DERIVATIVES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

The derivative of sin x The derivative of cos x The derivative of tan x The derivative of cot x The derivative of sec x The derivative of csc x

THE DERIVATIVE of sin x is cos x. To prove that, we will use the following identity:
sin A sin B = 2 cos (A + B) sin (A B). (Topic 20 of Trigonometry.) Problem 1. Use that identity to show: sin (x + h) sin x =

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sin (x + h) sin x = 2 cos (x + h + x) sin (x + h x) = 2 cos (2x + h) sin h = Before going on to the derivative of sin x, however, we must prove alemma; which is a preliminary, subsidiary theorem needed to prove a principle theorem. That lemma requires the following identity:

Problem 2. Show that tan divided by sin is equal to cos :

tan 1 = . sin cos

(See Topic 20 of Trigonometry.)

tan = tan 1 = sin 1 = 1 sin sin cos sin cos

The lemma we have to prove is discussed in Topic 14 of Trigonometry. (Take a look at it.) Here it is:
LEMMA.

When is measured in radians, then

Proof. It is not possible to prove that by applying the usual theorems on limits (Lesson 2). We have to go to geometry, and to the meanings of sin and radian measure.

Let O be the center of a unit circle, that is, a circle of radius 1; and let be the first quadrant central angle BOA, measured in radians. Then, since arc length s = r, and r = 1, arc BA is equal to . (Topic 14of Trigonometry.) Draw angle B'OA equal to angle , thus making arc AB' equal to arcBA; draw the straight line BB', cutting AO at P; and draw the straight lines BC, B'C tangent to the circle. Then

BB' < arc BAB' < BC + CB'.

Now, in that unit circle, BP = PB' = sin , (Topic 17 of Trigonometry), so that BB' = 2 sin ; and BC = CB' = tan . (For, tan =
BC BC = = BC.) OB 1

The continued inequality above therefore becomes: 2 sin < 2 < 2 tan . On dividing each term by 2 sin : 1 1< < . sin cos (Problem 2.) And on taking reciprocals, thus changing the sense: sin 1> > cos .

(Lesson 11 of Algebra, Theorem 5.) On changing the signs, the sense changes again : sin 1 < < cos ,

(Lesson 11 of Algebra, Theorem 4), and if we add 1 to each term: sin 0< 1 < 1 cos .

Now, as becomes very close to 0 ( 0), cos becomes very close to 1; therefore, 1 cos becomes very close to 0. The expression in the middle, being less than 1 cos , becomes even closer to 0 (and on the left is bounded by 0), therefore the expression in the middle will definitely approach 0. This means:

Which is what we wanted to prove. The student should keep in mind that for a variable to "approach" 0 or any limit (Definition 2.1), does not mean that the variable ever equalsthat limit.
The derivative of sin x

d sin x = cos x dx To prove that, we will apply the definition of the derivative (Lesson 5). First, we will calculate the difference quotient. sin (x + h) sin x = h , Problem 1,

, on dividing numerator and denominator by 2,

= We will now take the limit as h 0. But the limit of a product is equal to the product of the limits. (Lesson 2.) And the factor on the right has the form sin /. Therefore, according to the Lemma, its limit is 1. Therefore, d sin x = cos x. dx We have established the formula.
The derivative of cos x

d cos x = sin x

dx To establish that, we will use the following identity: cos x = sin ( x).
2

A function of any angle is equal to the cofunction of its complement.

(Topic 3 of Trigonometry). Therefore, on applying the chain rule:

We have established the formula.

The derivative of tan x

Now, tan x =

sin x . (Topic 20 of Trigonometry.) cos x Therefore according to the quotient rule: d d sin x cos x cos x sin x(sin x) tan x = = dx dx cos x cosx = = cosx + sinx cosx 1 cosx

d dx

tan x = secx

= secx. We have established the formula.

Problem 3. The derivative of cot x. Prove: d cot x = cscx dx d cot x = d cos x = sin x(sin x) cosx cosx dx dx sin x sinx = (sinx + cosx) sinx = 1 sinx = cscx.
The derivative of sec x

d dx

sec x

= sec x tan x = (cos x)1 , then, on using the chain rule and

Since sec x =

1 cos x the general power rule:

We have established the formula. Problem 4. The derivative of csc x. Prove: d csc x = csc x cot x

dx d d 1 csc x = = dx dx sin x = = = = Example. Calculate the derivative of sin ax. Solution. On applying the chain rule, d d sin ax = cos ax ax = cos ax 2ax = 2ax cos ax. dx dx Problem 5. Calculate these derivatives. a) b) c) d) e) f) d sin 5x = 5 cos 5x dx d sinx = sin x cos x dx d 2 cos 3x = 6 sin 3x dx d x cos x = cos x x sin x dx d sin 2x cos x = 2 cos 2x cos x sin 2x sin x dx d tan (3x) = 18x sec (3x) dx

g) h) i) j)

x d x 2 cot 2 = csc 2 dx

d sec 4x = 4 sec 4x tan 4x dx d a csc bx = ab csc bx cot bx dx =

Problem 6. ABC is a right angle, and the straight line AD is rotating so that the angle is increasing in the positive direction. At what rate -- how many radians per second -- is it increasing if BC is constant at 3 cm, and AB (call it x) is decreasing at the rate of 3 cm/sec, and its length is 6 cm?

Therefore,