93

EXAM QUESTIONS
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS

Created by T. Madas
 22
BASIC QUESTIONS
Question 1 (**+)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

π + 3arccos ( x + 1) = 0 .

x=−1
2

Question 2 (***)
It is given that arcsin x = arccos y .

Show, by a clear method, that

x2 + y2 = 1 .

C3U , proof

Question 3 (***)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

( )
3arccot x − 3 − π = 0 .

x= 4 3
3
Question 4 (***+)
A curve C is defined by the equation

y = − arcsin ( x − 1) , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 .

a) Describe the 2 geometric transformations that map the graph of arcsin x onto
the graph of C .

b) Sketch the graph of C .

The sketch must include the coordinates of any points where the graph of C
meets the coordinate axes and the coordinates of the endpoints of C .

C3P , translation by 1 unit to the right, followed by reflection in the x axis

Question 5 (***+)
Simplify, showing all steps in the calculation, the following expression

tan ( arctan 3 − arctan 2 ) ,

giving the final answer as an exact fraction.

1
7
Question 6 (***+)
Show clearly that if x > 0

1 π
arctan x + arctan   = .
 x 2

proof

Question 7 (***+)
Solve the equation

( )
2arctan 1 = arccos x ,
2

showing clearly all the workings.

x=3
5
Question 8 (***+)
Simplify, showing all steps in the calculation, the expression

tan arctan 1 + arctan 1  ,

 3 4

giving the final answer as an exact fraction.

7
11

Question 9 (***+)
Show clearly that

( )
2arccos 4 = arccos 7 .
5 25 ( )
proof
Question 10 (***+)
Show clearly that

arctan 2 + arctan 5 = arctan 3 .

3 12 2

proof

Question 11 (***+)
Show clearly that

2x
sin ( 2 arctan x ) = 2
.
x +1

proof
Question 12 (***+)
Prove the trigonometric identity

π
arcsin x + arccos x = .
2

proof

Question 13 (***+)
Show clearly that

arctan 1 + arctan 4 = arctan 3 .

3 3

proof
Question 14 (***+)
Solve the trigonometric equation

arcsin x = arccos 2 x .

1
x=
5

Question 15 (***+)
Using a detailed method, show that

arctan 1 + arctan 1 = 1 π .
2 3 4

proof
Question 16 (***+)
Show, by detailed workings, that

3π
arctan 2 + arctan 3 = .
4

proof
Question 17 (***+)
Use a detailed method to show that

arccos  5
− 12   − 1  3π .
 + arccos 10 2  =
    4

proof

Question 18 (***+)
Find the general solution of the following trigonometric equation

2arctan ( sin x ) = arctan ( sec x ) .

π
, x= + kπ , k ∈

4
Question 19 (***+)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

3  6x 
2 arctan   = arctan   .
 x  25 

SYN-K , x = ±6
Question 20 (***+)
Prove that

( ) ()
2arcsin 2 = arccos 1 .
3 9

V , SYN-U , proof
Question 21 (***+)
Differentiate with respect to x

 1 − x2 
arctan   .
 x − 2 

Give a simplified answer in the form

A + Bx
,
( Cx + D ) 1 − x 2

where A , B , C and D are integers to be found.

FP2-H , A = 1 , B = −2 , C = 4 , D = −5
Question 22 (***+)
Differentiate with respect to x

  1 
sin arctan   .
  1 − x  
2

Give a simplified answer in the form

A
,
xn

where A and n are integers to be found.

SPX-I , A = −1 , n = 2
 19
STANDARD QUESTIONS
Question 1 (****)

y y

y1 = arcsin x B y2 = arccos x
C
O
D
x

A O E x

The diagrams above shows the graphs of y1 = arcsin x and y2 = arccos x .

The graph of y1 has endpoints at A and B .

The graph of y2 has endpoints at C and E , and D is the point where the graph of y2
crosses the y axis .

a) State the coordinates of A , B , C , D and E .

The graph of y2 can be obtained from the graph of y1 by a series of two geometric
transformations which can be carried out in a specific order.

b) Describe the two geometric transformations.

c) Deduce using valid arguments that

arcsin x + arccos x = constant ,

stating the exact value of this constant.

 π  π  π π
A  −1,  , B 1,  , C ( −1, π ) , D  0,  , E (1, 0 ) , constant =
 2  2  2 2
Question 2 (****)

y = arcsin x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

a) Show that

dy 1
= .
dx 1 − x2

( )
The point P 1 , k , where k is a constant lies on the curve with equation
6

π
arcsin 3 x + 2 arcsin y = , x ≤ 1 , y ≤ 1.
2 3

b) Find the value of the gradient at P .

SYNF-A , − 3
2
Question 3 (****)

f ( x ) = 2 + 2sin x , −π ≤ x ≤ π .

a) Find an expression for f −1 ( x ) .

b) Sketch the graph of f −1 ( x ) .

The sketch must include the coordinates of any points where the graph of
f −1 ( x ) meet the coordinate axes as well as the coordinates of its endpoints.

(
f −1 ( x ) = arcsin 1 x − 1
2 )

Question 4 (****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

3
tan ( arctan 3 x − arctan 2 ) + tan ( arctan 3 − arctan 2 x ) = .
8

x=1
2
Question 5 (****)
A curve has equation

y = π − arccos ( x + 1) , −2 ≤ x ≤ 0 .

a) Describe geometrically the 3 transformations that map the graph of

y = arccos x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 ,

onto the graph of

y = π − arccos ( x + 1) , −2 ≤ x ≤ 0 .

b) Sketch the graph of

y = π − arccos ( x + 1) , −2 ≤ x ≤ 0 .
The sketch must include the coordinates of any points where the graph meets
the coordinate axes.

c) Use symmetry arguments to find the area of the finite region bounded by

y = π − arccos ( x + 1) , −2 ≤ x ≤ 0 ,

and the coordinate axes.

C3L , translation by 1 unit to the right, followed by reflection in the x axis ,

area = π
Question 6 (****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

1  1  π
arctan   + arctan  = .
x  x +1 4

x = −1, 2
Question 7 (****)

( )
f ( x ) = −2 + 2 tan 1 x , −π ≤ x ≤ π .
2

a) Find an expression for f −1 ( x ) .

b) Sketch the graph of f −1 ( x ) .

The sketch must include …

• …the equations of the asymptotes of f −1 ( x )

• …the coordinates of any points where the graph of f −1 ( x ) meets the

coordinate axes.

( )
f −1 ( x ) = 2arctan 1 x + 1
2
Question 8 (****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

3  6x 
2 arctan   = arcsin   .
 x  25 

MP2-V , x = ±4
Question 9 (****)
The curves C1 and C2 have respective equations

y1 = 3arcsin ( x − 1) and y1 = 2 arccos ( x − 1) .

a) Sketch in the same diagram the graphs of C1 and C2 .

The sketch must include the coordinates of any points where the graphs of C1
and C2 meet the coordinate axes as well as the coordinates of the endpoints of
the curves.

b) Use a suitable iteration formula of the form xn+1 = f ( xn ) with x1 = 1.6 to find
the x coordinate of the point of intersection between the graphs of C1 and C2 .

x ≈ 1.59
Question 10 (****)
Make x the subject of the equation

arctan (1 + x ) + arctan (1 − x ) = y .

2
x=±
tan y
Question 11 (****)
It is given that

d 1
( arcsin u ) = , u ≤ 1.
du 1− u2

1 
Hence show that if y = sin  arcsin 2 x  , then …
2 

2
 dy 
( )
a) … 1 − 4 x   = 1 − y 2 .
2
 dx 

d2y
(
b) … 1 − 4 x 2 ) dx2 − 4 x dydx + y = 0 .
FP2-G , proof
Question 12 (****)

y = arcsin x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

a) By expressing arccos x in terms of y , show that

π
arcsin x + arccos x = .
2

b) Hence, or otherwise, solve the equation

3arcsin ( x − 1) = 2arccos ( x − 1) .

( )
x = 1 + sin π ≈ 1.5878
5
Question 13 (****)
A curve has equation

1 1 π π
y = arcsin 2 x , − ≤ x ≤ , − ≤ y ≤ .
2 2 2 2

dx
a) By finding and using an appropriate trigonometric identity show that
dy

dy 2
= .
dx 1 − 4 x2

b) Show further that …

d2y Ax
i. … = 3 ,
dx 2
(1 − 4 x )2 2

d3y Bx 2 + C
ii. … = 5 ,
dx3
(1 − 4 x )
2 2

where A , B and C are constants to be found.

SYN-B , proof
Question 14 (****)

1 1 π π
y = arcsin x , − ≤ x ≤ , − ≤ y ≤ .
2 2 2 2

dx
a) By finding and using an appropriate trigonometric identity show that
dy

dy 1
= .
dx 1 − x2

A curve C has equation

1 1 π π
y = x arcsin 2 x , − ≤ x ≤ , − ≤ y ≤ .
2 2 2 2

dy
b) Find the exact value of at the point on C where x = 1 .
dx 4

(
MP2-B , 1 π + 2 3
6 )
Question 15 (****)

y = 2 x arcsin 2 x + 1 − 4 x 2 , − 1 ≤ x ≤ 1 .
2 2

Show clearly that

2
d3y  dy   d2y 
 y − x  = x  2  .
dx3  dx   dx 

FP2-K , proof
Question 16 (****)
Use trigonometric algebra to solve the equation

sin  arcsin 1 + arccos x  = 1 .

 4 

x=1
4

Question 17 (****)
The curve C has equation

y = arcsin ( 2 x − 1) , −0 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

Find the coordinates of the point on C , whose gradient is 2 .

( 12 , 0)
Question 18 (****)
Find a simplified expression for

d   x 
arctan   
dx  
 
2
 4− x

d   x  1
FP2-Q , arctan    =
dx  
 
2
 4− x 4 − x2

Question 19 (****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation.

arctan 2 x + arctan x = arctan 3 , x∈ .

SP-F , x = 1
2
 16
HARD QUESTIONS
Question 1 (****+)

f ( x ) = 2arcsin x − arcsin ( 2 x − 1) , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

By considering f ′ ( x ) sketch the graph of f ( x ) .

FP2-V , graph
Question 2 (****+)

sin 3θ ≡ 3sin θ − 4sin 3 θ .

a) Prove the validity of the above trigonometric identity by considering the

expansion of sin ( 2θ + θ ) .

b) Hence or otherwise solve the equation

()
arcsin x = 3arcsin 1 .
3

x = 23
27
Question 3 (****+)
Solve the following simultaneous equations

arctan x + arctan y = arctan 8

x+ y = 2.

x = 1 , y = 3 , in either order
2 2
Question 4 (****+)

π π
f ( x ) = sec x , 0≤ x< ∪ < x ≤π .
2 2

a) Sketch in the same diagram the graphs of f ( x ) and f −1 ( x ) = arcsec x .

b) State the domain and range of f −1 ( x ) = arcsec x .

c) Show clearly that arcsec x = arccos 1x . ( )

d 1
d) Show further that ( arcsec x ) = .
dx 4
x −x 2

π
SYN-R , domain: x ≤ −1 ∪ x ≥ 1 , range: 0 ≤ f −1 ( x ) ≤ π , f −1 ( x ) ≠
2
Question 5 (****+)
Show clearly that

3  12 
2 arctan   + arctan   = π .
2  5

V , proof

Question 6 (****+)
Show clearly that

 1− x  π
arctan x + arctan  = .
 1+ x  4

proof
Question 7 (****+)
Solve the following trigonometric equation.

 x−5  x−4 π
arctan   + arctan   = , x∈.
 x −1   x −3 4

x=3 ∪ x=6
Question 8 (****+)

y = arccos x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 , 0 ≤ y ≤ π .

a) By writing y = arccos x as x = cos y , show that

dy 1
=− .
dx 1− x 2

The curve C has equation

( )
y = arccos x − 1 ln 1 − x 2 , x > 0 .
2

b) Show that the y coordinate of the stationary point of C is

1
(π + ln 4 ) .
4

FP2-O , proof
Question 9 (****+)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

arcsin x + arccos 3 = 2arctan 3 .

5 4

SYN-T , x = 44
125

Question 10 (****+)
Find the solution of the equation

 1− x  1
arctan   = arctan x .
 1+ x  2

SP-C , x = 3
3
Question 11 (****+)
The functions f and g are defined by

π π
f ( x ) ≡ 3sin x , x ∈  , − ≤x≤
2 2

g ( x ) ≡ 6 − 3x 2 , x ∈  .

a) Find an expression for f −1g ( x ) .

b) Determine the domain of f −1g ( x ) .

( )
SP-C , f −1 g ( x ) = arcsin 2 − x 2 , − 3 ≤ x ≤ −1 or 1 ≤ x ≤ 3
Question 12 (****+)

y = arctan x , x ∈  .

a) By writing the above equation in the form x = g ( y ) , show that

d 1
( arctan x ) = .
dx 1 + x2

The function f is defined as

f ( x ) = arctan x , x ∈  , x ≥ 0 .

b) Show further that

1 −3 −2
f ′′ ( x ) = − x 2 ( 3 x + 1)( x + 1) .
4

FP2-M , proof
Question 13 (****+)

 sin x 
f ( x ) ≡ arctan   , 0 < x < 2π .
 cos x − 1 

Show that f ( x ) represents a straight line segment.

V , FP2-X , proof
Question 14 (****+)

 1   1   31 
2 arctan   + arctan   = arctan   .
 x − 3  x + 2 17 

Show that x = 5 is one of the solutions of the above trigonometric equation, and find
in exact surd form the other two solutions.

10 ± 5 190
x=
31
Question 15 (****+)

y = arccos x , x ∈  , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

a) By writing the above equation in the from x = f ( y ) , show that

d 1
( arccos x ) = − .
dx 1− x 2

A curve has equation

( )
y = arccos 1 − x 2 , x ∈  , 0 < x ≤ 2 .

b) Show further that

d2y 2x
= 3 .
dx 2
(2 − x )
2 2

c) Show clearly that

2 5
d3y d 2 y  dy   dy 
16 3 = 4 x 2   + 2 + x 2   .
dx dx  dx   dx 
( )
FP2-U , proof
Question 16 (****+)

(
y = 2+ x ) 1 − x + arcsin 1 − x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

Show with detailed workings that

dy 1− x
= .
dx x −1

V , FP2-Y , proof
 36
ENRICHMENT
QUESTIONS
Question 1 (*****)
Given the simultaneous equations

3tan θ + 4 tan ϕ = 8

π
θ +ϕ = ,
2

find the possible value of tan θ and the possible value of tan ϕ .

[ tanθ , tan ϕ ] =  2, 12  =  23 , 23 
Question 2 (*****)
Simplify, showing all steps in the calculation, the expression

4
arctan + arctan 2 − arctan 3 ,
3

giving the answer in terms of π .

π
4
Question 3 (*****)

 1− x 
y = arctan x + arctan  , x∈.
 1+ x 

Without simplifying the above expression, use differentiation to show that for all
values of x

dy
= 0.
dx

proof
Question 4 (*****)
A curve C has equation

y = earctan x , x ∈  .

a) Show, with detailed workings, that

d3y
=
( 6 x 2 − 6 x − 1) earctan x
.
dx3 2 3
( )
1 + x

b) Deduce that C has a point of inflection, stating its coordinates.

SPX-J ,  1 ,e
arctan 2 
1

2 
Question 5 (*****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

( )
cos arcsin 1 sin ( arccos x ) = 1 ( 4 − x ) , x ∈  .
4 4

SPX-L , x = 1
4
Question 6 (*****)
Simplify, showing all steps in the calculation, the expression

2
arctan 8 + arctan 2 + arctan ,
3

giving the answer in terms of π .

SP-A , π
Question 7 (*****)
It is given that

 α + cos x 
y = arcsin  ,
1 + α cos x 

where α is a constant.

Show that

dy 1−α 2
=− .
dx 1 + α cos x

SPX-H , proof
Question 8 (*****)
The functions f and g are defined by

f ( x ) ≡ cos x , x ∈  , 0 ≤ x ≤ π

g ( x ) ≡ 1 − x2 , x ∈  .

a) Solve the equation fg ( x ) = 1 .

2

b) Determine the values of x for which f −1g ( x ) is not defined.

x = ± 1 − π , x < − 2 or x > 2
6
Question 9 (*****)
The acute angles θ and ϕ satisfy the following equations

2 cos θ = cos ϕ
2sin θ = 3sin ϕ .

Show clearly that

θ + ϕ = π − arctan 15

C3O , proof
Question 10 (*****)
Show clearly that

 24 
4 arccot 2 + arctan   = π .
 7 

C3T , proof
Question 11 (*****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

5π
arcsin 2 x + arccos x = .
6

SP-B , x = 1
2
Question 12 (*****)
Find the only finite solution of the equation

 x   1  π
arcsin   + 2arctan  = .
 x −1   x +1 2

x=0
Question 13 (*****)
Solve the trigonometric equation

 1− x  π
2 arctan ( x − 2 ) + arcsin   = , x∈.
 1+ x  2

SP-S , x = 4
Question 14 (*****)
Use trigonometric algebra to fully simplify

 1 + sin x − 1 − sin x  π
arctan  , 0< x< ,
 1 + sin x + 1 − sin x  4

giving the final answer in terms of x .

SP-R , 1 x
2
Question 15 (*****)
Use trigonometric algebra to solve the equation

2π
arctan x + 2arccot x = .
3

You may assume that arccot x is the inverse function for the part of cot x for which
0≤ x ≤π .

SP-U , x = 3
Question 16 (*****)
Use trigonometric algebra to fully simplify

1  7  1
2 arctan   + arccos   + arctan   ,
5 5 2  8

giving the final answer in terms of π .

π
SP-Q ,
4
Question 17 (*****)

 1 
f ( x ) = arctan ( 3 x ) + arcsin  , x∈.
 2 
 9x +1 

Show, by a detailed method, that …

a) … f ′ ( x ) = 0 .

 1 
b) … arctan ( 3 x ) + arcsin   ≡ kπ , stating the value of the constant k .
 2 
 9x +1 

FP2-S , k = 1
2
Question 18 (*****)
It given that

π
arctan x + arctan y + arctan z = .
2

Show that x , y and z satisfy the relationship

xy + yz + zx = 1 .

SP-Y , proof
Question 19 (*****)
The positive solution of the quadratic equation x 2 − x − 1 = 0 is denoted by φ , and is
commonly known as the golden section or golden number.

Solve the equation

( )
x cos 1 arctan 2 = φ , x ∈  .
2

n
Give the answer in the form m , where m and n are positive integers.

V , SPX-U , x = 4 5
Question 20 (*****)
Prove that if x ≤ 1

 1− x  1
arctan   ≡ 2 arccos x .
 1 + x 

V , SPX-V , proof
Question 21 (*****)
Use a trigonometric algebra to solve the following equation

5π 2
( arctan x )2 + ( arccot x )2 = .
8

You may assume that y = arccot x is the inverse function of y = cot x , 0 ≤ x ≤ π

SP-Z , x = −1
Question 22 (*****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

arctan  x cos 2arcsin 1x  = 1 π .

( )
  4

SP-V , x = −1, x = 2
Question 23 (*****)
On a clearly labelled set of axes, draw a detailed sketch of the graph of

2
y = ( arcsin x ) arccos x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 .

SP-N , graph
Question 24 (*****)
Solve the following trigonometric equation

sin  arccot ( x + 1)  = cos ( arctan x ) .

You may assume that y = arccot x is the inverse function for y = cot x , 0 ≤ x ≤ π .

SP-W , x = − 1
2
Question 25 (*****)
Prove that if x ≤ 1

1 − 1 − x2
tan  1 arcsin x  ≡ .
2  x

V , X , proof
Question 26 (*****)
It is given that

( arcsin x )3 + ( arccos x )3 = kπ 3 , x ≤ 1,

for some constant k .

a) Show that a necessary but not sufficient condition for the above equation to
have solutions is that

k≥ 1 .
32

b) Solve the equation given that it only has one solution.

c) Given instead that that k = 7 , find the two solutions of the equation, giving
96
the answers in the form x = sin ( aπ ) , where a ∈  .

2 π   5π 
SP-X , x = , x = sin   , x = sin  
2  12   12 
Question 27 (*****)
Sketch the graph of

f ( x ) = arcsin ( cos x ) ,

in the largest domain that the function is defined.

Indicate the coordinates of any intersections with the axes, and the coordinates of the
cusps of the curve.

SP-V , graph
Question 28 (*****)

 2x 
y = arctan  , x∈.
 1 − x2 

 2x 
Differentiate y with respect to arcsin   , fully simplifying the answer.
 1 + x2 

FP2-T , 1
Question 29 (*****)
 1 − x2 
Differentiate arctan   with respect to arccos  2 x 1 − x 2  , and hence sketch
 x   
the graph of the resulting gradient function.

SPX-V , − 1 sign ( x )
2
Question 30 (*****)
It is given that

arctan 2 + arctan A + arctan B = π .

It is further given that A and B are distinct positive real numbers other than unity.

Determine a pair of possible values for A and B .

SP-F , 5 & 7
9
Question 31 (*****)
By sketching the graph of the integrand, or otherwise, determine the maximum value
of the following function

b
F ( a, b ) ≡

a
2arcsin x + 2 − arcsin ( 2 x + 3) dx .

SPX-L , proof
Question 32 (*****)
If 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 , simplify fully

arcsin ( 2 x − 1) − 2 arcsin x .

V , SPX-X , − 1 π
2
Question 33 (*****)
Prove that for all x such that −1 ≤ x ≤ 1

( ) π
arccos x + arccos  1 x + 3 − 3 x 2  = .
 2  3

SP-T , proof
Question 34 (*****)
Find, in exact surd form, the only real solution of the following trigonometric equation

π
arcsin ( 2 x − 1) − arccos x = .
6

The rejection of any additional solutions must be fully justified.

SP-P , x = 1 − 1 6
2 6
Question 35 (*****)
By considering the trigonometric identity for tan ( A − B ) , with A = arctan ( n + 1) and
B = arctan ( n ) , sum the following series


n =1

arctan  2
1 
.
 n + n +1

You may assume the series converges.

π
SPX-L ,
4
Question 36 (*****)

T
l
r
θ P
R
O x

A circular wheel of radius r and centre at the origin O of a positive x axis. A particle
P is constrained to move on the positive x axis, so that the distance OP is x . The
particle is connected to a taut cable which runs over the wheel and hangs vertically
down on the other side of the wheel as shown in the figure above. The section of the
cable RT , which is in contact with the wheel has length l . The section of the cable
TP is a straight line.

a) Given that the angle TOP = θ show that

dl r2
=− .
dx 2
x x −r 2

Let s = l + TP and suppose that P is moving in the positive x direction with

constant speed 2 units per unit time.

b) Find the rate at which s is increasing when P is at a distance of 2r from O .

SPX-N , 3
Question 37 (*****)
Prove that if 0 < x < 1


d  2
1 + 2 tan 1 arcsin x
arctan 
(2 )   ≡
1
.
dx  3  3  (2 + x) 1 − x2
   

V , SPX-Z , proof