MATH04

Pre-Calculus
Course Outcome 4
Lesson 1: Inverse Trigonometric Functions

shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

If 𝑓 is a 𝑜𝑛𝑒 − 𝑡𝑜 − 𝑜𝑛𝑒 function with domain 𝑨 and range 𝑩, then its

inverse 𝑓 −1 is the function with domain 𝑩 and range 𝑨 defined by

𝑓 −1 𝑥 𝑓 𝑦 =𝑥

shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

For a function to have an inverse, it must be one-to-one. Since the

trigonometric functions are not one-to-one, they do not have inverses.
It is possible, however, to restrict the domains of the trigonometric
functions in such a way that the resulting functions are one-to-one.

shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE SINE FUNCTION and ITS GRAPH
𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = sin−1 x 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 x = sin y, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 − 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − ≤ 𝑦 ≤ .
2 2
y y

1 • 2

o x o x
−    −1 1
−
2 2
 y = sin-1 x
• −1
y = sin x −
2

   D : − 1 , 1
D : − , 
 2 2   
R : − , 
R : − 1 , 1  2 2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
 INVERSE COSINE FUNCTION and ITS GRAPH
𝑦 = cos −1 x 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = cos y, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 − 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝜋.
y y

1• 


o x 2
−    2
−
2 2
−1 • x
−1 o
y = cos x 1

y = cos-1 x
D : 0 ,   D : − 1 , 1
R : - 1, 1 
R :  0,  

shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE TANGENT FUNCTION and ITS GRAPH
𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = tan−1 x 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = tan y, where − ∞ < 𝑥 < ∞ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − <𝑦< .
2 2
y
y
1 
2

o x x
−    −1 1
−
2 2 
−
−1 y = tan x 2 o
D : (−  , +  )
   y = tan-1 x
D : − , 
 2 2   
R : − , 
R : (−  , +  )  2 2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE COTANGENT FUNCTION and ITS
GRAPH
• 𝑦 = cot −1 x 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = cot y, where − ∞ < 𝑥 < ∞ and 0 < 𝑦 < 𝜋.
y
y

1

2

o x
−    x
− −1 o 1
2 2
y = cot x −1 y = cot-1 x

D : (−  , +  )
D : (0 ,  )
R : (0 ,  )
R : (−  , +  )

shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE SECANT FUNCTION and ITS GRAPH
𝜋
𝑦 = sec −1 x 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = sec y, where x ≤ −1 or x ≥ 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝜋, y≠
2
y y


1• 
2
o x
  3 2
−1 2 • 2 o x
y = sec x −1 1

y = sec-1 x
     D : (−  , - 1  1 , +  )
D : 0 ,    ,  
 2 2      
R : 0 ,    ,  
R : (−  , - 1  1 , +  )  2 2 
shs.mapua.edu.ph
INVERSE COSECANT FUNCTION and ITS
GRAPH
𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = csc −1 x 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = csc y, where x ≤ −1 or x ≥ 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − ≤ 𝑦 ≤ , y ≠ 0.
2 2
y y

2
1 •
x o x
−  o   −1 1
−
•2 −1 2 
−
2
y = csc x
y = csc-1 x
    
D : − , 0    0 ,  D : (−  , - 1  1 , +  )
 2   2     
R : − , 0    0 , 
R : (−  , - 1  1 , +  )  2   2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
DOMAIN AND RANGE OF INVERSE FUNCTIONS
Inverse Function Domain Range
𝜋 𝜋
y = sin –1 x [– 1, 1] – ,
2 2
y = cos –1 x [– 1, 1] [0, 𝜋]
𝜋 𝜋
y = tan –1 x −∞, ∞ – ,
2 2
y = cot –1 x −∞, ∞ (0, 𝜋)
𝜋 𝜋
y = sec –1 x −∞, −1 U 1, ∞ 0, 𝑈 ,𝜋
2 2
𝜋 𝜋
y = csc –1 x −∞, −1 U 1, ∞ – , 0 𝑈 0,
2 2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluating Inverse Trigonometric Functions.
When evaluating the inverse trigonometric function, we are looking for
an angle in which the when we evaluate the trigonometric function of
that angle, the result is x. But that angle must be included in the range
of the inverse trigonometric function.
For instance, when evaluating the inverse sine function, it helps to
remember the phrase “the arcsine of x is the angle (or number) whose
sine is x.”
1
Example: sin−1 =?
2
𝜋 1
Since, sin =
6 2
1 𝜋
Hence, sin−1 =
2 6

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluating Inverse Trigonometric Functions.
In order to help us easily evaluate
inverse trigonometric functions,
especially for values associated with
special angles and quadrantal angles,
we can refer to the image on the left
as a guide.
−1 1
Example: cos =?
2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluating Inverse Trigonometric Functions.
In order to help us easily evaluate
inverse trigonometric functions,
especially for values associated with
special angles and quadrantal angles,
we can refer to the image on the left
as a guide.
−1 1
Example: cos =?
2
𝜃 = 𝟔𝟎° 𝑎𝑛𝑑 300°

Primary Solution

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Recall: Trigonometric Functions for Special
Angles
𝜃 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 tan 𝜃 csc 𝜃 sec 𝜃 c𝑜𝑡 𝜃
1 3 3 2 3
30° 2 3
2 2 3 3
2 2
45° 1 2 2 1
2 2
3 1 2 3 3
60° 3 2
2 2 3 3

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Expanded Table for Special and Quadrantal Angles

shs.mapua.edu.ph
 Examples
Evaluate the following

3
1. cos −1
2

2. tan−1 1

3. csc −1 2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
 Examples
Evaluate the following

3 𝝅 11𝜋
1. cos −1 = and
2 𝟔 6

𝝅 5𝜋
2. tan−1 1 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝟒 4

−1 𝝅 5𝜋
3. csc 2 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝟒 4

shs.mapua.edu.ph
 Examples
Evaluate the following

5
1. sin−1
5

2. cot −1 − 3

3. sec −1 6

shs.mapua.edu.ph
 Examples
Evaluate the following

5
1. sin−1 ≈ 26.57°
5

2. cot −1 − 3 = −30°*

3. sec −1 6 ≈ 65.91°

*Calculator solution

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Compositions of Functions
We have known that for all x in the domains of f and f –1, inverse
functions have the properties
𝑓 (𝑓 −1 (𝑥)) = 𝑥 and 𝑓 −1 (𝑓 (𝑥)) = 𝑥.

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Compositions of Functions
Keep in mind that these inverse properties do not apply for arbitrary values
of x and y. For instance,

In other words, the property

arcsin(sin 𝑦) = 𝑦

is not valid for values of y outside the interval [–2, 2].

shs.mapua.edu.ph
If possible, find the exact value.

−𝟏 𝟓𝝅
a. tan[arctan(– 5)] b.𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒏
𝟑

c. cos(cos −1  )

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Solution:
a. Because –5 lies in the domain of the arctangent function,
the inverse property applies, and you have

tan[arctan(– 5)] = – 5

shs.mapua.edu.ph
b. In this case, 5 3 does not lie within the range of the
arcsine function, – 2  y   2. However, 5 3 is cont’d

coterminal with

which does lie in the range of the arcsine function, and

you have

c. The expression cos(cos–1) is not defined because

cos–1 is not defined. Remember that the domain of the
inverse cosine function is [–1, 1].

shs.mapua.edu.ph
If possible, find the exact value.

1 −1 2𝜋
a. tan arcsin b. cot csc
2 3

c. sec(cos −1 3)

shs.mapua.edu.ph
If possible, find the exact value.

1 −1 2𝜋
a. tan arcsin b. cot csc
2 3
−1 2 3
= tan 30° = cot
3
3
= = 40.91°
3

c. sec(cos −1 3)
Since 3 is not included in the domain of y = cos −1 𝑥, the value of
this expression does not exist.

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluate the given in terms of u

a. tan[arcsin 𝑢 ]

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluate the given in terms of the given variable.

a. tan arcsin 𝑢 = tan 𝜃

Let arcsin 𝑢 = 𝜃
𝑦 𝑢
sin 𝜃 = = 𝑢 =
𝑟 1
Hence, 𝑦 = 𝑢, 𝑟 = 1
Solve for x
𝑥 = 𝑟 2 − 𝑦 2 = 1 − 𝑢2
Next, solve for tan 𝜃
𝑦 𝑢
tan 𝜃 = =
𝑥 1 − 𝑢2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluate the given in terms of the given variable

−1 𝑣
b. csc cos
9+𝑣 2

shs.mapua.edu.ph
Evaluate the given in terms of u

−1 𝑣
b. csc cos = csc 𝜃
9+𝑣 2
−1 𝑣
Let cos =𝜃
9+𝑣 2
𝑥 𝑣
cos 𝜃 = =
𝑟 9+𝑣 2
Hence, x = 𝑣, 𝑟 = 9 + 𝑣 2
Solve for y
2
y= 𝑟2 − 𝑥2 = 9+ 𝑣2 − 𝑣2 = 9 + 𝑣2 − 𝑣2 = 9 = 3
Next, solve for csc 𝜃
𝑟 9 + 𝑣2
csc 𝜃 = =
𝑦 3 shs.mapua.edu.ph
shs.mapua.edu.ph