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4.2: Graphing Inverse Trigonometric Functions

  • Page ID
    61258
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    Learning Objectives

    • Understand the meaning of restricted domain as it applies to the inverses of the six trigonometric functions.
    • Apply the domain, range, and quadrants of the six inverse trigonometric functions to evaluate expressions.

    we can define the inverse trigonometric functions.

    • The inverse sine function \(y={\sin}^{−1}x\) means \(x=\sin\space y\). The inverse sine function is sometimes called the arcsine function, and notated \(\arcsin\space x\).

      \(y={\sin}^{−1}x\) has domain \([−1,1]\) and range \(\left[−\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2}\right]\)

    • The inverse cosine function \(y={\cos}^{−1}x\) means \(x=\cos\space y\). The inverse cosine function is sometimes called the arccosine function, and notated \(\arccos\space x\).

      \(y={\cos}^{−1}x\) has domain \([−1,1]\) and range \([0,π]\)

    • The inverse tangent function \(y={\tan}^{−1}x\) means \(x=\tan\space y\). The inverse tangent function is sometimes called the arctangent function, and notated \(\arctan\space x\).

      \(y={\tan}^{−1}x\) has domain \((−\infty,\infty)\) and range \(\left(−\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\)

    The graphs of the inverse functions are shown in Figures \(\PageIndex{1}\) - \(\PageIndex{3}\). Notice that the output of each of these inverse functions is a number, an angle in radian measure. We see that \({\sin}^{−1}x\) has domain \([ −1,1 ]\) and range \(\left[ −\dfrac{\pi}{2},\dfrac{\pi}{2} \right]\), \({\cos}^{−1}x\) has domain \([ −1,1 ]\) and range \([0,\pi]\), and \({\tan}^{−1}x\) has domain of all real numbers and range \(\left(−\dfrac{\pi}{2},\dfrac{\pi}{2}\right)\). To find the domain and range of inverse trigonometric functions, switch the domain and range of the original functions. Each graph of the inverse trigonometric function is a reflection of the graph of the original function about the line \(y=x\).

    A graph of the functions of sine of x and arc sine of x. There is a dotted line y=x between the two graphs, to show inverse nature of the two functions
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The sine function and inverse sine (or arcsine) function
    A graph of the functions of cosine of x and arc cosine of x. There is a dotted line at y=x to show the inverse nature of the two functions.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): The cosine function and inverse cosine (or arccosine) function
    A graph of the functions of tangent of x and arc tangent of x. There is a dotted line at y=x to show the inverse nature of the two functions.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): The tangent function and inverse tangent (or arctangent) function

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    RELATIONS FOR INVERSE SINE, COSINE, AND TANGENT FUNCTIONS

    For angles in the interval \(\left[ −\dfrac{\pi}{2},\dfrac{\pi}{2} \right]\), if \(\sin y=x\), then \({\sin}^{−1}x=y\).

    For angles in the interval \([ 0,\pi ]\), if \(\cos y=x\), then \({\cos}^{−1}x=y\).

    For angles in the interval \(\left(−\dfrac{\pi}{2},\dfrac{\pi}{2}\right )\), if \(\tan y=x\),then \({\tan}^{−1}x=y\).

    RELATIONS FOR INVERSE SINE, COSINE, AND TANGENT FUNCTIONS

    Contributors and Attributions


    This page titled 4.2: Graphing Inverse Trigonometric Functions is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by CK-12 Foundation.

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