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MathsMediumClass 11

Domain & Range — All 6 inverse trig functions

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

3

JEE Qs

8%

Hard

75

min

Master the precise principal value ranges of all six inverse trig functions, as this is fundamental for accurately solving all related problems and simplification questions.

🧮 Key Formulas

y = sin⁻¹(x) => Domain: [-1, 1], Range: [-pi/2, pi/2]
y = cos⁻¹(x) => Domain: [-1, 1], Range: [0, pi]
y = tan⁻¹(x) => Domain: (-inf, inf), Range: (-pi/2, pi/2)
y = cot⁻¹(x) => Domain: (-inf, inf), Range: (0, pi)
y = sec⁻¹(x) => Domain: (-inf, -1] U [1, inf), Range: [0, pi] - {pi/2}
y = cosec⁻¹(x) => Domain: (-inf, -1] U [1, inf), Range: [-pi/2, pi/2] - {0}

✅ Key Points for JEE

  • 1Inverse trigonometric functions are defined by restricting the domain of the original trigonometric function to make it bijective (one-to-one and onto), thus ensuring a unique inverse.
  • 2The range of an inverse trigonometric function is its Principal Value Branch (PVB) and must be memorized precisely, as it dictates the output for any valid input.
  • 3The domain of sin⁻¹(x) and cos⁻¹(x) is restricted to [-1, 1] because the range of sin(x) and cos(x) is [-1, 1].
  • 4The domain of sec⁻¹(x) and cosec⁻¹(x) is (-inf, -1] U [1, inf) because the range of sec(x) and cosec(x) excludes values between -1 and 1.
  • 5Pay special attention to the excluded values in the range of sec⁻¹(x) (pi/2) and cosec⁻¹(x) (0), which correspond to points where the original functions are undefined in their restricted domains.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the domain and range of inverse trigonometric functions with those of the original trigonometric functions, or with their reciprocals.
  • Incorrectly recalling or applying the Principal Value Branches, especially for sec⁻¹(x) and cosec⁻¹(x) where specific points are excluded from the range.
  • Failing to check if the argument of an inverse trigonometric function (e.g., 'f(x)' in sin⁻¹(f(x))) lies within its valid domain before performing operations or simplifying.
  • Incorrectly interpreting 'inverse' notation, e.g., thinking sin⁻¹(x) is 1/sin(x).

NCERT Chapters

  • Class 11 Maths Ch 2: Relations and Functions
  • Class 11 Maths Ch 3: Trigonometric Functions
  • Class 12 Maths Ch 2: Inverse Trigonometric Functions