INVERSE
TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Inearlier chapters, we have learnt about functions, types of functions, composition of functions
and inverse of a function. In this chapter, we shall use these concepts to define the inverses of all
trigonometric functions and to study their properties. Let us first 1ecall the definition of inverse
of a function.
3.2 INVERSE OF A FUNCTION
In the previous chapter, we have learnt that corresponding to every bijection (one-one onto
function) f : A — B there exists a bijection g:B > A defined by
§(y) = xif and only f (x) = y.
The function’ g : B > A is called the inverse of function f : A -> Band is denoted by f ~
Thus, we have :
f@=yef "w=
also, 1 ef)0) = J" F 9) = FY = » forall eA
and, (fof ~*)(y) = s(F*w) =f) =y, forallyeB
3.3 INVERSES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
We know that trigonometric functions are periodic functions, and hence, in general, all
trigonometric functions are not bijections, Consequently, their inverses do not exist. However, if
we restrict their domains and co-domains, they can be made bijections and we can obtain their
inverses. In the following sections, we shall do all these things to obtain the inverses of
trigonometric functions.
3.3.1 INVERSE OF SINE FUNCTION
Consider the function f :R -> R given by f (x) =sin x, The graph of this function is shown in
Fig. 3.1. Clearly, it is a many-one into function as it attains same value at infinitely many points
and its range [- 1, 1] isnot same as its co-domain. We know that any function can be made an
‘onto function, if we replace its co-domain by its range. Therefore, f : R -> [-1, 1] isa many-one
‘onto function. In order to make f a one-one function, we will have to restrict its domain in such a
way that in that domain there is no turn in the graph of the function and the function takes every
value between - 1 and 1. tis evident from the graph of f (x) = sin xthat if we take the domain as
{-/2, n/2], then f (x) becomes one-one. Thus, f: [-n/2, »/2]->[-1, 1] given by f(@) = sin 0
is a bijection and hence invertible.
The inverse of the sine function is denoted by sin. Thus sin? is a function with domain
(1, tand range [- n/2, n/2] such that sin“! x = 0 sin @ = x. _@
32 MATHEMATICS.
Vx
Jeex.0)
Fig. 3.1 Graph of y=sin x,~2n
[-1,1] given by f(x)
Fig. 3.2 and the graph of sin” !:[-1,1] > [- n/2, n/2]is shown in Fig. 3.3.
Y
(F-7) t f.2)
|
x x
x o| ao”
(£0)
(39) i
6-3)
w
Fig. 3.2 Graph of y= sinx,~Fsxs5 Fig. 3.3 Graph of y=sin“!x,-1 [- n/2, n/2J called the
principal oalue branch as shown in Fig, 3.3 and the value sin xfor given value of x e[-1, 1}iscalledtte
principal value,
REMARK 2 By considering sin~! x as a function with domain [-1, 1] and range [-x/2, 0/2]
[n/2, 3 x/2] or [3n/2, 5 1/2} and soon, we get different branches. Ifall these branches are put togelie!
‘and drawn on the same scale, we obtain the graph as shown in Fig. 3.4. Clearly, this graph can be
from, the graph of sine function iy tterchanging. the eporinate gh Tbs
sin! ;[-1, 1] + [-n/2, n/2)is the principal value branch and the value of sin~} x lying in{-n/2,™
{for a given value of x €{-1, 1] is called the principal value.
aa |
|
34 MATHEMATION
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
BASED ON BASIC CONCEPTS (BASIC)
EXAMPLE1 Find the principal values of
(i) sin (8) (i) sin ) INCERT, CBSE 201)
SOLUTION For x e[-1,1], sin~! xis an angle 0 in the interval [-x/2, x/2] whose sine is x
ie. sin 0 = x. Therefore, !
f i)
@ an (8). (4s angle 0 ¢{ : 5 | such that sin 0= 3 } = :
i) sin (-3)-( An angle 0 -(-3 | such that sin @=—5)=—=
EXAMPLE2 Find the principal unlues of
ay eae at (ht ce kool 1
(i) sin~? () (ii) sin (-4)
SOLUTION We know that sin™! x denotes an angle in the interval [- x / 2, x / 2] whose sineis
x for x €[-1, 1]. Therefore,
@ sin-!()=(an angied «[-=, =
such that sin 6 =
i in-?f-L) 2 See in O=
Gi) sin (-$)-(4n ansieo ¢[ ©, such that sin 0
BASED ON LOWER ORDER THINKING SKILLS (LOTS)
EXAMPLE4 Find the domain of the function f(x) =sin™ (2-3).
SOLUTION The domain of sin~ 1x is[-1, 1]. Therefore, f(x) = sin“ (2x3) is defined forall *
aatiafyi
71 <2x-351> 3-1S2xS341 1 xefl,2]
Hence, domain of f(x) =sin™ (2-3) is 1, 2].
EXAMPLES Find the domain of f(x) =sin™* (-x?). (NCERT EXEMPLAR!
SOLUTION The domain of sin™!x is [-1, 1} Therefore, f(x) = sin“! (~x2) is defined for all *
-1s-x7s1 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS aaa
SOMEUSEFULOBSERVATION We make the following observations from the graphs of secx and
sec X
ecx is an increa:
(s sing function on the intervals [0, x/2) and (x/2, n] but, it is neither
increasing nor decreasing on {0, n/2)U(n/2, rl
1 "
Gi) sec” is an increasing function the intervals (2, ~1] and [1,«) but, it is neither
increasing nor decreasing on (— 20, ~1] Uf, «)
(ii) The maximum value of sec! x is x which it attains at x =—1.
(iv) The minimum value of sec™ x is 0 which it attains at x <1.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
BASED ON BASIC CONCEPTS (BASIC)
EXAMPLE Find the principal values of each of the following:
@ sec“(2) (ii) sec? (=)
SOLUTION For any x €(-0,—1]U[1, «0), sec“!x is an angle @ €[0, 7/2) U(n/2, n] whose
secant is x ive. sec = x. Therefore,
@ se4(@)-[ an angle ® <0, u(E1] ech that sec =2)-2
(i) sect (-
)-[an angle ¢{0, Bz | such that sec 0
=}
EXAMPLE2 Find the set of values of sec! (
SOLUTION We know that sec"!x is defined for all x <~1 or x21 and 2 <1. Therefore,
sec’ (2): not meaningful. Hence, the set of values of ao
Fara sec} (2)
SOLUTION Since sec“: R -(-1,1) +10, ai-{3} isa bijection. Therefore, sec” ! xrepresents
EXAMPLE3 Find the principal values of sec™ ©
an angle in 0, x] — {5} whose secant is x. Thus,
0 swe t(F) -(a0 angle 0 <{0,x1-{} such that sec 0
V3.
(i) sec (-2) (as angle 0 (0, xi-{ 5} such that sc 0=~2)
BASED ON HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILLS (HOTS),
EXAMPLE4 Find the domain of sect! (2x +1) .
SOLUTION The domain of sec“! xis (~2, ~1] U[1, «). Therefore, sec”* (2x +1)is meaningful, if
2x+121 or, 2x+1<-1
2x20 or, 2x<-2 = x20 oF, XS-1 > xE(-~, ~1] U[0, ~)
Hence, the domain of sec"1(2x +1) is (20, ~1]U [0, 0).
> jweRSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Function | Domain Range Principal value branch =f
wet [EL [-m/2, 9/2) | y=sin™*xfrom(—1, -fto(1,
cor) 2} (ded (0, x} | y=cos~} x from (-1, 1) to(1, 0)
| 1 x x
ten R (-x/2,n/2) | y=tan x trom (2, ~5)t0 o, 5)
x
1 | (0, [-1, 1], cos 10, n] > [-1,1], tan :(~"/2, 2/2) > R, cot (0, 7) +R
1/2) U(n/2, x] >(~ 2, -1UIL, @) and cosec:[-2/2, 0) U(0, 1/2] > (20, -1] ULL, «)
are bijections, $o, these functions and their inverses satisfy the following property.
PROPERTY-1 (i) sin~! (sin 0) =0 forall 8 <[-n/2, n/2]
(ii) cos“! (cos) =@ for all @ €[0, m]
(ii) tan~ (tan 6) =0 for all @ €(-n/2, 0/2)
(iv) cosec™ (cosec 8) = 0 for all @ €[-n/2, 0). (0, n/2]
(0) sec“ (secd) =0 for all 0 <[0, 1/2) U(n/2, 1)
(vi) cot (cot) =0 for all @ <(0, 7).
In the above property we observe that the relations between trigonometric functions and their
inverses hold true for specific values of 0. If 0 does not lie in the domain of a tri
bs in which it is not a bijection, then the above relations do not hold good. For example,
peeled holds true for 0€[-n/2,n/2} If O¢[-n/2, n/2], what is the value of
*in”™ (sin 6)? To answer this, we partition real line into sub-intervals so that the sine function
With domain any sub interval and co-domain|~1, 1]isa bijection. Clearly, such sub-intervals are verse TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
a2 PROPERTY
in Chpater 2, we have leamt that iff: A + Bis a bijection, then f~: B+ A exists such that
Wa) e oF FF) = forall xB. Applying this property on various trigonometric
fonctions and thelr Inverses, We obtain the following property.
proPeRTY
jy sin sin” ta) =x, forall xel-1,1] (i) cos(cos™'s) =x, for all x €[-1/1]
(aiy wn (tan 13) = 2; for all x eR iv) cot (cot! x) = 2, forall x eR.
(w) cosec (cosec 1 y) =x, for all x €(~, 1] Uf, =)
(vi) see see”)
property and the above Remark help us in finding the values of express
=x, for all x €(—, 1] U[l, )
sion of the form
es where f and gare trigonometric functions. We may use the following algorithm for the
same.
ALGORITHM
sip! Obtain the expression and express it in the form flg-U(x)), where f and g are trigonometric
functions.
step Express g 1(x) in terms of f~1 by using the following results:
weer @-on iG)
where p, band h denote respectively the perpendicular, base ‘and hypotenuse ofa right triangle.
sept Let g7}(2) = f ~My) Replace gx) by f My) in f(@ Ma) and use property-I! 0 get
fg) =f") =¥
Following example will illustrate the above algorithm.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES:
BASED ON BASIC CONCEPTS (BASIC)
EXAMPLE1 Evaluate each of the following:
0) sin (sin~ 3) 6) sin (cos~* §) cay sin (to?)
(sin (or? 4) ww) sin (seer? 2) ev) sin (we?)
SOLUTION. (i) Using sin (sin™ 1x) =x,x €[-1, 1} we obtain: sin( sin)
(i) I order to express cos”! $ tems sin“ let us construct a ight langle with base
b=4 and hypotenuse h=5, The perpendicular of such triangle is p = 3. RIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 3.57
verse
BASED ON LOWER ORDER THINKING SKILLS (LOTS)
If tan~12+ tan”!3+ 0 = 1, find the value of 8.
We have,
pXAMPLES
tan“!2+tan13=2-0
243),
1-2x 3)
tan
Et
n+tan ( n-0 => m+tan7(-1)=n-0 => x-Ean-0> ont
EXAMPLE6 Prove that:
fp tan“? 2+ tan 1 = tant? (i) tan" stan Btn? 5 =F
[CBSE 2011, 2013]
(ay tn? Stan! 3 tan 1 = Ev) cat oot aes? gee
5 19 4 a 7 ad 8 4
[NCERT, CBSE 2008, 2010, 2016]
(@) cot 17 +-cot™8 + cot18 = cot 13 INCERT EXEMPLAR, CBSE 2014]
soLuTION (i) LHS = tan”? + tan”?
~1 425
tag oe
2 tan 1 4 RHS.
UNS = tant iy inet Veta be tent
5 eet ast ta Ase TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 3.65
wwe
yet
(uv) cot” 1x cot v4 2) qa’ Wherex>0
(wi) an Vy 42) + tan”! (2) = tan (FB) a>0 [CBSE 2010]
i) tant + tan i Kat 0 13
1 SER tary Ve [CBSE 2016}
@) Be 3-1 xat 4
(xi) tan“! 4+ tan Nor= 3 [CBSE 2019]
BASED ON HOTS
id) oe ee Sue
4, Sum the series > tan ten Mot tan 1. ttan’ eon
re eee eet __ ANSWERS
1 cgi 1 1 ee
3.) -§ @ 7 Gi) Ot 5 ez @) v3 wi) fF
. - . 7 1 Aloe
(vii) 1 (viii) V2 (ix) 43 W ty5 os) 4. tan 12" 7
HINTS TO SELECTED PROBLEMS:
2. tan ?¥ tant 2=¥) tan? 2 tan 4 Y=# tan? + tant 2H
y x+y y yte. y 1+x/y,
etan? 2 4 tan“ -tan)2 = tan“ =
y y
3. (iv) Wehave, tan“ (F2)-Fen tno, x>0
14x) 2
= tan”11~tan7 Ftan" t=O E-Stan™t
a
( tant) tan-?1_ 2 ES tan? |
x x42 12 pie
x(x+2)
5 tan | ee an
(as 2 x2 42x41 12
=» 2 _ 8-1 ra
7 << See 2 “4
Prati sens eA eye ae (/3 +1)? > x=V3 nse TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS aes
wv
paamptes Evaluate: tan (2 tan! 3) [CBSE 2013]
5,
and 5 }
Z ops homalaer oe
soLUTION tan @ tan tan oat =tan( tan”? 35 )= a9
23 :
| (NCERT EXEMPLAR) |
| ae |
2sin-) 2 - tan
| sownion 2sin™ = ai |
ees in 13 tan *3]
=2 tan 4 tan 31 sin 5 4
tan125, for| x| «|
1-x’
BASED ON LOWER ORDER THINKING SKILLS (LOTS)
-y
EXAMPLE 6 Proce tat an { nisl 2*Y | if|x|<1,y>0 and
2 1+y?| lay
xy<1 [NCERT, CBSE 2013]
SOLUTION We know that
tan~ 1 x for all x e[-1, 1]
2
cos 1 1= = 2 tan=1y for all y2Oand, sin?
1+y’ 1+x
b4
tasctan {sin ze oor | = an 5 {2
x+2tan7!
ex 1+¥7 ¥}
3 s -1 (+
= tan (1s Vy4 tan *y) tan {ae (Ee Ht sans i yen PP cnceroonourmermenana
igns TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
wv
1 [etan?
[av en?
a/2 tan? p/ 2)
a/2 tan? B/2
otf
"
PXAMPLE 20 Show that; 2 tan {tan Stan
| sowuTion LHS =2 tan-*{tan Stan (%
-1
stan“
(2cos* «/2) (2cos* 8/2) ~(2sin? «/2) (2sin® B/2)
(2cos* 01/2) (2cos B/2) + (2sin? a/2) (2sin” B/2)
(1+ cos @) (1+ cos B) =(1 —cos a) (1 -cos B)
(1+ cos a) (1 + cos f) + (1 =cos a) (1=cos B)
2tan®(1-tanf
2
es
2
(1+tanB) -tan?=
z 2
|
=|
sin a cos
cosa. + sin
[NCERT EXEMPLAR]
cos a.+cos PB
1+ cos a cos B
),
jus
-"(
tan (1-tan?®)
2 2
(142tanB + tan?t -tan? (1-2 tan + tan?)
2 2 2 a a
201 tan2B
tan 3(1 tan’ B
(+2 tanB stan? ton? (1 2tan? + tan? ®
2 2 2 2
tan &(1-tan?f)
2 2
tan? £ 2a: 28( tan?
(1 an @)+2t0nf V+-tan? $+ tan? (1 tan? & verse TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 3.91
Bonet eee cos 2 a)” + (cos 2 «+ cos 2/6)?
* (cos 2 0. + cos 2 )* ~(cos 2 cos 2 a)”
-1 | cos? 2. +-cos? 28] _ 4,
=tan 1 F cos 2.0 cos 2B a
, BASIC
1. Evaluate the following:
(@ tan {27 3-3} (i) tan
Gi) sin( os) (iv) sin Seat EXEMPLAR]
2. Prove the following results:
(Jsin12) [CBSE 2013, NCERT EXEMPLAR]
2 4
() 2sin~ Votan ® [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Gi) tan 12 [CBSE 2010]
14
@) sin“
(vii) 2tan7* [NCERT]
(vi) 2 tan“? 3 — [CBSE 2011]
(ix) 2 tan’ Seton 8S tan’ [CBSE 2011, 2020}
© tan Fy tan 1 = ; [CBSE 2010 C]
3. Find the values of each of the following:
@ tan-! {2<0n(2sin-? >} (i) cos (sec™ 1x + cose”! x),| x] 21
ie, Son 11-0? =1 22%
4. Ifsin7 cos”! = tan7? then prove that x = :
1+a 146? 1-2 r “ST ab
BASED ON LOTS
5. Prove that:
2 z.
owe etl
2x 2x
wa
ili) sin~ ‘(anit #)= 2cos™ 1s, Je
© ttein=? 22 gin
1+ 146?
7
Show that 2 tan! x + sin71 z is constant for x 21, find that constant,
1+x7 
