Arccos(x) Graph

By Samira and Phoebe

 What is arccos(x)?

Arccos(x) is the one angle between 0 and

radians (or between 0 and 180) whose
cos is x. y = arccos(x) if and only if cos(y)
= x.

arccos(x) (in blue) is a transformation of

arcsin(x) (in red). arccos(x) is arcsin(x)
vertically shifted /2 (or 90 degrees) down.
How do you graph arccos(x) on TI-84?

1. First, put your calculator in radians unless told otherwise.

2. Press 2nd
3. After pressing 2nd, press COS.
4. This shall give you cos-1. cos-1 is synonymous with arccos.
5. Plug in your input for x, and you shall have your arccos graph!
What is the standard form?

The standard form is arccos(x) OR cos-1(x).

What is the domain?

The domain of arccos(x) is [-1,1].

What is the range?

The range of arccos is [0, ].

What is arccos zero?

The zero of arccos is (1,0). It meets the x-axis at that

point.
What is the Y intercept?

The Y intercept is (0, /2).

What is the principle axis?

The principle axis is (0, /2).

What is the Maximum of arccos(x)?

The maximum of arccos(x) is (-1, ).

What is the Minimum? of arccos(x)?

The minimum is (1,0).

What is the vertical asymptote?

Arccos(x) has no vertical asymptote.

What is the period of arccos(x)?

There is no period.
Special Values for arccos (x)
 Special Features

Remember! When referencing arccos as a one-to-one

function, keep the a lowercased. Arccos (with a capital A)
references a many-to-one relation.
Example Problem

Graph arccos(x). Use your critical

points to graph arccos(x-1).

Work off your basic knowledge of

transformations. Since it is (x-1), this would
be a horizontal shift, with x moving 1 unit
to the right.
Use your critical points. For example, (1,0)
now becomes (2,0).