INVERSE

TRIGONOME
TRIC

Define
means to
measure the three side
of a triangle.
INVERSE
TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS

Six functions
INVERSE

Trigonometry

Sin-1

Cos-1

Tan-1

Sec-1

THERE are six

trigonometric function
which are:

Trigonometry

Cot-1

Cosec-1

Inverse Trigonometric function Domain and Range

Function

Domain

Range

sin-1x

[-1,1]

[-/2, /2]

cos-1x

[-1,1]

[0, ]

Function

Domain

Range

tan-1x

(- , )

(-/2, /2)

sec-1x

(-, -1] U [1, )

[0, ] excl. /2

cosec-1x

(-, -1] U [1, )

[-/2, /2] excl. 0

cot-1x

(- , )

(0, )

Inverse Trigonometric function

Properties
Always remember to keep the
restriction of domain and range ,
while solving inverse trigonometric
functions.
sin( sin-1 x) = x
tan( tan-1 x) = x
sin-1 ( sin x) = x

and cos (cos-1 x) = x if x is in [-1,1]

x if x is in ( -, )
if x is in [-/2, /2]

cos-1 ( cos x) = x

if x is in [0, ]

sec-1 ( sec x) = x

if x is in [0, ] excl. x = /2

Inverse

trigonometric
function

Properties
sin-1 (-x) = -sin-1 (x) if x is in [-1,1]
cos-1 (-x) = - cos-1x if x is in [-1,1]
tan-1(-x) = - tan-1x if x is in ( -, )
cot-1(-x) = - cot-1x if x is in (-,)
cosec-1(-x) = - cosec-1x if x is in (-,-1] U [1,)
sec-1(-x) = - sec-1x if x is in (-,-1] U [1,)

Let us take an example

Find the principal value:-

sin-1 (Sin 2 /3)

Solution:2 /3 is not in

range i.e. (- /2,

/2)

sin-1 {Sin (- /3)}

sin-1 ( Sin /3)

= /3

Important properties
sin-1 x+ cos-1 x = /2 ;
if x is in [-1,1]
x y

xy

tan1 x tan1 y tan1

If x > 0 , y > 0 and xy < 1

tan-1x - tan-1 y = tan-1

y
1-xy

x-

Let us take an example

Find the value of

1
1
2 tan

tan

1
3

Solution :

x y

xy

tan1 x tan1 y tan1

tan-1

-1 1

tan

+ 1/3
= /4
1-1/2x1/3

Inverse Trigonometric function

Conversion

To convert one inverse function to

other inverse function :

1. Assume given inverse function as some angle

( say )
2.

Draw a right angled triangle satisfying the angle.

Find the third un known side

3. Find the trigonometric function from the triangle in

step 2. Take its inverse and we will get = desired
inverse function

Lets take a example

The value of cot-1 3 + cosec-1 5 is
(a) /3 (b) /2

( c) /4

(d) none

Step 1
Assume given inverse function as some
angle ( say )

Let cot-1 3 + cosec-1 5 = x + y,

Where x = cot-13 ; cot x = 3 and
y = cosec-1 5 ; cosec y = 5

The value of cot-1 3 + cosec-1 5 is

(a) /3 (b) /2

( c) /4

(d) none

Step 2
Draw a right angled triangle satisfying the
angle. Find the third unknown side
10

x
3
5

cot x = 3 , tan x = 1/3

cosec y = 5 , tan y = 1/2

The value of cot-1 3 + cosec-1 5 is

(a) /3 (b) /2

( c) /4

(d) none

tan x = 1/3 ,tan y = 1/2

Step 3

Find the trigonometric function from the

triangle in step 2. Take its inverse and we will
get = desired inverse function

1
1

3
2

tan( x y)

1
1

3 2

tan ( x+ y) = 1
x + y = /4

tan( x y) tan x tan y

1 tan x tan y