Differentiating Reciprocal and Inverse Trig Functions (Edexcel A Level Maths): Revision Note
Exam code: 9MA0
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Differentiating Reciprocal and Inverse Trig Functions
How do I differentiate the reciprocal trigonometric functions?
The formulae for the derivatives of the reciprocal trigonometric functions are:
You can derive the derivatives for sec, cosec, and cot using the chain rule and the derivatives of the basic trigonometric functions

How do I differentiate the inverse trigonometric functions?
The formulae for the derivatives of the inverse trigonometric functions are:
You can derive the derivatives of arcsin, arccos, and arctan using the reciprocal form of the chain rule and the derivatives of the basic trigonometric functions
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The formulae for the derivatives of sec x, cosec x, and cot x are in the formulae booklet – you don't need to memorise them
However, you should know how to derive the derivatives of sec, cosec, and cot using the chain rule
The formulae for the derivatives of arcsin, arccos, and arctan are not in the formulae booklet
You should know how to derive those derivatives using the reciprocal form of the chain rule
Worked Example

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