Hello there, aspiring mathematicians! Welcome to this crucial section where we'll unravel the mysteries of differentiating trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions. Think of differentiation as finding the 'speed' at which a function's output changes relative to its input. We've seen it with polynomials, exponentials, and logarithms. Now, it's time to add our angular friends to the mix!
We're going to start from scratch, assuming you're just getting familiar with these. We'll build our understanding brick by brick, just like constructing a strong building. So, grab your notebooks and let's dive in!
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Understanding the Basics: Why Do We Need These Rules?
Before we jump into the formulas, let's quickly recap what differentiation does for us. When we differentiate a function, say (y = f(x)), we find its derivative, denoted as (frac{dy}{dx}) or (f'(x)). This derivative tells us two incredibly important things:
1.
Rate of Change: How quickly (y) changes as (x) changes. For example, if (x) is time and (y) is distance, (frac{dy}{dx}) is speed!
2.
Slope of the Tangent: At any point on the curve of (y = f(x)), the derivative gives us the slope of the line tangent to the curve at that specific point. This is super useful for understanding the function's behavior.
Trigonometric functions like (sin(x)), (cos(x)), ( an(x)) are everywhere in physics (waves, oscillations), engineering (signal processing), and even computer graphics. Their rates of change are fundamental to understanding these phenomena. Similarly, inverse trigonometric functions like (sin^{-1}(x)) (also written as (arcsin(x))) are crucial when we need to find angles based on ratios.
So, let's learn how to find their 'speed' or 'slope'!
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1. Differentiating Trigonometric Functions
We have six primary trigonometric functions: sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant. Each has a specific derivative that you'll need to remember and apply. Don't worry, there's a pattern, and with practice, they'll become second nature!
Let's list them out and then tackle some examples.
Function (f(x)) |
Derivative (f'(x)) or (frac{d}{dx}[f(x)]) |
|---|
(sin(x)) |
(mathbf{cos(x)}) |
(cos(x)) |
(mathbf{-sin(x)}) |
( an(x)) |
(mathbf{sec^2(x)}) |
(cot(x)) |
(mathbf{-csc^2(x)}) |
(sec(x)) |
(mathbf{sec(x) an(x)}) |
(csc(x)) |
(mathbf{-csc(x)cot(x)}) |
Quick Tip for Remembering the Signs: Notice that all the 'co-functions' ((cos(x)), (cot(x)), (csc(x))) have negative signs in their derivatives! This little trick can help you recall them faster.
Now, let's see these in action, especially with the
Chain Rule, which is super important here. Remember, the chain rule states: if (y = f(u)) and (u = g(x)), then (frac{dy}{dx} = frac{dy}{du} cdot frac{du}{dx}). In simpler terms, differentiate the 'outer' function first, then multiply by the derivative of the 'inner' function.
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Example 1: Basic Application
Find the derivative of (y = sin(x) + cos(x) - an(x)).
Solution:
Using the sum/difference rule for differentiation, we differentiate each term separately:
(frac{dy}{dx} = frac{d}{dx}[sin(x)] + frac{d}{dx}[cos(x)] - frac{d}{dx}[ an(x)])
(frac{dy}{dx} = cos(x) + (-sin(x)) - sec^2(x))
(mathbf{frac{dy}{dx} = cos(x) - sin(x) - sec^2(x)})
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Example 2: Applying the Chain Rule
Find the derivative of (f(x) = sin(2x)).
Solution:
Here, the outer function is (sin(u)) and the inner function is (u = 2x).
1. Differentiate the outer function ((sin(u))) with respect to (u): (frac{d}{du}[sin(u)] = cos(u)).
2. Substitute (u = 2x) back: (cos(2x)).
3. Differentiate the inner function ((2x)) with respect to (x): (frac{d}{dx}[2x] = 2).
4. Multiply the results: (mathbf{f'(x) = cos(2x) cdot 2 = 2cos(2x)}).
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Example 3: More Chain Rule Fun!
Find the derivative of (y = an(x^2 + 3)).
Solution:
Outer function: ( an(u)) where (u = x^2 + 3).
1. Derivative of outer: (frac{d}{du}[ an(u)] = sec^2(u)).
2. Substitute (u = x^2 + 3): (sec^2(x^2 + 3)).
3. Derivative of inner: (frac{d}{dx}[x^2 + 3] = 2x + 0 = 2x).
4. Multiply: (mathbf{frac{dy}{dx} = sec^2(x^2 + 3) cdot (2x) = 2xsec^2(x^2 + 3)}).
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Example 4: Product Rule with Trig Functions
Find the derivative of (f(x) = x^3 cos(x)).
Solution:
This is a product of two functions, (u = x^3) and (v = cos(x)).
Recall the product rule: ((uv)' = u'v + uv').
1. (u = x^3 implies u' = 3x^2)
2. (v = cos(x) implies v' = -sin(x))
3. Apply the product rule:
(f'(x) = (3x^2)(cos(x)) + (x^3)(-sin(x)))
(mathbf{f'(x) = 3x^2cos(x) - x^3sin(x)})
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2. Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Inverse trigonometric functions answer the question: "What angle has this sine/cosine/tangent value?" For example, (sin^{-1}(0.5)) asks for the angle whose sine is 0.5 (which is (pi/6) or 30 degrees).
Their derivatives are a bit more complex than the regular trig functions, and they almost always involve square roots. These formulas are absolutely essential for JEE, so commit them to memory!
Function (f(x)) |
Derivative (f'(x)) or (frac{d}{dx}[f(x)]) |
Domain for (x) |
|---|
(sin^{-1}(x)) |
(mathbf{frac{1}{sqrt{1-x^2}}}) |
(-1 < x < 1) |
(cos^{-1}(x)) |
(mathbf{frac{-1}{sqrt{1-x^2}}}) |
(-1 < x < 1) |
( an^{-1}(x)) |
(mathbf{frac{1}{1+x^2}}) |
All real (x) |
(cot^{-1}(x)) |
(mathbf{frac{-1}{1+x^2}}) |
All real (x) |
(sec^{-1}(x)) |
(mathbf{frac{1}{|x|sqrt{x^2-1}}}) |
(|x| > 1) |
(csc^{-1}(x)) |
(mathbf{frac{-1}{|x|sqrt{x^2-1}}}) |
(|x| > 1) |
Quick Tip for Remembering the Signs: Just like with regular trig functions, the derivatives of the 'co-inverse functions' ((cos^{-1}(x)), (cot^{-1}(x)), (csc^{-1}(x))) are the negative of their non-co counterparts. This makes memorizing much easier!
Let's apply these with some examples. Again, the
Chain Rule is your best friend here!
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Example 5: Basic Inverse Trig Derivative
Find the derivative of (y = sin^{-1}(x) + an^{-1}(x)).
Solution:
(frac{dy}{dx} = frac{d}{dx}[sin^{-1}(x)] + frac{d}{dx}[ an^{-1}(x)])
(mathbf{frac{dy}{dx} = frac{1}{sqrt{1-x^2}} + frac{1}{1+x^2}})
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Example 6: Chain Rule with Inverse Sine
Find the derivative of (f(x) = sin^{-1}(2x)).
Solution:
Outer function: (sin^{-1}(u)) where (u = 2x).
1. Derivative of outer: (frac{d}{du}[sin^{-1}(u)] = frac{1}{sqrt{1-u^2}}).
2. Substitute (u = 2x): (frac{1}{sqrt{1-(2x)^2}} = frac{1}{sqrt{1-4x^2}}).
3. Derivative of inner: (frac{d}{dx}[2x] = 2).
4. Multiply: (mathbf{f'(x) = frac{1}{sqrt{1-4x^2}} cdot 2 = frac{2}{sqrt{1-4x^2}}}).
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Example 7: Chain Rule with Inverse Tangent and an Exponential
Find the derivative of (y = an^{-1}(e^x)).
Solution:
Outer function: ( an^{-1}(u)) where (u = e^x).
1. Derivative of outer: (frac{d}{du}[ an^{-1}(u)] = frac{1}{1+u^2}).
2. Substitute (u = e^x): (frac{1}{1+(e^x)^2} = frac{1}{1+e^{2x}}).
3. Derivative of inner: (frac{d}{dx}[e^x] = e^x).
4. Multiply: (mathbf{frac{dy}{dx} = frac{1}{1+e^{2x}} cdot e^x = frac{e^x}{1+e^{2x}}}).
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Example 8: Product Rule with Inverse Cosine
Find the derivative of (g(x) = x^2 cos^{-1}(x)).
Solution:
This is a product of (u = x^2) and (v = cos^{-1}(x)).
1. (u = x^2 implies u' = 2x)
2. (v = cos^{-1}(x) implies v' = frac{-1}{sqrt{1-x^2}})
3. Apply the product rule:
(g'(x) = (2x)(cos^{-1}(x)) + (x^2)left(frac{-1}{sqrt{1-x^2}}
ight))
(mathbf{g'(x) = 2xcos^{-1}(x) - frac{x^2}{sqrt{1-x^2}}})
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3. CBSE vs. JEE Focus
For
CBSE exams, knowing these formulas and applying the chain rule, product rule, and quotient rule correctly is usually sufficient. Questions tend to be direct applications.
For
JEE Mains & Advanced, these formulas are just the starting point. You'll need to master their application in more complex scenarios:
*
Nested Chain Rule: Differentiating functions like (sin(cos(e^{x^2}))).
*
Implicit Differentiation: When (x) and (y) are mixed in equations like (sin(xy) = x^2y).
*
Logarithmic Differentiation: For functions like ((sin x)^x).
*
Inverse Functions: Finding derivatives of functions like (f^{-1}(x)) using the formula ((f^{-1})'(x) = frac{1}{f'(f^{-1}(x))}).
*
Substitutions & Simplification: Often, especially with inverse trig functions, you'll need to simplify the expression using trigonometric identities before differentiating. For example, differentiating ( an^{-1}left(frac{2x}{1-x^2}
ight)) is much easier if you first substitute (x = an heta). We'll explore these deeper in the 'deep_dive' section.
The key takeaway is that for JEE, you need to be comfortable combining these rules with everything else you've learned about differentiation and algebraic manipulation.
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Recap and What's Next?
You've now got a solid foundation for differentiating trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions! We've covered:
* The derivatives of all six basic trigonometric functions.
* The derivatives of all six basic inverse trigonometric functions.
* How to apply the Chain Rule, Product Rule, and Quotient Rule in conjunction with these new derivatives.
* The importance of memorizing these formulas for both CBSE and JEE.
Practice is your best friend here. The more you work through examples, the more natural these formulas and their applications will feel. In the upcoming sections, we'll delve even deeper, exploring the derivations of these formulas, tackling more advanced problems, and looking at specific JEE-level strategies. Keep up the great work!