Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

4.6: Inverse Trigonometric Functions

We now know the definitions of all the trig functions, their properties, and the shapes of their graphs.
Today, we develop a way to take the inverses of trig functions, though special care will be needed since
none of the trigonometric functions are one-to-one

Learning Goals. By the end of this section, students will be able to...

• define the arcsin, arccos, arctan, arccsc, arcsec, and arccot functions,

• report the domain and range of each inverse trig function,

• graph the arcsin function,

• graph the arccos function,

• graph the arctan function,

• evaluate inverse trig fuctions,

• evaluate compositions of trig functions with inverse trig functions.

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Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

Inverse Sine Function

Inverses are often very helpful. If sin (x) had an inverse sin−1 , what would sin−1 (x) be equal to for an
input x?

We run into an immediate problem! sin (x) is not , so it does not .

But, we still want to be able to take an inverse. So in defining the inverse functions, we artificially restrict
sin (x) to a ‘representative’ portion of its domain on which it is both
and .

The domain of this ‘restricted’ sine function is [− π π

2 , 2 ] and its range is [−1, 1].

So we define an inverse function called arcsin (x) = sin−1 (x)

Definition: y = arcsin (x) means that sin (y) = x; where −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 and − π π

2 ≤y≤ 2

In other words, y = arcsin (x) means that y is the number in [− π π

2 , 2 ] whose sine is x

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Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

Problem. Find the exact value of y in each case

√
1. y = arcsin (− 23 )

2. y = arcsin (−1)

3. y = arcsin (2)

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Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

Inverse Cosine Function

We run into the same problem when wanting an inverse of the cosine function, so we handle it the same way.

We artificially restrict cos (x) to a representative portion of its domain on which it is both one-to-one
and which achieves its full range.

The domain of this restricted cosine function is [0, π] and its range is [−1, 1].

So we define an inverse function called arccos (x) = cos−1 (x)

Definition: y = arccos (x) means that cos (y) = x; where −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ π

In other words, y = arccos (x) means that y is the number in [0, π] whose cosine is x

Problem. Find the exact value of y in each case

√
1. y = arccos ( 22 )

2. y = arccos (−1)

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Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

Inverse Tangent Function

We handle tangent similarly. We restrict tan (x) to a representative portion of its domain on which it is
both one-to-one and which achieves its full range.

The domain of this restricted tangent function is [− π π

2 , 2 ] and its range is (−∞, ∞).

So we define an inverse function called arctan (x) = tan−1 (x)

Definition: y = arctan (x) means that tan (y) = x; where −∞ ≤ x ≤ ∞ and − π π

2 ≤y≤ 2

In other words, y = arctan (x) means that y is the number in [− π π

2 , 2 ] whose tangent is x

√
Problem. Evaluate arctan ( 33 )

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Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

Inverse Cosecant

f (x) = csc x
4

−π − π2 π π 3π 2π
2 2
−2

−4

Inverse Secant

f (x) = csc x
4

−π − π2 π π 3π
2 2
−2

−4

Inverse Cotangent

−π − π2 π π 3π 2π
2 2
−2

−4
f (x) = cot x

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Math-115 Chapter 4: Trigonometric Functions Fall 2024

Inverse Trig Functions

Inverse Function Equivalent to Domain Range

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

y = arccos (x) x = cos (y)

y = arctan (x) x = tan (y)

y = arccsc (x) x = csc (y)

y = arcsec (x) x = sec (y)

y = arccot (x) x = cot (y)

Problem. Find arcsec (2)

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Evaluating Compositions of a Trig Function with its Inverse

Example: Evaluate each of the following

1. arcsin (sin ( π
4 ))

2. arccos (cos (2π))

3. cos (arccos (−1))

4. sin (arcsin ( 12 ))

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Evaluating Compositions of a Trig Functions and Inverses

Example: Evaluate each of the following

1. cos (arcsin (− 13 ))

2. tan (arccos ( 45 ))

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Warning

Many texts will use sin−1 and arcsin interchangeably to refer to the same inverse of sin. This is fine! We’ve
learned that the notation f −1 (x) is used to refer to the inverse of f (x)

BUT f −1 (x) is not the same as 1 . This is a very common confusion of the notation. The −1
does not
f (x)
mean ‘f raised to the negative first power’, it is a unique symbol to mean ‘inverse’.

To help with this, when using exponents try to always place them ‘further away’ and outside of parentheses.

So 1 can be written (sin (x))−1 so as to not confuse this with sin−1 (x)
sin (x)

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