ( )+

1 1
6. rite the principal value of os −1 ( ) 2sin−1 ( ) .

7. Find the principal value of os −1 os 680 .

19
SECTION C

Each carry 3 marks

s c s
8. Express sin−1 ( ) , where < < , in the simplest form.
√

9. Solve: sin−1 2
sin−1 2
2t n−1
1 1

SECTION D

Each carry 5 marks

c s − s
10. Express the following in simplest form: (i) t n−1 ( ) (ii) t n−1 ( ).
c s s −

1− 1−√
11. Express the following in simplest form: (i) sin .2t n−1 √ / (ii) t n−1 √
1 1 √

SECTION E
12. Two men on either side of a temple 30 meters high observe its top at the angles of elevation α

and β respectively (as shown in the figure). The distance between the two men is 40√3 meters

and the distance between the first person A and the temple is 30√3 meters.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

(i) Find in terms of sin−1 .

(ii) Find in terms of sin−1 .

(iii) Find in terms of t n−1 .

20
 ANSWERS

MCQ A-R SA I SA II LA CS

1 1 1
1. (c) * + 1. (d) 1. √5 √3 √3 √5 6. 1 1 √2 1 √2 1. (i) sin−1 sin−1 √ 1. (i)
√

2. (c) 1
2. 7.
√ (ii) os −1 (ii)
2. (b) -
√1

3. (d)
3. 2. (i) 13 (ii) ±17 1
3. (a) (iii)
1 √
4. (c)
3. (i) (ii)
4. (a) 4.
1 2. (i)
5. (a)

5. (d) 1 5. [0, 2]
(ii)
6. (b)

6. (c) 1 0 7. 2
7. (b) 3. (i) [-1, 1]

√1 8.
7. (d) 8. (a) (ii) [- , ]

8. (d) [-1, 1] 9.
9. (a) (iii) [0, 2]

9. (b)
10. (b) 10.

21
10. (b) - 11.
1

11. (d) 1 12.

√1− 2
12. (d) 1
15. t n−1

13. (d) √1 −√
1 16.
1

14. (a)
17. x

15. (c) √3
1
18.
16. (d) √1 2
1
21.
17. (a) [1, 2]

− 25. 0
18. (d) * + 0

1
19. (b)
√

20. (d) (k, m) = (0, π)

22
UNIT TEST

1. (d) [1, 2]

2. (b) -

3. (c) [–1, 1]

4. (c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.

5.

6.

7. 40 or

8.

9.
1−

10. (i) t n−1 ( ) (ii) t n−1

1
11. (i) √1 (ii) os −1 √

1 √
12. (i) sin−1 ( ) (ii) os −1 ( ) (iii) t n−1 √3

23