Derivative of an inverse function

In summary, to find the integral of 1/(x*sqrt(x^2-1)), the correct solution is to use the inverse secant function with the following conditions: sec^-1(x)+C1 if x>1 and -sec^-1(x)+C2 if x<-1. This is because the derivative of inverse secant is always positive, so the function must be made positive for x<-1. This is achieved by using the fact that sec^-1(-x) = pi-sec^-1(x), and substituting x<-1 into the original function results in -x which can be rewritten as |(-x)|. Therefore, the denominator becomes |(-x)| for x<-1.
  • #1
Karol
1,380
22

Homework Statement


$$\int\frac{dx}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}=\left\{ \begin{array} {lc} \sec^{-1}(x)+C_1 & {\rm if}~x>1 \\ \sec^{-1}(-x)+C_2 & {\rm if}~x<-1 \end{array} \right.$$
Why the second condition ##\sec^{-1}(-x)+C_2~~{\rm if}~x<-1## ?
Snap1.jpg


Homework Equations


Derivative of inverse secant:
$$(\sec^{-1}(x))'=\frac{1}{x(\pm\sqrt{x^2-1})}$$

The Attempt at a Solution


The derivative is positive from -∞ to +∞ (the green lines). as i understand i have to make the function ##\sec^{-1}(-x)## positive when x<-1, but if ##y=\sec^{-1}(x)## is defined like in the drawing it is positive alsways
 
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  • #3
Continuity: ##\sec^{-1}(-x)=\pi-\sec^{-1}(x)## so:
$$\int\frac{dx}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}=\left\{ \begin{array} {lc} \sec^{-1}(x)+C_1 & {\rm if}~x>1 \\ -\sec^{-1}(x)+C_2 & {\rm if}~x<-1 \end{array} \right.$$
But that gives a negative derivative, if i substitute x<-1 in:
$$\frac{dx}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}$$
Snap1.jpg
 
  • #4
If ##x<-1##, then
$$\frac{dx}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}= \frac{d(-x)}{(-x)\sqrt{(-x)^2-1}} = \frac{d(-x)}{\lvert (-x)\rvert \sqrt{(-x)^2-1}} = d[\sec(-x)]$$
 
  • #5
I don't understand the transition:
$$\frac{d(-x)}{(-x)\sqrt{(-x)^2-1}} = \frac{d(-x)}{\lvert (-x)\rvert \sqrt{(-x)^2-1}}$$
Why did (-x) in the denominator became |(-x)|? why is it allowed?
 
  • #6
##x## is negative, no?
 

Related to Derivative of an inverse function

1. What is the derivative of an inverse function?

The derivative of an inverse function is the reciprocal of the derivative of the original function. In other words, if the original function is f(x), then the derivative of the inverse function is 1/f'(x).

2. How is the derivative of an inverse function calculated?

The derivative of an inverse function can be calculated using the formula: (dy/dx)^-1 = 1/(dx/dy). This means that the derivative of the original function is divided by the derivative of the inverse function.

3. Can the derivative of an inverse function be negative?

Yes, the derivative of an inverse function can be negative. This occurs when the original function has a positive slope and the inverse function has a negative slope, or vice versa.

4. What is the relationship between the graphs of an original function and its inverse function?

The graphs of an original function and its inverse function are reflections of each other across the line y=x. This means that any point (x,y) on the original function will have a corresponding point (y,x) on the inverse function, and vice versa.

5. Are there any special cases when finding the derivative of an inverse function?

Yes, there are two special cases when finding the derivative of an inverse function. The first case is when the inverse function is a constant function, in which case the derivative will be equal to 0. The second case is when the inverse function is a linear function, in which case the derivative will be equal to 1.

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