Wize University Calculus 1 Textbook > Derivatives

Derivatives of Inverse Trig Functions

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Derivatives of Inverse Trig Functions

The derivatives of the six inverse trigonometric functions are:

(arcsin(x))=11x2       (arccos(x))=11x2 (arctan(x))=11+x2  (arcsec(x))=1xx21 (arcCot(x))=11+x2(arcCsc(x))=1xx21\boxed{\quad (\arcsin(x))' =\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\qquad \ \ \ \ \ \ \hspace{0.25in}\ (\arccos(x))'= \frac{-1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\quad }\\ \\\text{ }\\ \boxed{\quad (\arctan(x))' =\frac{1}{{1+x^2}} \ \ \qquad\hspace{0.16in}(\arcsec (x))'=\frac{1}{|x|\sqrt{x^2-1}}\quad }\\ \\\text{ }\\ \boxed{\quad (\arccot(x))' =\frac{-1}{{1+x^2}}\qquad\hspace{0.03in}(\arccsc (x))'=\frac{-1}{|x|\sqrt{x^2-1}}\quad }










Wize Tip
Notice how all the derivatives of "CO Functions" have a minus sign.

Wize Concept
The Product, Quotient, and Chain Rules still apply for Inverse Trig Derivatives!

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Example: Inverse Trig Derivative

Find the derivative of f(x)=arcsin(3x2)f(x)=\arcsin(3x^2).

f(x)=[11(3x2)2]×[3(2x)]\displaystyle f'\left(x\right)=\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\left(3x^2\right)^2}}\right]\times\left[3\left(2x\right)\right]

f(x)=6x19x4f'(x)=\displaystyle \frac{6x}{\sqrt{1-9x^4}}
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Find the derivative of f(x)=(arccosx)2secx\displaystyle f\left(x\right)=\frac{\left(\arccos x\right)^2}{\sec x}


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