DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

MODULE 4

DIFFERENTIATION OF
TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

The differentiation formulas for algebraic forms are all devised for all types of
functions. This time, we shall discuss the differentiation of trigonometric functions that all
take the nine algebraic forms. We have six trigonometric functions namely sine, cosine,
tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant derived from the right triangle.

RECALL:
Where: The vertices of the triangle are A, B, and C.
The sides opposite A, B, and C are a, b, and c,
respectively, where c is the hypotenuse
and the longest leg of the triangle.
The angles inside the triangle can be named after the vertices, therefore, A, B, and
C are the interior angles of the triangle where C = 90°.
Also, A+B+C = 180°, B = 90° – A, and A = 90° – B. Since the sum of A and B is
90°, then they are complementary.
The Pythagorean Theorem created by Pythagoras relates the three sides of any right
triangle.

THEOREM: a2 + b2 = c2

Solving for c: c = √a2 +b2

Solving for a: a = √c2 − b2

Solving for a: b = √c2 − a2

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The Six Trigonometric Functions
As mentioned above, the six trigonometric functions all came from the right triangle.
Notation:
For sine: sin (angle) For cotangent: cot (angle)
For cosine: cos (angle) For secant: sec (angle)
For tangent: tan (angle) For cosecant: csc (angle)
Warning! “sin” not “SIN,” “SiN”. “csc” not “css”. The symbols are lowercased and
abbreviated. Higit sa lahat, palaging mayroon laging “laman” na angle ang trigonometric
functions. Kung ang isusulat mo “cos” lang, cosine of what? Kung “sin” lang, sine of what?
This common error is very inevitable so be careful in using trigonometric functions.

Definition: Recall the mnemonic SOHCAHTOA

opposite side to the angle adjacent side to the angle
sin (angle) = cot (angle) =
hypotenuse opposite side to the angle
adjacent side to the angle hypotenuse
cos (angle) = sec (angle) = adjacent side to the angle
hypotenuse
opposite side to the angle hypotenuse
tan (angle) = csc (angle) = opposite side to the angle
adjacent side to the angle

Using the definition above, let us obtain the trigonometric functions of acute angles A and
B of the right triangle ABC. C is not included since it is not acute.

For angle A For angle B

opposite side to A 𝑎 opposite side to B 𝑏
sin A = = sin B = =
hypotenuse 𝑐 hypotenuse 𝑐
adjacent side to A 𝑏 adjacent side to B 𝑎
cos A = = cos B = =
hypotenuse 𝑐 hypotenuse 𝑐
opposite side to A 𝑎 opposite side to B 𝑏
tan A = =𝑏 tan B = =𝑎
adjacent side to A adjacent side to B
adjacent side to A 𝑏 adjacent side to B 𝑎
cot A = =𝑎 cot B = =𝑏
opposite side to A opposite side to B
hypotenuse 𝑐 hypotenuse 𝑐
sec A = =𝑏 sec B = adjacent side to B = 𝑎
adjacent side to A
hypotenuse 𝑐 hypotenuse 𝑐
csc A = opposite side to A = 𝑎 csc B = opposite side to B = 𝑏

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The following identities are listed here for your easy reference. Note that when you say
“identity,” the equation will be true in whatever possible values you substitute to the
variable.

I. Co-function Identities
Since A and B are complementary, notice that sin A = cos B, tan A = cot B, and
sec A = csc B. Cosine, cotangent, and cosecant all have the prefix “co-” because they are
co-functions of sine, tangent, and secant.
A + B = 90° ; B = 90° – A
sin A = cos (90° – A) cot A = tan (90° – A)
cos A = sin (90° – A) sec A = csc (90° – A)
tan A = cot (90° – A) csc A = sec (90° – A)
II. Ratio Identities
sin A
tan A = where cos A ≠ 0
cos A
cos A
cot A = where sin A ≠ 0
sin A
III. Reciprocal Identities
1
sec A = cos A where cos A ≠ 0
1
csc A = where sin A ≠ 0
sin A
1
cot A = where tan A ≠ 0
tan A
IV. Pythagorean Identities

cos2A + sin2A = 1

1 + tan2A = sec2A

1 + cot2A = csc2A

V. Negative Argument
sin (-A) = - sin A cot (-A) = - cot A
cos (-A) = cos A sec (-A) = sec A
tan (-A) = - tan A csc (-A) = - csc A

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Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
Let u be a differentiable function of x
d du
I. (sin u) = cos u ∙
dx dx
d du
II. (cos u) = - sin u ∙
dx dx
d du
III. (tan u) = sec2u ∙
dx dx
d du
IV. (cot u) = - csc2u ∙
dx dx
d du
V. (sec u) = sec u tan u ∙
dx dx
d du
VI. (csc u) = - csc u cot u ∙
dx dx

EXAMPLES: Find y’.

1. y = 2x + sin 2x →u+v
dx d
∴ y’ = 2 + (sin 2x)
dx dx
d
= 2 + cos 2x ∙ (2x)
dx
= 2 + cos 2x ∙ 2
= 2 + 2 cos 2x Ans.
du
Another common error is that dx is multiplied to u which is definitely wrong. You cannot

multiply anything on the angle inside trigonometric functions because they are “protected
inside.”
e.g. sin (2x – 1) ∙ 2 ≠ sin (4x – 2) at mas lalong hindi equal sa sin 2x – sin 1. Sine
and any trigonometric function is NEVER distributive to the angle inside them.
sin (A+B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B never sin A + sin B
cos (A+B) = cos A cos B – sin A sin B never cos A + cos B

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2. f(x) = sin 9x2

Note that the power 2 is for x only that is in the angle. This is never the same as

(sin 9x)2.
d
∴ f’(x) = (sin 9x2) where u = 9x2
dx
d
= cos 9x2 ∙ (9x2)
dx

= cos 9x2 ∙ 18x

= 18x cos 9x2 Ans.

3. y = sin65x4 = (sin 5x4)6 → un where u = sin 5x4

d
∴ y’ = (sin 5x4)6
dx
d du
= 6 (sin 5x4)5 (sin 5x4) → nun-1
dx dx
d
= 6 sin55x4 ∙ cos 5x4 ∙ (5x4)
dx

= 6 sin55x4 cos 5x4 ∙ 20x3

= 120x3 sin55x4 cos 5x4 Ans.

4. y = 2x cos 2x → u ∙ v where u = x and v = cos 2x, the coefficient 2 can be moved

across the differentiation operator since it is a constant.
d d dv du
∴ y’ = 2 [ x (cos 2x) + cos 2x ∙ (2x) ] → u +v
dx dx dx dx
d
= 2 [ x (-sin 2x) ∙ (2x) + cos 2x ∙ 2 ]
dx
= 2 [ -x sin 2x ∙ 2 + 2 cos 2x ]
= 2 (-2x sin 2x + 2 cos 2x)
= 4 (cos 2x – x sin 2x) Ans.

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5. y = cos (1 – x)
d
∴ y’ = [cos (1 – x)]
dx
d
= -sin (1 – x) ∙ (1 – x)
dx
= -sin (1 – x) (0 – 1)
= sin (1 – x) Ans.

6. y = 3 (1 + tan 3x)5 → un

d
∴ y’ = 3 (1 + tan 3x)5
dx
d du
= 3 ∙ 5 (1 + tan 3x)4 (1 + tan 3x) → nun-1
dx dx
d d
= 3 ∙ 5 (1 + tan 3x)4 [ (1) + (tan 3x)] grouping symbols!
dx dx
d
= 15 (1 + tan 3x)4 [0 + sec23x ∙ (3x)]
dx

= 15 (1 + tan 3x)4 (3 sec23x)

= 45 sec23x (1 + tan 3x)4 Ans.

7. y = x2 cot x2 →u∙v

Let u = x2 v = cot x2
d
u' = 2x v’ = -csc2x2 ∙ (x2) = -2x csc2x2
dx

∴ y’ = uv’ + vu’

= x2 (-2x csc2x2) + cot x2 ∙ 2x

= -2x3 csc2x2 + 2x cot x2 Ans.

8. y = sec (5x – 1) → u = 5x – 1
d
∴ y’ = sec (5x – 1) tan (5x – 1) (5x – 1)
dx
= sec (5x – 1) tan (5x – 1) ∙ 5 = 5 sec (5x – 1) tan (5x – 1) Ans.

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9. y = √csc 5x → √𝑢
1 d
∴ y’ = ∙ (csc 5x)
2√csc 5x dx

1 d
= ∙ (-csc 5x cot 5x) dx (5x)
2√csc 5x
-5 csc 5x cot 5x
=
2√csc 5x
-5 csc 5x cot 5x
= 1
2 (csc 5x)2
-5 -5
= csc1/25x cot 5x or √csc 5x cot 5x Ans.
2 2

10. y = sin x cos x → u ∙ v

d d
∴ y’ = sin x ∙ (cos x) + cos x ∙ (sin x)
dx dx
= sin x (-sin x) + cos x (cos x)

= - sin2x + cos2x Ans

11. xy = cos xy → implicit

d d
(xy) = (cos xy)
dx dx
d
xy' + y = -sin xy ∙ (xy)
dx
xy’ + y = - sin xy (xy’ + y)
xy’ + y = -xy’ sin xy – y sin xy
xy’ + xy’ sin xy = -y sin xy – y
y’ (x + x sin xy) = -y(1 + sin xy)
-y (1 + sin xy)
y’ =
x(1 + sin xy)
y
∴ y’ = − x Ans.

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12. tan x2 + tan y2 = x2 + y2
d d d d
(tan x2) + (tan y2) = (x2) + (y2)
dx dx dx dx
d d
sec2x2 (x2) + sec2y2 (y2) = 2x + 2yy’
dx dx

2x sec2x2 + 2yy’ sec2y2 = 2x + 2yy’

x sec2x2 + yy’ sec2y2 = x + yy’

yy’ sec2y2 – yy’ = x – x sec2x2

y’ (y sec2y2 – y) = x (1 – sec2y2)
x (1 – sec2y2) x
y’ = =− Ans (Bring out -1 in 1 – sec2y2)
y (sec2y2 – 1) y

13. sec x + csc y = 12ax + b

d d d d
(sec x) + (csc y) = (12ax) + (b)
dx dx dx dx
d
sec x tan x – csc y cot y (y) = 12a
dx
sec x tan x – y’ csc y cot y = 12a
- y’ csc y cot y = 12a – sec x tan x
12a − sec x tan x
∴ y’ = − Ans
csc y cot y

14. tan (x + y) = 2x + 2y
d d d
[ tan (x + y)] = 2 (x) + 2 (y)
dx dx dx
d
sec2(x + y) (x + y) = 2 + 2y’
dx

sec2(x + y) (1 + y’) = 2 + 2y’

sec2(x + y) + y’ sec2(x + y) = 2 + 2y’

y’ sec2(x + y) – 2y’ = 2 – sec2(x + y)

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 y’ [sec2(x + y) – 2] = 2 – sec2(x + y)

2 – sec2(x + y) – [sec2(x + y) – 2]
y’ = = = -1 Ans
sec2 (x + y) – 2 sec2 (x + y) – 2

15. x = tan3v ; y = cos5v

d d d d
(x) = (tan v)3 ; (y) = (cos v)5
dv dv dv dv

dx d dy d
= 3 (tan v)2 (tan v) ; = 5 (cos v)4 (cos v)
dv dv dv dv

d d
= 3 tan2v sec2v (v) ; = 5 cos4v (-sin v) (v)
dv dv

= 3 tan2v sec2v ; = -5 cos4v sin v

dy
dv
∴ y’ = dx
dv
4
-5 cos v sin v
= 2 2 Simplify ratio and reciprocal identities.
3 tan v sec v

5
= − 3 cos4v sin v cot2v cos2v

5 6
cos2 v
= − 3 cos v sin v ∙
sin2 v

5
= − 3 cos7v cot v Ans.

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Usual hazards in trigonometry: DO NOT DO THESE!
Here are some of the mistakes usually done by students in calculus and trigonometry.

1. sin ( A + B ) = sin A + sin B

2. sin 5x = sin 5 ∙ sin x
3. sin A + cos B = (sin + cos) (A + B) → Mali agad. “sin” and “cos” on
the right side make no sense at all.
4. 2 ∙ cos 4x = cos 8x → You can’t change the angle inside unless you
use appropriate identities. Kahit isang milyon pa imultiply mo dyan,
the angle will remain fixed and untouched.

5. tan x2 = tan2x → Magkaiba yan.

sin 𝑥 𝑥
6. = sin → NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
sin 𝑦 𝑦

7. tan xy = tan x tan y

8. csc √𝑥 = √csc 𝑥
cos 𝑥
9. = cos → Can you not?
𝑥

10. sec x – 2 = sec (x – 2) Magkaiba yan! Grouping symbols‼

11. tan 2z = 2 tan z

And last but not the least,

1+sin 𝑥
= 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑥 = 1 + 6 = 7 → Patay tayo dyan, naloko na!
𝑛

Dear students,

Doing a mistake is fine, if done the first time. But if for the nth time, you should
learn how to obey. Math is all about obedience to the rules. Breaking the rules is not
allowed in math, so is being REBELLIOUS.

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Exercise 4.1

Name:________________________________________ Date: ________________________

CYS: _________________________________________

I. Given the right triangle ABC, find the trigonometric functions of A and B if
a = 2 and b = 4.

II. Find y’.

1. y = 5x4 – cos 5x4

2. y = tan (2x4 + 3x)

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions | Page 11 of 12

3. y = (sin2x + cos2x)6

1
4. m = sin
n2

5. 5x – 5y = 5 sin ( x – y )

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