Derivatives of Trig Functions

Suggested Prerquesites:

Useful Trigonometric Identities, The derivative of sine, The derivative of cosine, The Quotient Rule, The Chain Rule


Given that we know the derivatives of sine and cosine, we can readily compute the derivatives of the other trigonometric functions, since they can be defined in terms of sine and cosine.

ddx tan(x) &sp;=&sp; ddx ( sin(x) cos(x) ) &sp;=&sp; cos^2^(x)  +  sin^2^(x) cos^2^(x) &sp;=&sp; 1 cos^2^(x) &sp;=&sp; sec^2^(x)

ddx ctn(x) &sp;=&sp; ddx ( cos(x) sin(x) ) &sp;=&sp; -sin^2^(x)  -  cos^2^(x) sin^2^(x) &sp;=&sp; -1 sin^2^(x) &sp;=&sp; -csc^2^(x)

ddx sec(x) &sp;=&sp; ddx (cos(x) )^-1^ &sp;=&sp; (-1)(cos(x) )^-2^(-sin(x) ) &sp;=&sp; tan(x)sec(x)

ddx csc(x) &sp;=&sp; ddx (sin(x) )^-1^ &sp;=&sp; (-1)(sin(x) )^-2^cos(x) &sp;=&sp; -ctn(x)csc(x)


Some examples::

  1. ddx cos(x)sin(x) &sp;=&sp; -sin^2^(x)  +  cos^2^(x)

  2. ddt tan(4x^2^) &sp;=&sp; 8x&sp;sec^2^(4x^2^)

  3. dds sin(cos(s) ) &sp;=&sp; -sin(s)cos(cos(s) )


Exercises:

    Find the derivatives of the following functions:

  1. y &sp;=&sp; 4 csc(-6x)

  2. s &sp;=&sp; sec^2^(r)  -  tan^2^(r)

  3. w &sp;=&sp; tan^2^(sin(v) )


Solutions to the Exercises | Back to the Calculus page | Back to the World Web Math top page

jjnichol@mit.edu