INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

Trigonometric Domain Range Inverse Tri. Domain Range Unit circle diagram
function Function

[ −1 ,1 ] [ −1 ,1 ]
[ ]
Real number R −1
sin x −π π
y = sinx ,
2 2

Real number R
y=cosx [ −1 ,1 ] cos x
−1
[ −1 ,1 ] [0,π ]

R – { x : x = (2n + 1) π/2 , n ∈ Z}
y= tanx R tan x
−1
R

( −π2 , π2 )

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

y= cotx R – { x : x = nπ, n ∈ Z} R cot x

−1
R (0 , π )

R – (– 1, 1) R – (–1,1)
y=cosecx
[ ]
−1
R – { x : x = nπ, n ∈ Z} x >1∨¿ cose c x −π π
, −0
x ←1 2 2

y=secx R – { x : x = (2n + 1) π/2 , n ∈ Z} R – (– 1, 1)

x >1∨¿
x ←1
sec x
−1
R – (–1,1)
{2 }
[ 0 , π ]− π

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

Trigonometric Functions are not one-one and onto on their natural domains and ranges, so
their inverse do not exist in all values but their inverse may exist in some interval of their
domain and ranges. Thus, we can say that inverse of trigonometric functions are defined
within restricted domains of corresponding trigonometric functions.
Suppose y= f(x)= sin x then sin−1 y=x
Graphs of inverse trigonometric function:

Objective type questions

Choose the correct answer from the given four options..
Example 1 Which of the following corresponds to the principal value branch of tan−1 ?

(A) (−π π
2 2
, ) (B) [−π π
2 2
,
] (C) (
−π π
2 2 )
, −{0} (D) (0 , π )
Solution (A) is the correct answer.
Example 2 The principal value branch of sec−1 is

(A) [−π π
2 2 ]
, −{0} (B) [0 , π ]−{}
π
2
(C) (0 , π ) (D) (
−π π
2 2
, )
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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

Solution (B) is the correct answer.

Example 3 One branch of cos−1 other than the principal value branch corresponds to

(A) [π 3π
,
2 2 ]
(B) [π , 2 π ]−
3π
2 { }
(C) (0 , π ) (D) [2 π , 3 π ]
Solution (D) is the correct answer.
−1
Example 4 The value of sin ⁡ cos ⁡
43 π
5 ( ( ))
is

3π −7 π π −π
(A) (B) (C) (D)
5 5 10 10
Solution (D) is the correct answer.

(
sin−1 ⁡ cos ⁡
40 π +3 π
5 ) (
=sin−1 ⁡cos ⁡ 8 π +
3π
5 )
−1
(
¿ sin ⁡ cos ⁡
3π
5 ) −1
=sin ⁡ sin ⁡ −
2 5( (
π 3π −1
=sin ⁡ sin ⁡
−π
10))
=
−π
10
.
( ( ))
Example 5 The principal value of the expression cos−1 ⁡[ cos ⁡( −680∘ ) ] is
2π −2 π 34 π π
(A) (B) (C) (D)
9 9 9 9
Solution (A) is the correct answer. cos ⁡( cos ⁡( 680 ) ) =cos ⁡[ cos ⁡( 720 −40∘ ) ]
−1 ∘ −1 ∘

2π
¿ cos ⁡[ cos ⁡( −40 ) ] =cos ⁡[ cos ⁡( 40 ) ]=40 =
−1 ∘ −1 ∘ ∘
.
9

Example 6 The value of cot ⁡( sin−1 ⁡x ) is

(A) √ √
1+ x 2 x 1 1−x 2
(B) (C) (D) .
x √1+ x 2 x x
Solution (D) is the correct answer. Let sin−1 ⁡x=θ , then sin ⁡θ=x

1 2 1
⇒ cosec ⁡θ= ⇒ cosec ⁡θ= 2
x x

⇒ 1+cot 2 ⁡θ=
1
⇒ cot ⁡θ= √ 1−x 2
x2 x

π
−1
Example 7 If tan ⁡x= for some x ∈ R, then the value of cot−1 ⁡x is
10
π 2π 3π 4π
(A) (B) (C) (D)
5 5 5 5
−1 −1 π
Solution (B) is the correct answer. We know tan ⁡x+ cot ⁡x= .
2

−1 π π 4π 2 π
Therefore, cot x= − = =
2 10 10 5

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

Example 8 The domain of sin−1 ⁡2 x is

(A) [0 ,1] (B) [−1 ,1]

−1 1
2 2
,(C) [ ]
(D) [−2 ,2]

Solution (C) is the correct answer. Let sin−1 ⁡2 x=θ so that 2 x=sin ⁡θ .
−1 1
Now −1 ≤sin ⁡θ ≤ 1, i.e., −1 ≤2 x ≤ 1 which gives ≤ x≤ .
2 2

Example 9 The principal value of sin ⁡

−1 − √ 3
2
is ( )
−2 π −π 4π 5π
(A) (B) (C) (D) .
3 3 3 3
Solution (B) is the correct answer.

sin−1 ⁡ ( −2√3 )=sin ⁡(−sin ⁡π3 )=−sin ⁡(sin ⁡π3 )=−π3 .

−1 −1

2 2
Example 10 The greatest and least values of ( sin−1 ⁡x ) + ( cos−1 ⁡x ) are respectively
5π
2
π
2
π −π π
2
−π
2
π
2
(A) and (B) and (C) and (D) and
4 8 2 2 4 4 4
0.
Solution (A) is the correct answer. We have

( sin−1 ⁡x ) + ( cos−1 ⁡x ) =( sin−1 ⁡x + cos−1 ⁡x ) −2 sin−1 ⁡x cos−1 ⁡x

2 2 2

( )
2
π −1 π −1
¿ −2 sin ⁡x −sin ⁡x
4 2
2
π 2
−π sin ⁡x +2 ( sin ⁡x )
−1 −1
¿
4

[ ] [( ) ]
2 2 2
2 π −1 π ¿ 2 sin−1 ⁡x− π + π
¿ 2 ( sin ⁡x ) − sin ⁡x +
−1
2 8 4 16

( )
2 2
π π
Thus, the least value is 2 i.e. and the
16 8

[( ) ]
2 2
2
−π π π 5π
Greatest value is 2 − + , i.e. .
2 4 16 4
Example 11 Let θ=sin−1 ⁡( sin ⁡(−600∘ ) , then value of θ is

π π 2π −2 π
(A) (B) (C) (D) .
3 2 3 3
Solution (A) is the correct answer.

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

(
sin−1 ⁡sin ⁡ −600 ×
π
180)=sin−1 ⁡sin ⁡
3 (
−10 π
)
−1
[ (
=sin ⁡ −sin ⁡ 4 π−
2π
3 )]
=sin−1 ⁡ sin ⁡(
2π
3 )
−1
( ( ))
=sin ⁡ sin ⁡ π −
π
3
−1
(π
=sin ⁡ sin ⁡ =
3
π
3 )
Example 12 The domain of the function y=sin−1 ⁡(−x 2 ) is
(A) [0 ,1] (B) (0 , 1) (C) [−1 ,1] (D) ϕ
Solution (C) is the correct answer. y=sin−1 ⁡(−x 2 ) ⇒ sin ⁡y=−x 2
2
i.e. −1 ≤−x ≤1( since −1 ≤ sin ⁡y ≤1)
2
⇒ 1 ≥ x ≥−1
2
⇒0≤ x ≤ 1

⇒∨x∨≤ 1 i.e. −1 ≤ x ≤1

Example 13 The domain of y=cos−1 ⁡( x 2−4 ) is

(A) [3 ,5]
(B) [0 , π ]
(C) [−√5 ,−√ 3]∩[−√ 5 , √3]
(D) [−√ 5 ,−√ 3]∪[ √ 3 , √ 5]
Solution (D) is the correct answer. y=cos−1 ⁡( x 2−4 ) ⇒cos ⁡y=x 2−4
2
i.e. −1≤ x −4 ≤1( since −1 ≤ cos ⁡y ≤ 1)
2
⇒3≤ x ≤ 5

⇒ √ 3 ≤∨x∨≤ √ 5

⇒ x ∈[− √ 5 ,− √ 3]∪[ √ 3 , √ 5]

Example 14 The domain of the function defined by f (x)=sin−1 ⁡x+ cos ⁡x is

(A) [−1 ,1] (B) [−1 , π +1] (C) (−∞ , ∞ ) (D) ϕ

Solution (A) is the correct answer. The domain of cos is R and the domain of sin−1 is [−1 ,1].
Therefore, the domain of cos ⁡x+sin−1 ⁡x is R ∩[−1 , 1], i.e., [−1 ,1].
Example 15 The value of sin ⁡( 2sin−1 ⁡(⋅6) ) is
(A) −48 (B) 96 (C) 1−2 (D) sin ⁡1.2
−1
Solution (B) is the correct answer. Let sin ⁡(⋅6)=θ , i.e., sin ⁡θ=.6.
Now sin ⁡(2θ)=2sin ⁡θ cos ⁡θ=2(⋅6)(⋅8)=.96 .

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

−1 −1 π
Example 16 If sin ⁡x +sin ⁡y = , then value of cos−1 ⁡x+ cos−1 ⁡y is
2
π 2π
(A) (B) π (C) 0 (D)
2 3
−1 −1 π
Solution (A) is the correct answer. Given that sin ⁡x +sin ⁡y = .
2

Therefore, ( π2 −cos ⁡x )+( π2 −cos ⁡y)= π2

−1 −1

−1 −1 π
⇒ cos ⁡x+ cos ⁡y =
2

−1 3
5 (
−1 1
Example 17 The value of tan ⁡ cos ⁡ + tan ⁡ is
4 )
19 8 19 3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
8 19 12 4
Solution (A) is the correct answer.

( 3
5
1
4
4
) (
tan ⁡ cos−1 ⁡ + tan−1 ⁡ =tan ⁡ tan−1 ⁡ + tan−1 ⁡
3
1
4 )

( )
4 1
+
−1
¿ tan ⁡
3 4
4 1
1− ×
−1 19
=tan ⁡tan ⁡
8
19
= .
8 ( )
3 4

Example 18 The value of the expression sin ⁡[ cot−1 ⁡( cos ⁡( tan−1 ⁡1 ) ) ] is

√
1 2
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) (D) .
√3 3
Solution (D) is the correct answer.

[ (
sin ⁡ cot−1 ⁡ cos ⁡
π
4 )] [
=sin ⁡ cot−1 ⁡
1
√2 ] [ √]√
=sin ⁡ sin−1 ⁡
2
3
=
2
3

−1 −1 −1
Example 19 The equation tan ⁡x−cot ⁡x=tan ⁡ ( √13 ) has
(A) no solution (B) unique solution
(C) infinite number of solutions (D) two solutions
Solution (B) is the correct answer. We have

−1 π −1 −1 −1 π
tan ⁡x−cot ⁡x= and tan ⁡x+ cot ⁡x=
6 2
−1 2 π
Adding them, we get 2 tan ⁡x=
3

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

π
i.e., x=√ 3.
−1
⇒ tan ⁡x=
3

Example 20 If α ≤ 2 sin−1 ⁡x +cos−1 ⁡x ≤ β , then

−π π
(A) α = , β= (B) α =0 , β=π
2 2
−π 3π
(C) α = , β= (D) α =0 , β=2 π
2 2

−π −1 π
Solution (B) is the correct answer. We have ≤ sin ⁡x ≤
2 2

−π π −1 π π π
⇒ + ≤ sin ⁡x + ≤ +
2 2 2 2 2

⇒0 ≤ sin−1 ⁡x + ( sin−1 ⁡x +cos−1 ⁡x ) ≤ π

−1 −1
⇒ 0 ≤ 2 sin ⁡x+ cos ⁡x ≤ π

Example 21 The value of tan2 ⁡( sec −1 ⁡2 ) + cot2 ⁡( cosec −1 ⁡3 ) is

(A) 5 (B) 11 (C) 13 (D) 15
Solution (B) is the correct answer.

tan2 ⁡( sec −1 ⁡2 ) + cot2 ⁡( cosec−1 ⁡3 ) =sec 2 ⁡( sec−1 ⁡2 )−1+ cosec2 ⁡( cosec−1 ⁡3 ) −1

2 2
¿ 2 × 1+3 −2=11.

Assertion Reason Questions:

1.In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason
(R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

Assertion : cos ⁡
2( )
−1 − √ 3
=
−π
3
Reason : Principal Value branch of arc cosine function is [0 , π ].

( −π3 )=cos ⁡π3 = 12 cos ⁡( −2√ 3 )=π −cos

cos ⁡ −1 −1
⁡√ =π− =
2
3 π 5π
6 6

Answer (d)

2.In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason
(R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .

c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.
−1 −1
Assertion : sin ⁡
2
= ( )
−π
6

Reason : Principal Value branch of arc sine function is

−π π
2 2
,
[
and sin ⁡
6 ]
−π −1
=
2 ( )
−1
sin ⁡x= y ⇒ x=sin ⁡y

(−π6 )= −12 ⇒ sin ⁡( −12 )= −π6 sin ⁡(⋅θ)=−sin ⁡θ ⋅sin ⁡π6 = 12

sin ⁡ −1

Answer (a)

3.In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason
(R). Pick the correct option:

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .

b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

Assertion : sin
−1
( −12 )= −π6
⁡

Reason: Principal Value branch of arc sine function is [ −π π

]
, and sin ⁡
2 2 ( )
−π −1
6
=
2
−1
sin ⁡x= y ⇒ x=sin ⁡y

(−π6 )= −12 ⇒ sin ⁡( −12 )= −π6

sin ⁡ −1
Answer (a)

4. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason

(R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

Assertion :The value of cos ⁡

( π
2 ( ))
−1 −1
+sin ⁡
2
=
1
2
Reason: sin−1 ⁡(−θ)=−sin−1 ⁡(θ)

cos ⁡ ( π2 − π6 )=cos ⁡π3 = 12

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

Answer (b)

5. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason

(R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

Assertion : Domain of the function sin−1 ⁡(2 x −1) is [0 ,1]

Reason : Domain of sin−1 ⁡x is

−π π
, ×
2 2 [ ]
D. of sin−1 ⁡x is [−1 ,1]

−1 ⩽2 x−1 ⩽ 1 ⇒ 0 ⩽ 2 x ⩽ 2 ⇒ 0 ⩽ x ⩽1

Answer (c)

6. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of

Reason (R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false

Assertion: Value of the expression sec

−1
( √23 )+tan −1
1−sin
−1
( √12 ) is π4
Reason: Principal Value branch of sin−1 ⁡x is [ −π π
,
2 2 ]
and that of sec−1 ⁡x is [0 , π ],

sec−1 ⁡x →[0 , π ]− { π2 }, ten

−1
⁡x → ( −π2 , π2 ) , sin −1
⁡x →
[−π π
,
2 2 ]
π π π π
+ − =
6 4 4 6

Answer (e)

7. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of

Reason (R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

( −1
Assertion: Value of cos ⁡ 2 tan ⁡
1 3
)
= x
2 4
−1
Reason : 2 tan ⁡x=cos ⁡
−1
( 1−x
2x
)× 2

( ( )
1
1−
( )
2
−1 1−x 4 3
cos ⁡( 2 tan ⁡1/2 ) =cos ⁡ cos ⁡
−1 −1 −1 −1
cos ⁡cos ⁡θ=0 , 2 tan ⁡x=cos ⁡ 2
=
1+ x 1 5
1+
4

Answer (e )

8. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of

Reason (R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

−1 3 −1 4 −1 2 −1 5
Assertion : sin ⁡ + 3 cos ⁡ + sec ⁡ +3 cosec ⁡ =2 π
2 5 3 4
−1 −1 π −1 −1 π
Reason : sin ⁡x +cos ⁡x= , cosec ⁡x+ sec ⁡x=
2 2

3 2 4 5 3 3
(
4
sin−1 ⁡ + sec −1 ⁡ + 3 cos−1 ⁡ +3 cosec−1 ⁡ =sin−1 ⁡ + cos−1 ⁡ + 3 cos−1 ⁡ +sin−1 ⁡
2 3 5 4 2 2 5
4
5 )
−1 −1 1 3 π −1 −1 1
sec ⁡x=cos ⁡ , =2 π and cosec ⁡x=sin ⁡
x 2 x

Answer (b)

9. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of

Reason (R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

π
Assertion: Value of sec ⁡( tan ⁡3 ) + cosec ⁡( cot ⁡4 ) =
2 −1 2 −1
2
−1 −1 π
Reason: tan ⁡θ+cot ⁡θ=
2
2 2 2 2
sec ⁡θ=1+ tan ⁡θ ,cosec ⁡θ=1+cot ⁡θ

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 INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

¿ 1+ tan2 ⁡( tan1 ⁡3 ) +1+cot 2 ⁡( cot11 ⁡4 ) =1+ 32 +1+ 4 2=27

Answer (d)

10. In the following question a statement of Assertion ( A) is followed by a statement of

Reason (R). Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.

(
−1 3
5
−1 3
Assertion : The value of tan ⁡ sin ⁡ +cot ⁡ is .
2
17
6 )
−1 −1
Reason: tan ⁡x−tan ⁡y=tan ⁡
−1 x+ y
1−xy (× )

( ( )
3 2
+
3
4 ( −1 3 −1 2
) −1
tan ⁡ tan ⁡ + tan ⁡ =tan ⁡ tan ⁡
4 3
4 3
3 2
1− +
=
7
6
4 3

tan−1 ⁡x+ tan−1 ⁡y=tan−1 ⁡ ( 1−xy

x+ y
) Answer ( c)

11. In the following question a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R).
Pick the correct option:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A .
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A .
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false.
−1 −1 3π 1
Assertion: If sin ⁡x + 4 cos ⁡x= , then x= ,
2 2
−1 −1 π −1 π 1
Reason: sin ⁡x +cos ⁡x= , cos ⁡x= y ⇒ x=cos ⁡y and cos ⁡ =
2 3 2

−1 −1 π
sin ⁡x +cos ⁡x=
2

π 3π π
∴ + 3 cos−1 ⁡x= −1 −1
⇒ 3 cos ⁡x =π ⇒ cos ⁡x=
2 2 3

π 1
⇒ x=cos ⁡ = Answer (a)
3 2

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INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

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