General Question

HeroicZach's avatar

Why do I keep getting stuck when taking the derivative of the inverse cosecant function?

Asked by HeroicZach (195points) October 30th, 2009

Hello all,

So I’m attempting to directly prove that the derivative of the inverse cosecant: (d/dx) csc^-1(x) = -1 / [abs(x) sqrt(x^2 – 1)]

To get started, I swap x and y in the cosecant function expression y = csc^-1(x), and get:

x = csc(y)

Then I go ahead and take the derivative of that expression, and I get:

1 = -csc(y)cot(y) y’

So,

y’ = – 1 / [csc(y)cot(y)]

How do I change csc(y)cot(y) to the required abs(x) sqrt(x^2 -1)? Is this some bizarre trigonometric/Pythagorean identity of which I am not aware?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

7 Answers

Beta_Orionis's avatar

cosecant understand

ItalianPrincess1217's avatar

Wow. I feel much more stupid after reading this question than I did before I clicked on it.

faye's avatar

no kidding

Psychedelic_Zebra's avatar

@ItalianPrincess1217 yeah, I feel as dumb as a box of hair right now.

HeroicZach's avatar

@virtualist Thanks for the really helpful link.

@ItalianPrincess1217 @faye @Psychedelic_Zebra – Calculus is a magical study of awesome – you should really take a look sometime. It appears far more involved and intricate than it really is – memorize a few short and basic techniques and you can solve anything.

ccrow's avatar

@HeroicZach I think it would make my brain hurt

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther