Exploring Hyperbolic Trigonometric Func5ons

By: Ridh Hashmi

1.1 - Intro
My ini6al exposure to the idea of a hyperbola was when I took twel@h grade physics over
the summer. During the rela6vity unit, I took to the internet to supplement my knowledge and
came across the idea of “hyperbolic mo6on” occurring in special rela6vity. While the math and
equa6ons in those ar6cles were far past whatever I could dream of understanding, the parts of
the equa6ons that were totally foreign but vaguely reminiscent of the more familiar circular
trigonometric func6ons I was comfortable with, had cap6vated me. Ques6ons asking what the
relevance of the “h” at the end of the “sinh 𝑥” and what linked and separated it from “sin 𝑥” I
already worked with stuck with me. While it is not possible to explore hyperbola in the same
context I was ini6ally exposed to it (rela6vis6c physics), I took this opportunity to expand my
understanding and aMempt to gain an understanding and altera6ve applica6ons of this truly
interes6ng branch of mathema6cs.

2.1- Defining the Hyperbola

The hyperbola is defined as a conic sec6on that is formed when a plane intersects a double right
circular cone at an angle such that both halves of the cone are intersected (cue math). Parabolas,
and ellipses (and circles, which is just a special case of an ellipse) are all conic sec6ons as well.
The result in a hyperbola are two unbounded curves that are mirror images of each other, as
shown in the following image:
Conic sec6ons are not explored in this paper, however, understanding the fundamentals of the
!
hyperbola is necessary to explore func6ons closely related to it. The equa6on 𝑦 = "
defines a

hyperbola, we will rearrange this to be 𝑥𝑦 = 1 for convenience. It is illustrated graphically below:

However, there is an alternate expression for a hyperbola where the points of inflec6on lie upon
the x-axis, this form is far more useful in our explora6on as many models are done with this form,
at least on the cartesian plane. The following equa6on defines it:
𝑥# − 𝑦# = 𝑛
Where n is some real number. The way this equa6on works is similar to an ellipse, it can be
thought of as an expression that defines a solu6on set of x and y values that sa6sfy the value n,
the term for this would be a “locus of points”(ref). A circle acts in the same way. This form of
hyperbola when n = 2 is equivalent to 𝑥𝑦 = 1 as proven below.

Let D represent the set of points (x, y) that sa6sfy the equa6on, 𝑥𝑦 = 1. Let Q represent a rota6on
$
of − % radians counterclockwise. We will rotate the set of points, D, through Q denoted by the

following: Q(D). This will result in a new curve, D’, of which, its set of points (a, b) must sa6sfy the
equa6on 𝑎# − 𝑏 # = 2 for our proof to be true.

The mathema6cal term for Q is a matrix. It can be thought of transforming a set of points (our x
and y points) through it’s applica6on, it will
- What is a matrix
- Why is it used
- How it’s used in this ia
$
Note: Rota@ng by − % radians was done as the rota@onal matrix used only rotates func@ons in the

counterclockwise way, this is the angle that allows the func@on to rotate through the rota@onal
matrix in a way that allows its points of inflec@on to lay on the x-axis.
 $
For the rota6onal matrix is applied on D, the rota6on of − % is applied; this matrix was found on
$
the internet, it takes in some angle Ø to rotate the plane on. − is set to be the argument of the
%

func6ons:
𝜋 𝜋
cos 2− 5 sin 2− 5 𝑥
/ 4 4 67 8
𝜋 𝜋
sin 2− 5 cos 2− 5 𝑦
4 4
1 1
𝑥− 𝑦
=9 √2 √2 <
1 1
− 𝑥+ 𝑦
√2 √2
!
We assume the above transforma6on represents points (a, b). We can factor out from all terms:
√#
! !
"'( ! !
If = √#!√#
! >=?*+ @, 𝑎= (𝑥 + 𝑦) 𝑏= (−𝑥 + 𝑦)
' ") ( √# √#
√# √#

Determining if transformed x and y values sa6ate the equa6on of 𝑎# − 𝑏 # = 2:

# #
1 1
C (𝑥 + 𝑦)D − C (−𝑥 + 𝑦)D = 2
√2 √2
1 # 1
(𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 # ) − (𝑥 # − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 # ) = 2
2 2
2𝑥𝑦 = 2
We know that 𝑥𝑦 = 1, therefore, 2xy does equate to 2. Therefore, the proof is valid.

Similar to a unit circle, the unit hyperbola is also a well-documented tool used in mathema6cs.
There would be no transla6ons (so it would be centered around the origin), and there would be
no stretching or compressions. The following is the equa6on for the unit hyperbola:
𝑥# − 𝑦# = 1
This unit hyperbola will be used in understanding the trigonometric func6ons derived from it.

2.2- Algebraic defini6on of hyperbolic trigonometric func6ons

The hyperbolic trigonometric func6ons for sin and cos are defined in the following way:
𝑒 " − 𝑒 '"
sinh(𝑥) =
2
 𝑒 " + 𝑒 '"
cosh(𝑥) =
2
The deriva6on of these formulae is beyond the scope of this explora6on.

2.4- Even and Odd Func6ons and Hyperbolic Sine and Cosine Func6ons
To define an even func6on 𝑓(𝑥), it must be able to take an input of −𝑥 (reflec6on over the y-axis)
and the resul6ng func6on would remain the same.
𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)
Meanwhile, an odd func6on is one such that given an input of −𝑥 (reflec6on over the y-axis), it
would take the shape of the func6on −𝑓(𝑥) (the func6on reflected over the x-axis).
𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥)
Func6ons can be decomposed into what can be thought of as even and odd halves. When some
−𝑥 is inpuMed into these halves, the same proper6es are proven true.
The even half is defined as:
𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(−𝑥)
𝑓,-,. (𝑥) =
2
It can be verified by the input of −𝑥:
𝑓(−𝑥) + 𝑓(−(−𝑥))
𝑓,-,. (−𝑥) =
2
𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(−𝑥)
𝑓,-,. (−𝑥) =
2
We end up with something equal to the same 𝑓,-,. (𝑥) func6on. The odd half is defined as:
𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(−𝑥)
𝑓/00 (𝑥) =
2
It can be verified by the input of −𝑥:
𝑓(−𝑥) − 𝑓(−(−𝑥))
𝑓/00 (−𝑥) =
2
−[𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(−𝑥)]
𝑓/00 (−𝑥) =
2
The odd func6on 𝑓/00 (𝑥) given the −𝑥 input ends up flipped, following the “odd” property. The
func6ons of sinh 𝑥 and cosh 𝑥 are simply the odd and even halves of the decomposed func6on
𝑒 " respec6vely. We can verify this by simply adding the func6ons:
 𝑒 " − 𝑒 '" 𝑒 " + 𝑒 '"
sinh(𝑥) + cosh(𝑥) = +
2 2
2𝑒 "
=
2
= 𝑒"
2.2- Geometrical Analysis of Hyperbolic Func6ons
To begin defining hyperbolic trigonometric func6ons using the geometry of the hyperbola, we
can first reimagine the way we define circular trigonometric func6ons. Sine and cosine are
presently thought of as the ver6cal and horizontal components respec6vely of a ray extending
from the origin to a par6cular point on the circle. The points are defined by the angle of the ray
as it intersects a par6cular point along the circle’s circumference. Therefore, each point this ray
can intersect follows the form of (cos 𝜃 , sin 𝜃). These ideas can be expanded on to instead
consider the area defined by the sector and connect the behavior of these func6ons to them. We
will connect it to hyperbolas and their func6ons as well.

Consider the area of the sector between the origin, 𝑃! and

𝑃# . We can calculate its magnitude in rela6on to Ø in the
following way:
𝜃
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 7 8 𝜋𝑟 #
2𝜋
As 𝑟 = 1 in the unit circle:
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝜃
It takes the area of two sectors defined by an angle 𝜃 to yield
a value equal to 𝜃. If we define the area of two sectors as
“area” as this, then using this defini6on, we can model
trigonometric func6ons as shown in figure smth.

Where 𝑎 is the magnitude of area.

This allows the defini6on for sin and cosine to be related to

the area now. The input of the func6on correlates to a
sector with area of half the value of the input. The sine and cosine simply map to this sectors’
ver6cal and horizontal components respec6vely.

This same way of visualizing the input in trigonometric func6ons applies to hyperbolic
trigonometric func6ons as well.

One can imagine a ray extending from the origin

moving along the hyperbola. As the ray moves
along the hyperbola, each point it intersects with
the hyperbola can be wriMen as (cosh 𝑎, sinh 𝑎)
as we have established hyperbolic sine and
cosine func6ons naturally sa6sfy the equa6on of
the hyperbola. The hyperbolic sine and cosine
func6ons at any given point will have the said argument of a, but the area subtended by the ray,
*
hyperbola, and x-axis (as highlighted in red in figure smth) will have an area of #
just like the

circular trigonometric func6ons. We can even prove that the red sector below is half the value of
the argument 𝑎 using geometry and integrals:

cosh 𝑎 and sinh 𝑎 can be legs for a right triangle as shown in figure smth. The overall area
triangle ABC can be calculated using the area of a triangle formula.
1
𝐴123*.45, = cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎
2
The 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎! is the area under the ray extending from the origin to the hyperbola, up to the x-
*
axis; we are proving its value will be #. The area can be calculated from subtrac6ng 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# from

the area of the larger triangle they compose in the following way:
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎! = cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 − 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎#
2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# can be evaluated by taking the integral of the hyperbolic func6on from 𝑥 = 1 (as it is a
unit hyperbola) to 𝑥 = cosh 𝑎. We can first rearrange the hyperbola equa6on to make it a
func6on:
𝑥# − 𝑦# = 1
𝑦# = 𝑥# − 1

𝑦 = O𝑥 # − 1
We can now integrate this expression through the parameters defined before.
6789 *
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# = P O𝑥 # − 1 𝑑𝑥
!

The integral is solved the following way using Symolabs:

1 1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# = cosh# 𝑎 tanh 𝑎 − 𝑙𝑛 |cosh 𝑎 tanh 𝑎 + cosh 𝑎|
2 2
8:;9 *
Simplifying hyperbolic terms using the tanh 𝑎 = 6789 * iden6ty:
1 1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# = cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 − 𝑙𝑛|sinh 𝑎 + cosh 𝑎|
2 2
Simplifying hyperbolic terms using the sinh 𝑎 + cosh 𝑎 = 𝑒 * iden6ty:
1 1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# = cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 − 𝑙𝑛|𝑒 * |
2 2
Simplifying further:
1 𝑎
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎# = cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 −
2 2
Plugging back into the Equa6on to solve for 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎< :
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎< =cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 − 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎=
2
1 1 𝑎
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎< = cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 − cosh 𝑎 sinh 𝑎 −
2 2 2
As this is the magnitude for area, the nega6ve sign is discarded:
 𝑎
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎< =
2
Therefore, we can see how the hyperbolic sine and cosine’s input takes in an area to evaluate
the func6on accordingly. We can also see the connec6on the func6on has between circular
trigonometric func6ons. It is important to note the proper terminology for the argument in
hyperbolic func6ons is the hyperbolic angle, and it is literally defined as twice the sector we
solved for, with the proper term of “the hyperbolic sector”.

2.5- Hyperbolic Sine and Cosine Deriva6ves and Integrals

One may know the unique property that 𝑒 " has where it is its own deriva6ve. The proof will not
be given in this paper, however, as hyperbolic sine and cosine are composed of 𝑒 " terms, finding
its deriva6ves are fairly easy.
𝑒 " − 𝑒 '"
sinh(𝑥) =
2
1 1
sinh(𝑥) = 𝑒 " − 𝑒 '"
2 2
When taking the deriva6ve, the first term will remain the same, however, the second term will
have an addi6onal coefficient of -1
1 1
sinh> (𝑥) = 𝑒 " − (− 𝑒'" )
2 2
> (𝑥)
𝑒 + 𝑒 '"
"
sinh =
2
, $ ), %$
Recall the formula for hyperbolic cosine is #
:

sinh> (𝑥) = cosh(𝑥)

It is evident that the deriva6ve of hyperbolic sin is equal to hyperbolic cosine. This is similar to
the rela6on the deriva6ves of circular trigonometric func6ons have as 𝑠𝑖𝑛> (𝑥) = cos (𝑥).
However, unlike circular trigonometric func6ons where the 𝑐𝑜𝑠 > (𝑥) = −sin (𝑥), hyperbolic
cosine has the following deriva6ve:
𝑒 " + 𝑒 '"
cosh(𝑥) =
2
1 1
cosh(𝑥) = 𝑒 " + 𝑒 '"
2 2
 1 1
cosh ′(𝑥) = 𝑒 " + (− 𝑒 '" )
2 2
𝑒 " − 𝑒 '"
cosh′(𝑥) =
2
cosh′(𝑥) = sinh(𝑥)
3.1- The Catenary Curve
The catenary curve was one of the most famous
problems in mathema6cs, it is the curve that
describes a length of rope or chain hanging from
two fixed ends (hence the name catenary,
meaning “chain” in La6n). Historically, it was
thought to be parabolic, however, it was
discovered to be modelled by a hyperbolic cosine func6on. The following is a simplified deriva6on
of this curve using basic physics and some calculus concepts.

We can begin by imagining

some curve similar to the
shape of 𝑦 = 𝑥 # ; the
actual equa6on of this
curve does not maMer yet.
It must be upward
opening, with its singular
turning point on 𝑥 = 0, as
pictured on figure 1.

We can imagine zooming in infinitely to the length of chain approaching 𝑥 = 0 from the right side
and create the diagram pictured on figure smth . As we are zoomed in infinitely, the shape of the
length of rope can be imagined as linear, the forces ac6ng on this length of chain are also pictured.
Where 𝑠 represents our actual length of rope. 𝑇! and 𝑇# denote the tension forces ac6ng on the
length of rope on either side. As we are approaching from the right side, 𝑇! only has a
component on the x-axis (approaching the vertex). W represents the force of gravity ac6ng on
the mass of rope, deno6ng the weight of the rope; this can be expanded to the following:
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
Where m is the mass of the rope and g is the gravita6onal constant. In addi6on, the force
vectors of 𝑇# are separated into their x and y components by 𝑇# cos 𝜃 and 𝑇# sin 𝜃 respec6vely.
The rope is in equilibrium; therefore, the forces would nullify each other in the both the x and y
axes. We will only consider the magnitudes of the forces in the following net force statements
as we are using generalized representa6ons of the forces:
𝐹.,1 " = 𝑇# cos 𝜃 − 𝑇!
=0
𝐹.,1 ( = 𝑇# sin 𝜃 − 𝑚𝑔

=0
We can isolate for terms in terms of 𝑇# :
𝑇# cos 𝜃 = 𝑇!
𝑇# sin 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔

We can divide these equa6ons in the following way:

T! sin 𝜃 𝑚𝑔
=
𝑇# cos 𝜃 𝑇!
Recall the linear density formula, where m is mass, L is length of a rope, and 𝜆 is the linear mass
density:
𝑚
𝜆=
𝐿
This formula can be rearranged the following way:
𝑚 = 𝜆𝐿
Subs6tu6ng this defini6on for mass in the formula:
T! sin 𝜃 𝜆𝐿𝑔
=
𝑇# cos 𝜃 𝑇!
We can subs6tute s (our segment length) in the formula:
 T! sin 𝜃 𝜆𝑠𝑔
=
𝑇# cos 𝜃 𝑇!
?! 8:; @ B4
A# 678 @
can be rewriMen as 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃, in addi6on, let A!
be represented by some constant k

𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑘𝑠

0(
When s is infinitesimally small, the ra6o of 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 can be expressed by 0" , as it is the same 𝜃

between the infinitely small x and y components of the s length of rope (see figure smth)

In addi6on, 𝑑𝑠 = O𝑑𝑥 # + 𝑑𝑦 # using the Pythagorean theorem when s is infinitesimally small as

it is in our analysis, it is simply applying the Pythagorean theorem to the triangle with
hypotenuse s from figure smth
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑘𝑠
𝑑𝑥
We can differen6ate both sides and subs6tute our defini6on for 𝑑𝑠 to create an expression in
terms of x and y.
𝑑# 𝑦 𝑑𝑠
#
=𝑘
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Subs6tu6ng 𝑑𝑠 expression,
𝑑# 𝑦 1
#
= 𝑘 7 8 O𝑑𝑥 # + 𝑑𝑦 #
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
!
The 0" term can be distributed in the square root:

𝑑# 𝑦 1#
= 𝑘f= > 𝑑𝑥 # + 𝑑𝑦 #
𝑑𝑥 # 𝑑𝑥 #

𝑑# 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 # 𝑑𝑦 #
= 𝑘 f +
𝑑𝑥 # 𝑑𝑥 # 𝑑𝑥 #

We can simplify to:

𝑑# 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 #
= 𝑘 f1 +
𝑑𝑥 # 𝑑𝑥 #
 0(
At this point, we can create a variable 𝑧 and let it be equal to 0" . We can subs6tute this variable:
𝑑
𝑧 = 𝑘 O1 + 𝑧 #
𝑑𝑥
We can move 𝑧 terms to the one side by mul6plying both sides by 𝑑𝑥 and dividing by √1 + 𝑧 # :

𝑑𝑧 1 1
(𝑑𝑥) 7 8 = 𝑘 O1 + 𝑧 # (𝑑𝑥) 7 8
𝑑𝑥 √1 + 𝑧 # √1 + 𝑧 #
𝑑𝑧
= 𝑘𝑑𝑥
√1 + 𝑧 #
At this point, we can integrate both sides of the func6on:
𝑑𝑧
P = P 𝑘𝑑𝑥
√1 + 𝑧 #
The le@ side integral was evaluated using Symolabs’ online integral solver, it evaluates to the
inverse hyperbolic sine func6on:
sinh'! (𝑧) = 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑐
Let c = 0 for now, as the constant will be added back later. We can now take the hyperbolic sine
of both sides to isolate 𝑧:
sinh(sinh'! (𝑧)) = sinh(𝑘𝑥)
𝑧 = sinh(𝑘𝑥)
0(
Remembering that 𝑧 = 0"
:
𝑑𝑦
= sinh(𝑘𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 = sinh(𝑘𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
We can now integrate both sides to get an expression in terms of 𝑦:

P 𝑑𝑦 = P sinh(𝑘𝑥) 𝑑𝑥

We know the deriva6ve of hyperbolic sine is hyperbolic cosine from before, therefore this
integral is very easy to solve:
1
𝑦 = cosh(𝑘𝑥) + 𝑐
k
This is the formula that models the catenary curve, as we can see, it uses the hyperbolic cosine
to model its curve. 𝑘 and 𝑐 define parameters of the curve to model different scenarios.
4.1- Conclusion

- Horizontal value of area enclosed by a ray on the hyperbola at any given graphs cosh
- ver6cal value of area enclosed by a ray on the hyperbola at any given graphs

5.1- Conclusion
The most significant part of this IA was that I was given the opportunity to explore something
that I truly wanted to inves6gate myself.

Bibliography
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