Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

To find the derivatives of the inverse trigonometric functions, we must use implicit differentiation. Here we will
develop the derivatives of inverse sine or arcsine, y  sin 1 x, and inverse tangent or arctangent, y  tan 1 x.

Derivative of Inverse Sine

The definition of the inverse sine function is
 
y  sin 1 x which can also be written as sin y  x where  y
2 2
Differentiating sin y  x with respect to x, we get

1
cos y  y  1  y 
cos y

Using the Pythagorean identity sin 2 y  cos 2 y  1 and solving for cos y, we get

 
cos y   1  sin 2 y, and since   y  , we get cos y  0. Therefore,
2 2

cos y  1  sin 2 y

By substituting cos y  1  sin 2 y and sin y  x, we get the following

1 1 1
y   y   y 
cos y 1  sin y
2
1 x2

Derivative of Inverse Tangent

The definition of the inverse tangent function is
 
y  tan 1 x which can also be written as tan y  x where  y
2 2
Differentiating tan y  x with respect to x, we get

1
sec2 y  y  1  y 
sec2 y

Using the Pythagorean identity tan 2 y  1  sec2 y and solving for sec 2 y, we get

sec2 y  1  tan 2 y

By substituting sec2 y  1  tan 2 y and tan y  x, we get

1 1 1
y   y   y 
2
sec y 1  tan y
2
1 x2

Inverse Trigonometric Functions – Pike Page 1 of 3

The derivatives of the other four inverse trigonometric functions can be found in a similar fashion. Below are
the derivatives of the six inverse trigonometric functions.
1 1
y  sin 1 x  y  y  csc 1 x  y 
1 x 2
x x2 1

1 1
y  cos 1 x  y  y  sec 1 x  y 
1 x2 x x 2 1

1 1
y  tan 1 x  y  y  cot 1 x  y 
1 x2 1 x2

Now let’s work through a few examples.

Example 1: Find the derivative of y  cos 1 (2x  7).

y  cos1 (2x  7) Use the chain rule to find y

1
y  2
1  (2x  7) 2
2
y 
1  (2x  7) 2

Example 2: Find the derivative of y  cos(sin 1 x).

y  cos(sin 1 x) Use the chain rule to find y

1
y   sin(sin 1 x)  Note: sin(sin 1x)  x
1 x 2

1 x
y   x  
1 x2 1 x2

Example 3: Find the derivative of y  arctan(8x 2 ).

y  arctan(8x 2 ) Use the chain rule to find y

1
y  16x
1  (8x 2 ) 2
16x
y 
1  64x 4

Inverse Trigonometric Functions – Pike Page 2 of 3

 Example 4: Find the derivative of y  sec1 (3x).

y  sec1 (3x) Use the chain rule to find y

1
y  3
3x (3x) 2  1
3
y 
3x 9x 2  1
1
y 
x 9x 2  1

Example 5: Find the derivative of y  x cot 1 (2x).

y  x cot 1 (2x) Use the product rule and chain rule to find y

 1 
y  x   2   cot 1 x
 1  (2x)
2

2x
y   cot 1 x
1  4x 2

Example 6: Find the derivative of y  x arcsin x  1  x 2 .

y  x arcsin x  1  x 2 Use the product rule and chain rule to find y

 1  1 1
y  x    arcsin x  (1  x 2 ) 2 (2x)
 1 x  2
2

x 1
y   arcsin x  x(1  x 2 ) 2
1 x2
x x
y   arcsin x 
1 x2 1 x2
y  arcsin x

Inverse Trigonometric Functions – Pike Page 3 of 3