Page images
PDF
EPUB

§ 32.

ANTI-TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS.

If y is any trigonometric function of an angle x, then x is said to be the corresponding anti-trigonometric function of y. Thus, if y sin x, x is the anti-sine of y, or inverse sine of y. The anti-trigonometric functions of y are written

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Similarly

[blocks in formation]

These are read, the angle whose sine is y, etc.
For example, sin 30°; hence 30° sin-1.

[ocr errors]

90° = cos 10
cos 10 sin-11; and 45° tan-11-sin-1

The symbol -1 must not be confused with the exponent 1. Thus sin-1x is a very different expression from

1

" sin x

which would be written

(sin x). On the Continent of Europe mathematical writers employ the notation arc sin, arc cos, etc., for sin-1, cos-1, etc. But the latter symbols are most common in England and America.

There is an important difference between the trigonometric and the anti-trigonometric functions. When an angle is given, its functions are all completely determined; but when one of the functions is given the angle may have any one of an indefinite number of values. Thus, if sin y=, y may be 30°, or 150°, or either of these increased or diminished by any integral multiple of 360° or 2, but cannot take any other values. Accordingly sin1-30° ±2n, or 150° ±2nя, where n is any positive integer. Similarly, tan-11=45° ±2nπ or 225°+2nπ; i.e., tan-11=45° ±nπ.

Since one of the angles whose sine is x and one of the angles whose cosine is x together make 90°, and since similar relations hold for the tangent and cotangent, for the secant and cosecant, and for the versed sine and coversed sine, we have

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

where it must be understood that each equation is true only for a particular choice of the various possible values of the functions. For example, if x is positive, and if the angles. are always taken in the first quadrant, the equations are

correct.

-1

EXERCISE XV.

1. Find all the values of the following functions: sin-1√3, tan-1√3, vers1, cos-1(√2), esc1(√√2), tan-1∞, sec-12, cos−1(— ± √3).

-1

2. Prove that sin-(-x)=-sin-1x; cos-1(x)=π-cos1x.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

8. If x=√, find all the values of sin¬1x+cos¬1x.

[blocks in formation]

5

10. Find the value of sin (tan131⁄2).

11. Find the value of cot (2 sin-13).

12. Find the value of sin (tan-1+tan-1).

[blocks in formation]

CHAPTER IV.

THE OBLIQUE TRIANGLE.

§ 33. LAW OF SINES.

LET A, B, C denote the angles of a triangle ABC (Figs. 31 and 32), and a, b, c, respectively, the lengths of the opposite sides.

Draw CD AB, and meeting AB (Fig. 31) or AB produced (Fig. 32) at D. Let CD=h.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Therefore, whether h lies within or without the triangle,

[blocks in formation]

By drawing perpendiculars from the vertices A and B to the opposite sides we may obtain, in the same way,

[blocks in formation]

Hence the Law of Sines, which may be thus stated:

The sides of a triangle are proportional to the sines of the opposite angles.

If we regard these three equations as proportions, and take them by alternation, it will be evident that they may be written in the symmetrical form,

[blocks in formation]

NOTE.

Each of these equal ratios has a simple geometrical meaning

which will appear if the Law of Sines is proved as follows:

Circumscribe a circle about the triangle ABC (Fig. 33),

and draw the radii OA, OB, OC;
these radii divide the triangle into
three isosceles triangles. Let R
denote the radius. Draw OM
LBC. By Geometry, the angle
BOC 2 A; hence, the angle
BOM=A, then BM:
A, then BM=Rsin BOM

=R sin A.

..BC or a= 2 R sin A.

In like manner, b=2 R sin B,

and c=2R sin C.

C

B

α

M

FIG. 33.

obtain

Whence we

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

That is: The ratio of any side of a triangle to the sine of the opposite angle is numerically equal to the diameter of the circumscribed circle.

§ 34. LAW OF COSINES.

This law gives the value of one side of a triangle in terms of the other two sides and the angle included between them.

[blocks in formation]

2

Therefore, in all cases, a2=h2+AD2+ c2-2c × AD.

[blocks in formation]

The three formulas have precisely the same form, and the law may be stated as follows:

The square of any side of a triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides, diminished by twice their product into the cosine of the included angle.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »