The general values of the inverse trigonometric functions are defined by
In (4.23.1) and (4.23.2) the integration paths may
not pass through either of the points
. The function
assumes its principal value when
; elsewhere on
the integration paths the branch is determined by continuity. In
(4.23.3) the integration path may not intersect
. Each of
the six functions is a multivalued function of
.
and
have branch points at
; the other four functions
have branch points at
.
The principal values (or principal branches) of the inverse sine,
cosine, and tangent are obtained by introducing cuts in the
-plane as
indicated in Figures 4.23.1(i) and 4.23.1(ii), and requiring the
integration paths in (4.23.1)–(4.23.3) not to cross
these cuts. Compare the principal value of the logarithm
(§4.2(i)). The principal branches are denoted by
,
,
, respectively.
Each is two-valued on the corresponding cuts,
and each is real on the part of the real
axis that remains after deleting the intersections with the corresponding cuts.
The principal values of the inverse cosecant, secant, and cotangent are given by
These functions are analytic in the cut plane depicted in Figures 4.23.1(iii) and 4.23.1(iv).
Except where indicated otherwise, it is assumed throughout the DLMF that the inverse trigonometric functions assume their principal values.
Graphs of the principal values for real arguments are given in §4.15. This section also includes conformal mappings, and surface plots for complex arguments.
Throughout this subsection all quantities assume their principal values.
compare Figure 4.23.1(i). On the cuts
upper signs being taken on upper sides, and lower signs on lower sides.
On the cuts
the upper/lower signs corresponding to the upper/lower sides.
compare Figure 4.23.1(ii). On the cuts
the upper/lower sign corresponding to the right/left side.
With
, the general solutions of the equations
are respectively
| – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| −1 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | ||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| – | – | 0 | 0 |
For interrelations see Table 4.16.3. For example, from the heading
and last entry in the penultimate column we have
.
The Gudermannian
is defined by
Equivalently,
The inverse Gudermannian function is given by
Equivalently, and again when
,