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4 Elementary FunctionsTrigonometric Functions

§4.23 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Contents
  1. §4.23(i) General Definitions
  2. §4.23(ii) Principal Values
  3. §4.23(iii) Reflection Formulas
  4. §4.23(iv) Logarithmic Forms
  5. §4.23(v) Fundamental Property
  6. §4.23(vi) Real and Imaginary Parts
  7. §4.23(vii) Special Values and Interrelations
  8. §4.23(viii) Gudermannian Function

§4.23(i) General Definitions

The general values of the inverse trigonometric functions are defined by

4.23.1 Arcsinz =0zdt(1t2)1/2,
4.23.2 Arccosz =z1dt(1t2)1/2,
4.23.3 Arctanz =0zdt1+t2,
z±i,
4.23.4 Arccscz =Arcsin(1/z),
4.23.5 Arcsecz =Arccos(1/z),
4.23.6 Arccotz =Arctan(1/z).

In (4.23.1) and (4.23.2) the integration paths may not pass through either of the points t=±1. The function (1t2)1/2 assumes its principal value when t(1,1); elsewhere on the integration paths the branch is determined by continuity. In (4.23.3) the integration path may not intersect ±i. Each of the six functions is a multivalued function of z. Arctanz and Arccotz have branch points at z=±i; the other four functions have branch points at z=±1.

§4.23(ii) Principal Values

The principal values (or principal branches) of the inverse sine, cosine, and tangent are obtained by introducing cuts in the z-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 arcsinz, arccosz, arctanz, 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

4.23.7 arccscz =arcsin(1/z),
4.23.8 arcsecz =arccos(1/z).
4.23.9 arccotz =arctan(1/z),
z±i.

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.

See accompanying text See accompanying text See accompanying text See accompanying text
(i) arcsinz and arccosz (ii) arctanz (iii) arccscz and arcsecz (iv) arccotz
Figure 4.23.1: z-plane. Branch cuts for the inverse trigonometric functions. Magnify

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.

§4.23(iii) Reflection Formulas

4.23.10 arcsin(z) =arcsinz,
4.23.11 arccos(z) =πarccosz.
4.23.12 arctan(z) =arctanz,
z±i.
4.23.13 arccsc(z) =arccscz,
4.23.14 arcsec(z) =πarcsecz.
4.23.15 arccot(z) =arccotz,
z±i.
4.23.16 arccosz =12πarcsinz,
4.23.17 arcsecz =12πarccscz.
4.23.18 arccotz =±12πarctanz,
z0.

§4.23(iv) Logarithmic Forms

Throughout this subsection all quantities assume their principal values.

Inverse Sine

4.23.19 arcsinz=iln((1z2)1/2+iz),
z(,1)(1,);

compare Figure 4.23.1(i). On the cuts

4.23.20 arcsinx =12π±iln((x21)1/2+x),
x[1,),
4.23.21 arcsinx =12π±iln((x21)1/2x),
x(,1],

upper signs being taken on upper sides, and lower signs on lower sides.

Inverse Cosine

4.23.22 arccosz=12π+iln((1z2)1/2+iz),
z(,1)(1,);

compare Figure 4.23.1(i). An equivalent definition is

4.23.23 arccosz=2iln((1+z2)1/2+i(1z2)1/2),
z(,1)(1,);

see Kahan (1987).

On the cuts

4.23.24 arccosx =iln((x21)1/2+x),
x[1,),
4.23.25 arccosx =πiln((x21)1/2x),
x(,1],

the upper/lower signs corresponding to the upper/lower sides.

Inverse Tangent

4.23.26 arctanz=i2ln(i+ziz),
z/i(,1][1,);

compare Figure 4.23.1(ii). On the cuts

4.23.27 arctan(iy)=±12π+i2ln(y+1y1),
y(,1)(1,),

the upper/lower sign corresponding to the right/left side.

Other Inverse Functions

For the corresponding results for arccscz, arcsecz, and arccotz, use (4.23.7)–(4.23.9). Care needs to be taken on the cuts, for example, if 0<x< then 1/(x+i0)=(1/x)i0.

§4.23(v) Fundamental Property

With k, the general solutions of the equations

4.23.28 z =sinw,
4.23.29 z =cosw,
4.23.30 z =tanw,

are respectively

4.23.31 w =Arcsinz=(1)karcsinz+kπ,
4.23.32 w =Arccosz=±arccosz+2kπ,
4.23.33 w =Arctanz=arctanz+kπ,
z±i.

§4.23(vi) Real and Imaginary Parts

4.23.34 arcsinz =arcsinβ+isign(y)ln(α+(α21)1/2),
4.23.35 arccosz =arccosβisign(y)ln(α+(α21)1/2),
4.23.36 arctanz =12arctan(2x1x2y2)+14iln(x2+(y+1)2x2+(y1)2),

where z=x+iy and ±z(1,) in (4.23.34) and (4.23.35), and |z|<1 in (4.23.36). Also,

4.23.37 α =12((x+1)2+y2)1/2+12((x1)2+y2)1/2,
4.23.38 β =12((x+1)2+y2)1/212((x1)2+y2)1/2.

§4.23(vii) Special Values and Interrelations

Table 4.23.1: Inverse trigonometric functions: principal values at 0, ±1, ±.
x arcsinx arccosx arctanx arccscx arcsecx arccotx
12π 0 12π 0
1 12π π 14π 12π π 14π
0 0 12π 0 12π
1 12π 0 14π 12π 0 14π
12π 0 12π 0

For interrelations see Table 4.16.3. For example, from the heading and last entry in the penultimate column we have arcseca=arccot((a21)1/2).

§4.23(viii) Gudermannian Function

The Gudermannian gd(x) is defined by

4.23.39 gd(x)=0xsechtdt,
<x<.

Equivalently,

4.23.40 gd(x)=2arctan(ex)12π=arcsin(tanhx)=arccsc(cothx)=arccos(sechx)=arcsec(coshx)=arctan(sinhx)=arccot(cschx).

The inverse Gudermannian function is given by

4.23.41 gd1(x)=0xsectdt,
12π<x<12π.

Equivalently, and again when 12π<x<12π,

4.23.42 gd1(x)=lntan(12x+14π)=ln(secx+tanx)=arcsinh(tanx)=arccsch(cotx)=arccosh(secx)=arcsech(cosx)=arctanh(sinx)=arccoth(cscx).