TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Elementary Properties
The trigonometric functions are one-valued and continuous for all values of the argument x,
1
( )
except that the tangent and secant become infinite when x=± n+ π , the cotangent and
2
cosecant become infinite when x=± nπ, where n is zero or a positive integer. The sine and
cosine, and their reciprocals the cosecant and secant, are periodic with the period 2 π; the tangent
and cotangent are periodic with the period π.
A student of calculus may save himself a great deal of time and trouble by memorizing
thoroughly the fundamental facts and formula of trigonometry. It is strongly recommended that
such a review be made before proceeding further.

Derivatives of the Trigonometric Functions

The basic formula for the differentiation of the trigonometric functions is the formula for the
derivative of the sine. After it is established, the others follow easily.
Let x be a real number.
sin ( x+ ∆ x )−sin x sin x cos ∆ x +cos x sin ∆ x−sin x
D x sin x= lim = lim
∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆x →0 ∆x

(1−cos ∆ x ) sin ∆ x
∆ x→ 0
[
D x sin x= lim −sin x
∆x
+ cos x
∆x ]
( 1−cos ∆ x ) sin ∆ x
D x sin x=−sin x lim + cos x lim
∆x → 0 ∆x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x

D x sin x=(−sin x ) ∙ 0+ ( cos x ) ∙1

∴ Dx sin x =cos x

If u is a differentiable function of x, the chain rule may be used to obtain the more general
formula

D x sin u=cos u D x u

The formula for the derivative of the cosine follows quickly from this. Since cos u=sin ( 12 π −u),
D x cos u=D x sin ( 12 π−u)
D x cos u=cos ( 12 π −u ) D ( 12 π −u)
x

D x cos u=sin u (−D x u )

 ∴ D x cos u=−sinu D x u

nπ
As to the tangent function, if u ≠ ,
2

sin u cos u D x sin u−sin u D x cos u

D x tanu=D x ( cos u)
=
cos2 u

cos2 u D x u+ sin2 u D x u 1
D x tanu= 2
= Dxu
cos u cos 2 u

∴ Dx tan u=sec 2 u D x u

The formula for the derivatives of the remaining trigonometric functions are:

D x cot u=−csc 2 u D x u

D x sec u=sec u tan u D x u

D x csc u=−csc u cot u D x u

In some other books, the derivatives are written as follows:

d du
sin u=cos u
dx dx

d du
cos u=−sin u
dx dx

d du
tan u=sec 2 u
dx dx

d du
cot u=−csc 2 u
dx dx

d du
sec u=sec u tan u
dx dx

d du
csc u=−csc u cot u
dx dx

Examples:
Find the first derivative of the given functions.

1. y=sin3 x → y ' =3 sin3 x

dx
2. x=cos 4 t → =−4 sin 4 t
dt

3. y=sin √ 2+7 x

The equation can be written as

1
2
y=sin ( 2+7 x )
Let:
1
2
u=( 2+ 7 x )

Applying the chain rule, get the derivative of u with respect to x.

−1 −1
du 1 2 7 2
= ( 2+7 x ) ( 7 ) = ( 2+7 x )
dx 2 2

Since
d du
sin u=cos u
dx dx

Then,
1 −1
dy
dx
7
=cos ( 2+7 x ) 2 (2+7 x )
2 [ 2
]
−1 1
7 [
y ' = ( 2+7 x ) 2 cos ( 2+ 7 x ) 2 =
2
]
7 cos √ 2+7 x
2 √2+7 x

4. y=cos3 ( √ x )

Starting with the general power rule,

1
' 2
y =3 cos √ x
d
dx [
( cos √ x ) =3 cos 2 √ x
d
]
dx
cos x 2 [ ( )]
1

[ ( )]
−1
' 2 1
y =3 cos √ x −sin x 2 x 2
2
 −3 cos2 √ x sin √ x
y'=
2√ x

5. y=tan 2 9 x
d
y ' =2 tan 9 x [ dx
( tan 9 x ) ]
y ' =2 tan 9 x [ 9 sec 2 9 x ]

y ' =18 tan9 x sec 2 9 x

sec x
6. y=
( 1−cot x )

To get the first derivative, apply the rule for derivative of a quotient.
d d
dy
=
( 1−cot x )[dx ]
( sec x ) −sec x
2
dx [
( 1−cot x ) ]
dx (1−cot x )
2
dy ( 1−cot x )( sec x tan x )−sec x ( csc x )
=
dx ( 1−cot x )2

2
dy sec x [ ( 1−cot x ) ( tan x )−csc x ]
=
dx ( 1−cot x )2

2
dy sec x ( tan x−1−csc x )
=
dx ( 1−cot x )2

7. y=cot x csc x

Apply the rule on the derivative of a product,

dy d d
dx
=cot x
dx[( csc x ) +csc x ]
dx [
( cot x ) ]
y ' =cot x (−csc x cot x )+ csc x (−csc 2 x )

y ' =−csc x cot 2 x−csc 3 x

y ' =−csc x ( cot 2 x + csc 2 x )

Practice Exercises
Find the first derivative of the given functions.
1. y=x sin2 x

2. y=sin2 x cos 2 x

3. y=cos2 ( x 2−2 )

x
4. y=
( 1−tan x )

5. s=csc ( 1t )
6. y= ( sec √ x ) ( tan √ x )