Inverse Trigonometric

Functions
Inverse Sine Function
Recall that for a function to have an inverse, it must be a
one-to-one function and pass the Horizontal Line Test.

f(x) = sin x does not pass the Horizontal Line Test

and must be restricted to find its inverse.

y y = sin x
1
  2
x

1

Sin x has an inverse

function on this interval.
 Angle whose sine is x

Example:
a. arcsin 1    is the angle whose sine is 1 .
2 6 6 2

b. sin 1 3  sin   3
2 3 3 2

This is another way to write arcsin x.

Inverse Cosine Function

f(x) = cos x must be restricted to find its inverse.

y
1
y = cos x
  2
x

1

Cos x has an inverse

function on this interval.
 Angle whose cosine is x

Example:
a.) arccos 1    is the angle whose cosine is 1 .
2 3 3 2
1  3  5
b.) cos     cos 5   3
 2  6 6 2

This is another way to write arccos x.

Inverse Tangent Function
f(x) = tan x must be restricted to find its inverse.
y
y = tan x

 3
2 2
x
 3 
2 2

Tan x has an inverse

function on this interval.
 Angle whose tangent is x
The domain of y = arctan x is (, ) .

Example:
a.) arctan 3    is the angle whose tangent is 3 .
6 3
3 6
b.) tan 3  
1
tan   3
3
3
This is another way to write arctan x.