📚 Maths Notes: Chapter 2 - Inverse Trigonometric
Functions
(Class 12, NCERT - CBSE Board)
🔹 Chapter Title & Key Topics
Chapter 2: Inverse Trigonometric Functions
This chapter deals with the inverse of trigonometric functions, their properties, domains, ranges, graphs, and applications.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Definition of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
2. Domains and Ranges of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
3. Principal Branches of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
4. Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
5. Graphs of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
6. Important Formulas and Identities
7. Application-based Problems
🔹 Definitions & Theorems
1. Definition of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
The inverse of a trigonometric function reverses the process of the original function.
If y = f (x) is a trigonometric function, then its inverse function is written as x = f −1 (y).
It is denoted as: sin−1 x, cos−1 x, tan−1 x, csc−1 x, sec−1 x, cot−1 x
2. Domains and Ranges of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Function Domain Range
sin−1 x [−1, 1] [− π2 , π2 ]
cos−1 x [−1, 1] [0, π]
tan−1 x (−∞, ∞) (− π2 , π2 )
−1
cot x (−∞, ∞) (0, π)
sec−1 x (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞) [0, π2 ) ∪ ( π2 , π ]
−1
csc x (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞) [− π2 , 0)
∪ (0, π2 ]
3. Principal Branches of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
The principal value branch ensures that the inverse function is well-defined.
Each inverse function has a restricted range to make it one-one and onto.
4. Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
(a) Reciprocal Relations:
sin−1 x + cos−1 x = π
2
tan−1 x + cot−1 x = π
2
sec−1 x + csc−1 x = π
2
(b) Negative Argument Identities:
sin−1 (−x) = − sin−1 x cos−1 (−x) = π − cos−1 x tan−1 (−x) = − tan−1 x
(c) Composition with Trigonometric Functions:
sin(sin−1 x) = x, ∀x ∈ [−1, 1] cos(cos−1 x) = x, ∀x ∈ [−1, 1] tan(tan−1 x) = x, ∀x ∈ (−∞, ∞)
🔹📝 Important Formulas Box
sin−1 x + cos−1 x = π2 tan−1 x + cot−1 x =
π
2
sin−1 ( 1x ) = csc−1 x,
cos−1 ( 1x ) = sec−1 x tan−1 x + tan−1 y =
x+y
tan−1 ( 1−xy) , if xy < 1
🔹📝 Practice Questions (with Hints)
−1 1
1. Evaluate sin 2 . (Hint: Think of a known angle whose sine is
1/2)
−1
2. Find the value of tan 1 + tan 2. (Hint: Use the addition formula for tan−1 x)
−1
−1
3. Prove that sin x + cos−1 x = π2 . (Hint: Use definition of inverse functions)
4. Find the principal value of cos−1 (− 12 ). (Hint: Use range of cos−1 x)
5. Simplify tan−1 3 + tan−1 5. (Hint: Use tangent inverse addition formula)
6. Evaluate sin−1 (sin 3π
4
). (Hint: Consider the principal branch range)
x−y
7. Prove that tan−1 x − tan−1 y = tan−1 1+xy
. (Hint: Use inverse tangent subtraction identity)
8. Find the value of cos−1 ( 45 ). (Hint: Think of a right-angled triangle relation)
9. Prove that sec−1 x + csc−1 x = π2 . (Hint: Use reciprocal identities)
10. Find the value of tan−1 ( 1 ). (Hint: Think of the reference angle for tangent)
3
