General Question

Why do I keep getting stuck when taking the derivative of the inverse cosecant function?
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
Answer this question
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Have a question?
Ask Fluther!