Derivative of trigonometric functions

Learning objectives

To investigate the gradient of trigonometric functions sin x, cos x and tan x

To illustrate the need to work in radians

Overview
The investigation looks at the gradient of tangents to each of the basic trigonometric graphs to suggest
the form of the gradient function. This is followed by looking numerically at the gradient of chords as the
chords shorten leading to differentiation from first principles for trigonometric functions.
Context
This follows from differentiation of polynomials and work on differentiation from first principles for
polynomials. It assumes a general understanding of a gradient function. The quotient rule is used in the
proof of the result for tan x . This could lead to further work on the chain, product and quotient rules using
the trigonometric functions.
Investigation
Learners are asked to draw the graph of y = sin x and to attach a tangent to it. As they move the tangent,
they note the values of the gradient at key points to suggest that the derivative is cosine. The graph in
degrees is then considered to show the results are only valid for x in radians. This is repeated for y = cos x
dy
and prompting is provided to find the result for y = tan x = sec 2 x . The optional third page of the
dx
learner notes looks at the sequence of gradients of a family of shortening chords to illustrate the concepts
underpinning the algebraic proof. This is most easily achieved using spreadsheets. The proof of the result
d
sin x = cos x using algebraic differentiation from first principles is included as a follow up exercise.
dx
Contents
Learner worksheet – pages 2-3
Optional learner worksheet – page 4
Teaching notes – pages 5-7
Aims
Resources
Using the fx-CG50
Dealing with the unexpected
Prompts
Extension questions
Solutions – pages 8-11
 Derivative of trigonometric functions: Learning resource objective

Discover the gradient function for trigonometric functions

Investigate 1

Draw Y1 = sin x and add a tangent to your graph. Follow the steps below to plot the gradient
function. Make sure the calculator is set to work in radians.
a) Find the gradient of the tangent at ( 0, 0 ) and enter it into the below.

b) Move the point of contact of the tangent to complete the table.

c) Investigate whether the points should be joined up with straight lines.
d) Draw the gradient function on the axes below.
d
e) Use Y2 = ( Y1) to check your answer.
dx x= x

x 0   3 2
2 2
y = sin x 0 1 0 -1 0

gradient

dy
It seems that when y = sin x, =
dx

Investigate 2

Change the settings so that the angle is in degrees. Investigate the gradient for this graph. What
does this mean for the derivative of y = sin x ?

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 Investigate 3

Repeat Investigate 1 for the graph y = cos x

dy
It seems that when y = cos x, =
dx

Investigate 4

Repeat Investigate 1 for the graph y = tan x

What function have you seen with asymptotes like this? How does the gradient take into account that
it is always positive?

dy
It seems that when y = tan x, =
dx

Follow-up

How can you find the gradient function for tan x using the results you have for sin x and cos x ?

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 Looking at first principles
Moving point Q

Change in y

Fixed point Change in x

To find the gradient of y = sin x at the point ( 0, 0 ) look at the triangle joining O to a nearby point Q.

As Q moves towards ( 0, 0 ) , the gradient of the chord is a better estimate of the gradient of the curve.

Task 1

Fill in the table to find the gradient of OQ. Start with O at ( 0, 0 ) and Q at x = 0.1 .
On the second row, move Q to the point where x = 0.01 and so on

x at O Change in x x at Q y at O y at Q Change in y Gradient OQ

h f ( x) f ( x + h) f ( x + h) − f ( x) f ( x + h) − f ( x)
h
0 0.1
0 0.01
0 0.001
0 0.0001
0 0.00001
As Q moves towards O, the change in x tends to zero and the gradient tends to

The gradient at ( 0, 0 ) is …

Task 2

Use the same method to find the gradient at other points on the curve.
d
Do they support the idea that sin x = cos x
dx

x    
6 4 3 2
gradient
cos x

Follow-up
d
Prove algebraically from first principles that sin x = cos x when x is in radians.
dx

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 Teaching Notes

Aims
To discover the gradient of trigonometric functions sin x, cos x and tan x
To realise the need to work in radians
To prove the derivative of y = sin x from first principles
To prove the derivative of y = tan x using the quotient rule.

Resources
Supporting resources are available in our Resource Centre.
Before the lesson
How-To Video
• Graphs – Getting Started
Related topics
• Differentiation from First Principles
Learner support material
• Calculus with Other Functions Confidence Builder
During the lesson
• Learner worksheet (for basic investigation) – pages 2-3
• Learner worksheet (for first principles) – page 4
Using the fx-CG50
Once a graph is drawn on the fx-CG50, it is easy to add a tangent. Choose Sketch (r) and Tangent (w).
Press SET UP (L-p) and switch the Derivative to On and the gradient of the tangent is displayed. The
default settings after resetting the fx-CG50 give good scales to show the trigonometric graphs in radians.

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Using the fx-CG50 Spreadsheet functionality

Should you wish to complete the table using Spreadsheet from p, the instructions are given below.
To type a formula, you need to enter = (L-.) at the start of the formula. To apply a formula to a
range of cells, you must use FILL (q).

Type the start x-coordinate into A1 and the start value for h into B1. (A1 can be changed to another
value and the spreadsheet then finds the gradient at another point on the curve. If the formulae in
columns D and E are changed, the gradient of a different curve can be found.)

To fill column A with the same value as A1 scroll to cell A2 EDIT (w),  (u), FILL (q).

Enter =A1 and then apply to cells A2 to A5 and press l.

To fill column B with values for h = 0.1, 0.01, 0.001... , scroll to B2 and choose FILL again.

All the remaining columns can be filled with a formula in the first row using FILL to apply.

For the x-coordinate of the second point ( x + h ) in column C, the values in column A must be added to
those in column B. Calculate f ( x ) in column D and f ( x + h ) in column E.

f ( x + h) − f ( x)
Calculate the gradient using in column F. Notice the values in column F tend to 1.
h

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The gradient at other point can be found simply by changing the value in A1.

Dealing with the unexpected

Most of the unexpected graphs in Investigations 1-4 arise when the settings do not match for degrees
and radians. The first example below has V-Window set up for 0  x  360 with the calculator set to
radians, the second has V-Window set up for −6.3  x  6.3 with the calculator set to degrees.

In the spreadsheet exercise, values in standard form are given in the form 1E − 4 = 1  10 −4
The limit of the sequence of gradients is reached as the values are rounded. This makes it easier to see
the limit of the sequence but may not help with the understanding of first principles without discussion.
Prompts
Investigation 1
Prompt learners to plot their small set of values on the given graph to see the possible zig-zag shape for
the gradient function. Prompt them to consider other points in between to check its non-linear nature.
Investigation 2
Prompt learners to use the default scales with equal aspect to see the gradient is very small. Prompt them
to change the scales to see the shape of Y1 and notice that a transformation of the cosine graph is visible.
Encourage learners to play with different scales on the y-axis to see the gradient function better.

Follow-up
Prompt learners to use trigonometric identities to establish the result for tan x .
Looking at first principles
Prompt learners to think about the gradient of the chord with the columns of the table as stepping stones
towards a gradient calculation. The table can be completed manually, or different rows by different
members of the class and results shared. Try not to let the spreadsheet itself be the main focus.
Extension questions
1) What transformation of the graph y = cos x is needed for the gradient function of y = sin x

2) For the gradient at x = prompt learners to consider why the gradient column has negative values.
2

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 Solutions

Investigate 1
 3
x 0  2
2 2
y = sin x 0 1 0 -1 0

gradient 1 0 -1 0 1

Straight lines (zig-zag) not appropriate as the values between do not fit a linear function. Gradient function
d
shown in red. It seems that sin x = cos x
dx

Investigate 2

The values of the gradient are very much smaller (scale factor which is the conversion factor of degrees
180
to radians). The second graph has the calculator set in degrees and the gradient function shown in red. So,
dy 
the result is not true when x is in degrees although the graph of = cos x is discernible.
dx 180

Investigate 3
 3
x 0  2
2 2
y = cos x 1 0 -1 0 1

gradient 0 -1 0 1 0

d
It seems that cos x = − sin x
dx

-8-
Investigate 4
Gradient function shown in red

 3
y = sec x has vertical asymptotes at , etc but takes both positive and negative values.
2 2
d
It seems that tan x = sec 2 x
dx
Follow-up
sin x
y = tan x =
cos x
Using the quotient rule

dy ( cos x )( cos x ) − ( − sin x )( sin x ) cos 2 x + sin 2 x 1

= = = = sec 2 x
( cos x )
2 2 2
dx cos x cos x

Looking at First Principles

x at O Change in x x at Q y at O y at Q Change in y Gradient OQ
h f ( x) f ( x + h) f ( x + h) − f ( x) f ( x + h) − f ( x)
h
0 0.1 0.1 0 0.0998334 0.0998334 0.998334
0 0.01 0.01 0 0.0099998 0.0099998 0.99998
0 0.001 0.001 0 0.001 0.001 1
0 0.0001 0.0001 0 0.0001 0.0001 1
0 0.00001 0.00001 0 0.00001 0.00001 1
As Q moves towards O, the change in x tends to zero and the gradient tends to 1.
The gradient at ( 0, 0 ) is 1.

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Task 2
x at O Change in x x at Q y at O y at Q Change in y Gradient OQ
h f ( x) f ( x + h) f ( x + h) − f ( x) f ( x + h) − f ( x)
h

6 0.1 0.623599 0.5 0.58396 0.08396 0.839604

6 0.01 0.533599 0.5 0.508635 0.008635 0.863511

6 0.001 0.524599 0.5 0.500866 0.000866 0.865775

6 0.0001 0.523699 0.5 0.500087 8.66E-05 0.866

6 0.00001 0.523609 0.5 0.500009 8.66E-06 0.866023

x at O Change in x x at Q y at O y at Q Change in y Gradient OQ

h f ( x) f ( x + h) f ( x + h) − f ( x) f ( x + h) − f ( x)
h

4 0.1 0.885398 0.707107 0.774167 0.06706 0.670603

4 0.01 0.795398 0.707107 0.714142 0.007036 0.703559

4 0.001 0.786398 0.707107 0.707814 0.000707 0.706753

4 0.0001 0.785498 0.707107 0.707177 7.07E-05 0.707071

4 0.00001 0.785408 0.707107 0.707114 7.07E-06 0.707103

x at O Change in x x at Q y at O y at Q Change in y Gradient OQ

h f ( x) f ( x + h) f ( x + h) − f ( x) f ( x + h) − f ( x)
h

3 0.1 1.147198 0.866025 0.911616 0.04559 0.455902

3 0.01 1.057198 0.866025 0.870982 0.004957 0.495662

3 0.001 1.048198 0.866025 0.866525 0.0005 0.499567

3 0.0001 1.047298 0.866025 0.866075 0.00005 0.499957

3 0.00001 1.047208 0.866025 0.86603 0.000005 0.499996

x at O Change in x x at Q y at O y at Q Change in y Gradient OQ

h f ( x) f ( x + h) f ( x + h) − f ( x) f ( x + h) − f ( x)
h

2 0.1 1.670796 1 0.995004 -0.005 -0.04996

2 0.01 1.580796 1 0.99995 -5E-05 -0.005

2 0.001 1.571796 1 1 -5E-07 -0.0005

2 0.0001 1.570896 1 1 -5E-09 -5E-05

2 0.00001 1.570806 1 1 -5E-11 -5E-06
d
They support the idea that sin x = cos x
dx

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 x   
6 3 2
gradient 0.866 to 3 s.f. 0.707 to 3 s.f. 0.5 0
cos x 0.5 0
3 2
2 2
Follow-up
If P is the point ( x , sin x ) and Q is the point ( x + h, sin ( x + h ) )
sin ( x + h ) − sin x
The gradient of the chord PQ is
h
Using sin ( A + B ) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
sin x cos h + cos x sin h − sin x
The gradient becomes
h
sin x cos h − sin x cos x sin h
= +
h h
cos h − 1 sin h
= sin x + cos x
h h
cos h − 1 sin h
The small angle approximation for x in radians implies that as h → 0, → 1 and → 0.
h h
cos h − 1 sin h
So, the gradient = sin x + cos x → ( cos x )1 + ( sin x ) 0 = cos x
h h
Extension questions
  
1) y = sin x = sin  x  for x in radians.
 180 
dy     
= cos  x = cos x
So, the chain rule gives d x 180  180  180

x=
2) The chord at 2 joins the maximum point to another point to the right of the maximum, so the
chord has a negative gradient.
The exercise can be repeated with negative values of h so the moving point is on the left of the
maximum, giving positive gradients but the same zero limit of the sequence of gradients.

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