Inverse Trig Functions

By
Richard Gill
Supported in Part by a Grant from
VCCS LearningWare
Let us begin with a simple question:
x x f
x x f
=
=

) (
) (
1
2
What is the first pair of inverse functions that pop into
YOUR mind?
This may not be your pair but this
is a famous pair. But something is
not quite right with this pair. Do
you know what is wrong?
Congratulations if you guessed that the top function does
not really have an inverse because it is not 1-1 and
therefore, the graph will not pass the horizontal line test.
Consider the graph of
.
2
x y =
2.0 2.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
x
y
Note the two points
on the graph and
also on the line y=4.
f(2) = 4 and f(-2) = 4
so what is an inverse
function supposed to
do with 4?
? 2 ) 4 ( 2 ) 4 (
1 1
= =

f or f
By definition, a function cannot generate two different outputs
for the same input, so the sad truth is that this function, as is,
does not have an inverse.
So how is it that we arrange for this function to have an
inverse?
We consider only one half of
the graph: x > 0.
The graph now passes the
horizontal line test and we
do have an inverse:
x x f
x f or x x f
=
> =

) (
0 ) (
1
2
Note how each graph reflects across the line y = x onto its
inverse.
x y =
2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
x
4
y=x
2
x y =
2
A similar restriction on the domain is necessary to create
an inverse function for each trig function.
Consider the sine function.
You can see right away
that the sine function
does not pass the
horizontal line test.
But we can come up with
a valid inverse function if
we restrict the domain as
we did with the previous
function.
How would YOU restrict the domain?
t 2t/3 t/3 t/3 2t/3 t 4t/3 5t/3 2t
1.0
1.0
x
y
y = sin(x)
y = 1/2
Take a look at the piece of the graph in the red frame.
t 2t/3 t/3 t/3 2t/3 t 4t/3 5t/3 2t
1.0
1.0
x
y
We are going to build
the inverse function
from this section of the
sine curve because:
This section picks up
all the outputs of the
sine from 1 to 1.
This section includes
the origin. Quadrant I
angles generate the
positive ratios and
negative angles in
Quadrant IV generate
the negative ratios.
Lets zoom in and look at some
key points in this section.
t/2 t/3 t/6 t/6 t/3 t/2
1.0
1.0
x
y
y = sin(x)
1
2
2
3
3
2
2
4
2
1
6
0 0
2
1
6
2
2
4
2
3
3
1
2
) (
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t




x f x
I have plotted the special angles on the curve and the table.
2
1
3 2
3
4 2
2
6 2
1
0 0
6 2
1
4 2
2
3 2
3
2
1
) ( sin
1
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t

x x
The new table generates the graph of the inverse.
1
2
2
3
3
2
2
4
2
1
6
0 0
2
1
6
2
2
4
2
3
3
1
2
) sin(
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t




x x
To get a good
look at the
graph of the
inverse
function, we
will turn the
tables on the
sine function.
The domain of
the chosen
section of the
sine is
So the range
of the arcsin is
(

2
,
2
t t
(

2
,
2
t t
The range of the
chosen section
of the sine is
[-1 ,1] so the
domain of the
arcsin is [-1, 1].
Note how each point on the original graph gets reflected onto
the graph of the inverse.
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
2
, 1 1 ,
2
t t
to
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
3
,
2
3
2
3
,
3
t t
to
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
4
,
2
2
2
2
,
4
t t
to
etc.
You will see the
inverse listed as
both:
) ( sin ) arcsin(
1
x and x

1.0 1.0
1.0
1.0
x
y
y = arcsin(x)
y = sin(x)
In the tradition of inverse functions then we have:
3 2
3
sin
3 2
3
arcsin
2
3
3
sin
2
) 1 ( sin
2
) 1 arcsin( 1
2
sin
1
1
t t t
t t t
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
= = =
|
.
|

\
|

or
or
The thing to remember is that for the trig function the input is
the angle and the output is the ratio, but for the inverse trig
function the input is the ratio and the output is the angle.
Unless you are
instructed to use
degrees, you
should assume
that inverse trig
functions will
generate outputs
of real numbers
(in radians).
The other inverse trig functions are generated by using
similar restrictions on the domain of the trig function.
Consider the cosine function:
t 2t/3 t/3 t/3 2t/3 t 4t/3 5t/3 2t
1.0
1.0
x
y
y = cos(x)
What do you
think would be a
good domain
restriction for
the cosine?
Congratulations if
you realized that
the restriction we
used on the sine is
not going to work
on the cosine.
t 2t/3 t/3 t/3 2t/3 t 4t/3 5t/3 2t
1.0
1.0
x
y
y = cos(x)
The chosen section for the cosine is in the red frame. This
section includes all outputs from 1 to 1 and all inputs in the first
and second quadrants.
Since the domain and range for the section are the
domain and range for the inverse cosine are
| | | |, 1 , 1 , 0 and t
| | | |. , 0 1 , 1 t and
1.0 1.0
t/6
t/3
t/2
2t/3
5t/6
t
x
y
y = arccos(x)
t/2 t/4 t/4 t/2
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
x
y
4.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 6.0
t/2
t/4
t/4
t/2
x
y
The other trig functions require similar restrictions on their
domains in order to generate an inverse.
Like the sine function, the domain of the section of the
tangent that generates the arctan is
.
2
,
2
(

t t
( ) =
|
.
|

\
|
= ,
2
,
2
R and D
t t ( )
|
.
|

\
|
= =
2
,
2
,
t t
R and D
y=tan(x)
y=arctan(x)
The table below will summarize the parameters we have so far.
Remember, the angle is the input for a trig function and the
ratio is the output. For the inverse trig functions the ratio is the
input and the angle is the output.
arcsin(x) arccos(x) arctan(x)
Domain
Range
1 1 s s x 1 1 s s x
s s x
2 2
t t
s s x
2
0
t
s s x
2 2
t t
s s x
When x<0, y=arccos(x) will be in which quadrant?
When x<0, y=arcsin(x) will be in which quadrant?
When x<0, y=arctan(x) will be in which quadrant?
y<0 in IV
y>0 in II
y<0 in IV
1
2
3

30

60

45

45
1
2
2
The graphs give you the big picture concerning the behavior
of the inverse trig functions. Calculators are helpful with
calculations (later for that). But special triangles can be very
helpful with respect to the basics.
Use the special triangles above to answer the following. Try to
figure it out yourself before you click.
=
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

) 2 ( csc
2
3
arccos
1
( )
( ) 2 1 / 2 30 csc
6
30
2
3
30 cos
6
30
= =
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|


because or
because or
t
t
1
2
3

30

60

45

45
1
2
2
OK, lets try a few more. Try them before you peek.
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
=
|
.
|

\
|

2
1
arcsin
) 3 ( tan
2
1
arcsin
1
( )
2
1
45 sin )
4
( 45
3
1
3
60 tan )
3
( 60
2
1
45 sin )
4
( 45

= =
=



because or
because or
because or
t
t
t
1
2
3

30

60
Negative inputs for the arccos can be a little tricky.
u =
|
.
|

\
|

2
1
arccos
From the triangle you can see that arccos(1/2) = 60 degrees. But
negative inputs for the arccos generate angles in Quadrant II so
we have to use 60 degrees as a reference angle in the second
quadrant.
( )
2
1
120 cos :
120 60 180

= =
= =
r
x
check to


u

60
y
u
x
-1
2
3
You should be able to do inverse trig calculations without a
calculator when special angles from the special triangles are
involved. You should also be able to do inverse trig
calculations without a calculator for quadrantal angles.
Its not that bad. Quadrantal angles
are the angles between the
quadrantsangles like

180 , 90
2
, 0 0 , 90
2
or or or or t
t t

To solve arccos(-1) for example, you
could draw a quick sketch of the
cosine section:
t 2t/3 t/3 t/3 2t/3 t 4t/3 5t/3 2t
1.0
1.0
x
y
y = cos(x)
And observe that arccos(-1) = t
( ) 1 , t
But a lot of people feel comfortable using the following
sketch and the definitions of the trig ratios.
For arccos(-1) for example,
you can observe that, since
the point (-1, 0) is
the one we want. That point is
on the terminal side of
r
x
= u cos
. t u =
Or for arccot(0), you can observe that,
since the point (0, 1)
is the one we want. That point is on
the terminal side of 90 degrees.
( )
y
x
= u cot
. ) 1 arccos(
, 1
1
1
) cos(
t
t
=
=

= =
r
x
So, since
x
y
(0, 1)
(1, 0)
(-1, 0)
(-1, 0)
r = 1
. 90

= So, arccot(0)
Good luck getting
that answer off of a
calculator.
Finally, we encounter the composition of trig functions with
inverse trig functions. The following are pretty straightforward
compositions. Try them yourself before you click to the
answer.
?
2
3
sin sin
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

u
First, what do we know about ? u
We know that is an angle whose sine is
u
.
2
3
so
2
3
sin
2
3
sin sin
1

= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

u
Did you suspect from the beginning that this was the answer
because that is the way inverse functions are SUPPOSED to
behave? If so, good instincts but.
Consider a slightly different setup:
( ) ( ) =

120 sin arcsin

This is also the
composition of two inverse
functions but
. 60
2
3
arcsin

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
Did you suspect the answer was going to be 120 degrees?
This problem behaved differently because the first angle,
120 degrees, was outside the range of the arcsin. So use
some caution when evaluating the composition of inverse
trig functions.
The remainder of this presentation consists of practice
problems, their answers and a few complete solutions.
First, some calculator problems. On most calculators, you
access the inverse trig functions by using the 2
nd
function
option on the corresponding trig functions. The mode button
allows you to choose whether your work will be in degrees or
in radians.
You have to stay on top of this because the answer is not in
a format that tells you which mode you are in.
Answers and selected complete solutions can be found
after the exercises.
Find the exact
value of each
expression
without using
a calculator.
When your
answer is an
angle, express
it in radians.
Work out the
answers
yourself before
you click.
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

2
3
cos . 9
1 sin . 8
3 arctan . 7
2
1
cos . 6
0 arcsin . 5
3
1
arctan . 4
1 tan . 3
1 arccos . 2
2
1
sin . 1
1
1
1
1
1
( )
( ) ( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|

2
1
cos sin . 16
3
cos arccos . 15
2
1
arccos tan . 14
270 sin arcsin . 13
2
sin arcsin . 12
2
1
arccos . 11
2 sec . 10
1
1
t
t

Use a calculator. For 17-20,

round to the nearest tenth of a
degree.
) 8787 . arccos( . 20
) 1234 . arcsin( . 19
) 345 . 2 arctan( . 18
) 6666 (. cos . 17
1

Use a calculator. For 21-24,

express your answers in
radians rounded to the nearest
hundredth.
( )
( )
) 7878 arctan(. . 24
2345 . cos . 23
) 7878 arcsin(. . 22
585 . 3 tan . 21
1
1

On most calculators, you access the inverse trig functions by

using the 2
nd
function option on the corresponding trig functions.
The mode button allows you to choose whether your work will
be in degrees or in radians. You have to stay on top of this
because the answer is not in a format that tells you which mode
you are in.
Use a calculator. When your answer is an angle, express it in
radians rounded to the hundredths place. When your answer
is a ratio, round it to four decimal places, but dont round off
until the very end of the problem.
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) 2345 . arccos tan . 30
5758 . sin cos . 29
5758 . arccos cos . 28
) 34 . 2 arctan(sin . 27
1 cos arcsin . 26
58 . 3 sin arcsin . 25
1

Answers appear in the following slides.

( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
2
1 sin . 8
3
3 arctan . 7
4
2
1
cos . 6
0 0 arcsin . 5
6
3
1
arctan . 4
4
1 tan . 3
1 arccos . 2
6 2
1
sin . 1
1
1
1
1
t
t
t
t
t
t
t

=
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
= |
.
|

\
|

=
=

=
|
.
|

\
|

6
5
2
3
cos . 9
1
t
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

Answers for problems 1 9.

Negative ratios for arccos generate
angles in Quadrant II.
y
u
x
1
2
3
The reference angle is
so the answer is
6
t
6
5
6 6
6
6
t t t t
t u = = =
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
2
3
3
2
sin
2
1
cos sin . 16
3 2
1
arccos
3
cos arccos . 15
3
3
2
tan
2
1
arccos tan . 14
2
90 1 arcsin 270 sin arcsin . 13
2 2
sin arcsin . 12
4
3
2
1
arccos . 11
3
2 / 1 cos 2 sec . 10
1
1 1
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

= = =
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|
= =

t
t t
t
t
t t
t
t

60
y
u
x
-1
2
3
14.
x
3
1
2
u
y
15.

5 . 151 ) 8787 . arccos( . 20

1 . 7 ) 1234 . arcsin( . 19
9 . 66 ) 345 . 2 arctan( . 18
2 . 48 ) 6666 (. cos . 17
1
=
=
=
=

( )
( )
67 . 0 ) 7878 arctan(. . 24
81 . 1 2345 . cos . 23
91 . 0 ) 7878 arcsin(. . 22
30 . 1 585 . 3 tan . 21
1
1
=
=
=
=

( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( ) 1455 . 4 ... 3341 . 1 tan 2345 . arccos tan . 30
8175 . 0 ... 6136 . 0 cos 5758 . sin cos . 29
5758 . 5758 . arccos cos . 28
62 . 0 ... 7184 . 0 arctan ) 34 . 2 arctan(sin . 27
57 . 0 ... 5403 . 0 arcsin 1 cos arcsin . 26
44 . 0 ... 4245 . 0 arcsin 58 . 3 sin arcsin . 25
1
= =
= =
=
= =
= =
= =

Answers for 17 30.