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Calculus
6. Derivatives of Special Functions
6.4 Derivative of inverse trigonometric functions
Derivative of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Formulas, proofs, and worked examples for differentiating arcsin, arccos, arctan, and the other inverse trig functions.
What You'll Learn
The derivative of each inverse trig function comes from applying implicit differentiation to its trig definition.
The derivative of arcsin x is 1 over the square root of 1 minus x squared, and the derivative of arccos x is its negative.
The derivative of arctan x is 1 over 1 plus x squared, one of the simplest inverse trig derivative rules.
Inverse secant and inverse cosecant derivatives include an absolute value of x because their domains exclude values between negative 1 and 1.
Chain rule problems with inverse trig functions follow the same pattern as ordinary chain rule problems, just with a new set of outer function derivatives.
What You'll Practice
1
Finding derivatives of arcsin, arccos, and arctan with variable expressions inside
2
Applying chain rule to expressions like arctan(e^x) and arccot(3x+1)
3
Using product and quotient rules with inverse trigonometric functions
4
Proving derivative identities involving inverse trig functions
Why This Matters
Inverse trigonometric derivatives are essential for solving integrals, optimization problems, and differential equations in calculus. You'll use these formulas throughout engineering, physics, and advanced mathematics courses whenever angles need to be recovered from ratios.
Before You Start — Make Sure You Can:
This Unit Includes
7 Video lessons
Practice exercises
Learning resources
Skills
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Chain Rule
Implicit Differentiation
Pythagorean Identity
Product Rule
Quotient Rule
Derivatives

IL Curriculum Aligned