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The derivative of (tanx)^-1?

Could someone help me find the derivative of (tanx)^-1? Does finding it have anything to do with tan^-1(x)? Thanks.

Update:

Also, the problem comes due to my answer (and the ones on the forum) being different from the one in the book (-sec^2x/tan^2x, or csc^2x).

11 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    they are not same. (tan x)^-1 is reciprocal of tan x and tan^1- x is inverse function of tan x

    (tan x)^-1 = 1/tanx = cot x

    the derivative of cot x = -cosec^2(x)

    this can be derived using cotx = cos x / sinx

    now cot(x+h) = cos(x+h)/sin (x+h)

    cot (x+h) - cot(x) = (-cos x sin (x+h) + sin x cos (x+h))/sin x sin(x+h)

    = -sin h/(sin x sin (x+h))

    (cot (x+h) - cot x)/h = - (sin h/h)/sin x sin (x+h)

    as h->0 left hand side = df/dx and rhs = - 1/ sin^2 x = - cosec^2 x

    but

    tan^-1(x) = arctan(x)

    derivative of arctan x = 1/(1+x^2)

    this can be derived but you did not ask for it

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Derivative Tan-1

  • 5 years ago

    Tan-1 Derivative

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Rewrite as d/dx (1+tanx)^(-1) By the chain rule we have -1(1+tanx)^(-2) * d/dx(1+tanx) = -1(1+ tanx)^(-2) * sec^2(x) = -sec^2(x)/(1+tanx)^(2)

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  • 6 years ago

    RE:

    The derivative of (tanx)^-1?

    Could someone help me find the derivative of (tanx)^-1? Does finding it have anything to do with tan^-1(x)? Thanks.

    Source(s): derivative tanx 1: https://tr.im/yTm6Kthe-derivative-of-tanx-1
  • 1 decade ago

    -1 times (tanx)^-2 times (sec x) times (tan x)

    simplify this

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/5bDHb

    -1/(cos(x)+sin(x))^2 Scroll down to derivative and select choose; show steps.

  • 1 decade ago

    No. Tan^-1(x) (also called arctan(x)) is a different thing.

    (tan(x))^-1 = 1/(tan(x)) = 1/((sin(x))/(cos(x))) =

    cos(x)/sin(x)

    Now apply the quotient rule for derivatives and you're all done.

    Doug

  • 1 decade ago

    No no no! ALL WRONG!!

    1 / (1 + x^2) is the definition of d/dx(arctan(x)).

  • 1 decade ago

    Based on what the first guy said the answer you should get is -1/(sin^2(x)).

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