Inverse

Trigonometric Functions and Their Graphs Example 1: Evaluate the following: (use calculators in solving
for values of trigonometric functions)
I. The Inverse Sine Function
! ! (a) Arcsin 0
We restrict the domain of the sine function to − , to
! ! (b) Arcsin (−1)
make it one-to-one. The inverse sine function is defined as: !
!! ! ! (c) Arccos −
𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 if and only if sin 𝑦 = 𝑥 where 𝑦 ∈ − , !
! ! !
! ! (d) Arccos
Properties of 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 !! 𝑥: Domain: [−1, 1]; Range: − , !
! ! (e) Arctan − 3

(f) Arccot (−1)
II. The Inverse Cosine Function

We restrict the domain of the cosine function to 0, 𝜋 so that
Problem Set: Use a calculator to find the approximate value
the inverse function will exist. The inverse sine function is
of the angle measure in radians. Round off to four decimal
defined as:
places, when applicable.
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 !! 𝑥 if and only if cos 𝑦 = 𝑥 where 𝑦 ∈ 0, 𝜋
1. 𝑠𝑒𝑐 !! −2

Properties of 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 !! 𝑥: Domain: [−1, 1]; Range: 0, 𝜋 2. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 !!
!

!

III. The Inverse Tangent Function 3. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 !! 𝑠𝑒𝑐 8
! !
We restrict the domain of the tangent function to − , to 4. 𝑠𝑖𝑛!! 𝑡𝑎𝑛!!
!

! !
!"
make it one-to-one.
The inverse tangent function is defined as: 5. 𝑡𝑎𝑛!! 𝑡𝑎𝑛!! 4 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛!! 3
! !
𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 !! 𝑥 if and only if 𝑥 = tan 𝑦 where 𝑦 ∈ − , 6. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑠𝑖𝑛!!
!

! !
!

! !
Properties of 𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 !! 𝑥: Domain: (−∞, ∞); Range: − ,
! !
7. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛!! + 𝑡𝑎𝑛!!
! ! ! !
8. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 −1
IV. The Inverse Cotangent, Secant and Cosecant Functions
!
The other three inverse trigonometric functions can be 9. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛
!
similarly defiend by restricting the domains of the
!!
corresponding trigonometric functions. 10. 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠
!

𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 !! 𝑥 if and only if 𝑥 = cot 𝑦 where 𝑦 ∈ 0, 𝜋

Properties of 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 !! 𝑥: Domain: (−∞, ∞); Range: 0, 𝜋

𝑦 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 !! 𝑥 if and only if 𝑥 = sec 𝑦
! !!
where 𝑦 ∈ 0, ⋃ 𝜋,
! !

Properties of 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 !! 𝑥: Domain: ∞,−1 ∪ 1,+∞
! !
Range: − , 0 ⋃ 0,
! !

𝑦 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 !! 𝑥 if and only if 𝑥 = sec 𝑦
! !!
where 𝑦 ∈ 0, ⋃ 𝜋,
! !

Properties of 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 !! 𝑥: Domain: −∞,−1 ∪ 1,+∞
! !
Range: 0, ⋃ , 𝜋
! !

Domain and Range of 6 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Function Domain Range

𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 !! 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 [−1, 1] − ,
2 2
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 !! 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 [−1, 1] 0, 𝜋

𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 !! 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 [−∞, ∞] − ,
2 2

𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡 !! 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥 [−∞, ∞] 0, 𝜋

−∞,−1 𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 !! 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑥 0, ⋃ ,𝜋
∪ 1, +∞ 2 2

−∞,−1 𝜋 𝜋
𝑦 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 !! 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 − , 0 ⋃ 0,
∪ 1, +∞ 2 2

1
 Problem Set:
Find the fundamental solution set of the following:
(where 0 < θ < 2π)

1. 2𝑠𝑖𝑛! 𝜃 − 1 = 0
2. 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ! 𝜃 − 3 cos 𝜃 − 2 = 0
3. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 ! 𝜃 + cot 𝜃 − 1 = 0
4. 3𝑡𝑎𝑛! 3𝜃 − 1 = 0
5. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 ! 𝜃 − 2 = 0
6. 2𝑡𝑎𝑛! 𝜃 − 3 tan 𝜃 − 2 = 0
7. 𝑠𝑒𝑐 ! 𝜃 + tan 𝜃 − 1 = 0
8. 4𝑠𝑖𝑛! 3𝜃 − 3 = 0
9. 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ! 𝜃 = − cos 𝜃
10. sec 𝜃 − 1 tan 𝜃 − 1 = 0


Polar Coordinate System

Polar Coordinate System:
• Pole or origin – fixed point O on the plane
• Polar axis or initial line – horizontal ray to the right of O,
in the direction of the positive x-axis.
• Polar coordinates of P – a point P in the polar coordinate
plane denoted by P(r, θ).





Trigonometric Equations

The fundamental solution set (FSS) of an equation involving
trigonometric functions is the set of all solutions of the
equation in the interval 0, 2π .

Solving equations involving trigonometric terms is the same
as solving algebraic equations. First, solve for the
trigonometric function then solve for the angle measure by
using the properties of the inverse trigonometric functions.
Note the following:
1. Trigonometric functions are periodic. This means that the
solutions to the trigonometric equations are not unique, Properties of r and θ:
there are infinitely may solutions, if they exist. 1. |r| is the distance from the pole O to the point P
2. In every period of the graphs of the trigonometric where r can either be positive or negative.
functions, there are two angle measures except the 2. θ is the angle measure (in radians or degrees) formed
quadrantal angles that will give the same trigonometric by rotating the polar axis (the initial side) to the
function value. terminal side 𝑂𝑃 where θ is positive if the rotation is
counterclockwise and negative is the rotation is
Here are come techniques in solving equations involving clockwise.
trigonometric functions: 3. Let P(r, θ), where r > 0, be on the terminal side of θ.
1. Express the equation in the form f(θ) = C where f is a Extend the terminal side to the opposite direction
trigonometric function and C is a constant. from O. Let P’ be a point on this ray where the
2. In cases where the equation involves different distance from O to P’ is r. Then, P’ has polar
trigonometric functions, express the equation in terms of coordinates
only one trigonometric function by manipulation and the P’(−r, θ), where
use of identities. r > 0. Refer to
Figure below.
Example 1: Find the fundamental solution set of the 4. To plot (−r, θ),
following: (where 0 < 𝜃 < 2𝜋) where r > 0,
!
(a) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = first plot (r, θ)
! then follow (3).
(b) 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 − 1 = 0

(c) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 0

(d) 2sin! θ − sin θ − 1 = 0

(e) 𝑡𝑎𝑛! 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃 − 1 = 0

(f) 3sin! θ + cos 2θ − 2 = 0

2
 Polar coordinates P(r, θ) are not unique. An angle Example 3: Convert the following polar coordinates to
measure can be written in infinitely many ways. Angles Cartesian coordinates.
coterminal with θ can be found in clockwise and a. 2, 𝜋
counterclockwise direction and r > 0 or r < 0. The following b. −1,
!!

!
property will be useful to find other ways to write the polar

coordinates of P.
Example 4: Convert the following Cartesian coordinates to

polar coordinates.
Property 1:
a. −1,1
Let (r, θ) be polar coordinates of P. Then, P can also be
b. 1, 3
written as the following:
a. 𝑟, 𝜃 + 2𝑛𝜋
Problem Set:
b. – 𝑟, 𝜃 + 𝜋 + 2𝑛𝜋 = −𝑟, 𝜃 + 2𝑛 + 1 𝜋

where n is any integer

I. Plot the following points on the polar coordinate
A point can be represented in rectangular coordinates (x, system.
y) or in polar coordinates (r, θ). To convert from rectangular a. 2, π
!"
to polar coordinate or vice versa, use the following b. 4, −
!
conversions. c. 0,
!!"

!
!
Rectangular and Polar Coordinates Conversion: d. −1,
!
e. −1,
!"

𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑟! = 𝑥! + 𝑦! !

𝑦 𝑦 II. Convert the following polar coordinates to Cartesian
tan 𝜃 = ;𝑥 ≠ 0 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛!! ; 𝑥 ≠ 0 coordinates.
𝑥 𝑥
!!!
a. −5,
!
Property 2: !
b. 2, −
!
Let (r, θ) be the polar coordinate representation of P(x, y), !!!
c. −4, −
where 𝑟 = 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! . Then, !
!
a. 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛!!
!
if (x, y) is in Quadrant I or Quadrant IV; d. 5, −
!
! !!
and e. 10, −
!"
!
b. 𝜃 = 𝜋 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 !!
if (x, y) is in Quadrant II or Quadrant
!
III. III. Convert the following Cartesian coordinates to polar
coordinates.
a. 0, 5
Example 1: Plot the following points.
!! !!
b. −1, 2
c. 𝑎. 𝐴 2, 𝑐. 𝐶 3, − c. 5.5, −2
! !
!! !!
d. −1, 7.12
d. 𝑏. 𝐵 −3, 𝑑. 𝐷 −2, − e.
!
, −4
! !
!

!!
IV. Plot the point 𝑃 −4, . Find three sets of polar
!
coordinates for P with the following conditions:
a. 𝑟 > 0, 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋
b. 𝑟 > 0, −2𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 0
c. 𝑟 < 0, −2𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 0

!!
V. Plot the point 𝑄 −7, . Find three sets of polar
!
coordinates for Q with the following conditions:
a. 𝑟 > 0, 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋
b. 𝑟 > 0, −2𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 0
c. 𝑟 < 0, −2𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 0

!!
Example 2: Plot the point 𝑃 10, − . Find three sets of
!
polar coordinates for P with the following conditions.
a. 𝑟 > 0, 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋
b. 𝑟 < 0, 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋
c. 𝑟 < 0, −2𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 0