Lesson 4.7.

Inverse Trigonometric
Functions.
Previously you have learned

To find an inverse of a function, let every x

be y and every y be x, then
equation for y.

solve the

Inverse function notation f(x)

For a function to have an inverse it has to be
one-to-one. One x for one
y value, and
one y for one x value. It will pass the vertical
and the
horizontal line test.

Two inverse functions on the graph reflect

over y=x

Sometimes you just dont have a nice or convenient

algebraic process that will give you an inverse
function. Many functions need a special, new rule
for their inverse. Some examples of these functions
are:

FINDING INVERSE OF A TRIG FUNCTION :

Given f(x) = sin (x)

change f(x)

y = sin (x)
x = sin (y)
y = arcsin (x)

for y

switch xs and ys
solve for y

f(x) = arcsin (x)

write using function notation

f(x) = sin(x)
Inverse Trigonometric function notation:

Inverse arcsin
sine x

or

sin 1 x

Inverse cosine
arccos x

or

cos 1 x

Inverse tangent
arctan x

or

tan 1 x

FINDING INVERSE OF A TRIG FUNCTION

ALGEBRAICALLY :

Given y = sin (x)

- = sin ( -/6)
(-/6) = sin (- )

values
(-/6) = arcsin ( - )
(-/6) = sin( - )
/6)

sin (-/6) = -
switch x and y
solve for y
sin( - ) = (-

How does this look on the graph ??

Graphing Inverse Trigonometric

functions:

The graph of y = sin x

D: all reals

R: [-1,1]

Period: 2

Y-int.(0,0)

- this function is not one-to-one ( different x values yield the

same y)
- with domain restricted to [-/2 ; /2] y = sin x is one-to
one
- therefore, we can use this piece to finds its inverse

Using the domain restricted to [-/2 ; /2] lets graph y

= arcsin x
Remember that y = arcsin x
is equivalent to
X y=x
sin
y-values of sin x
y=
arcsin x
x values of sin
x

Graphs of inverse functions

The graph of y = arc sin x

[1,1]

Domain:

Range
: 2 2

NEXT ON THE LIST

ARCCOSINE
Sketch the common curve of y = cos
x
Select interval of the cosine that will
be one-to-one
Sketch the graph of arccosine

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
y = cos(x)

and 1,1 ,

1,1

and 0 , .

y = arccos(x)

0,

Graphs of inverse functions

The graph of y = arccos x

[1,1]

Domain:

[0, ]

Range:

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
2 , 2 .
tangent that generates the arctan is
y
y
y=arctan(x)

y=tan(x

D , and R ,
2 2

D , and R ,
2 2

Graphs of inverse functions

The graph of y = arctan x
Domain(: , )

:
Range
,

2 2

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( arctan(

)
x)
x)
Domain 1 x 1 1 x 1 x
Range

x
x
0 x
2
2
2
2
2

When x<0, y=arcsin(x) will be in which quadrant?

y<0 in
IV
When x<0, y=arccos(x) will be in which quadrant?
y>0 in II
y<0 in
When x<0, y=arctan(x) will be in which quadrant?
IV

Evaluating
Inverse Trigonometric
When evaluating inverse trigonometric functions, you are looking for the
Functions
algebraically.
angle whose (insert:
sin, cos, or tan) is x. Also, keep in mind the
domain and range of each function.

Find the exact valuearcsin

for

Solution:
3
For what value of x is sin2(x) =
?
3
Sin ( /3) =
therefore 3

2

arcsin

Evaluating Inverse Trigonometric

Find
the exact
value for
Functions
algebraically.
Solution:
2
For what value of x is cos
(x)
=

2
Cos ( 3/4)=
2

; therefore

cos
2

3
4