Arcsin x sin

1. Jul 7, 2009

I'm

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

arcsin(sin) = 1 right?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

Basically, I see arcsin as 1/sin

is this correct?

2. Jul 7, 2009

qntty

1/sin(x) = csc(x)

arcsin is the function such that sin(arcsin(x)) = x

3. Jul 7, 2009

I'm

Oh I think I get it.

So, I can take the arcsine of both sides in a problem such as:

sin(2x) = (Root3 )/2

and I would get arcsin(sin(2x)) = arcsin ((root3)/2)

Which would get me to 2x = arcsin ((root3)/2)?

Correct?

4. Jul 7, 2009

Hurkyl

Staff Emeritus
Yes or no, depending on what you literally mean.

The big overwhelming obstacle that you need to make sure you understand is that the equation
sin(y)=x​
has infinitely many solutions. (or zero solutions, if |x| > 1)

If I'm to define a function Arcsin(x) that gives a solution to sin(y)=x, I can only pick one of them. (The solution lying in $-\pi/2 \leq y \leq \pi/2$ is traditional)

So if I want all solutions to sin(y)=x, I have more work to do because Arcsin(x) gives me one of them. Fortunately, knowing one solution, it's easy to find all of the others. (If it's not obvious, study the graph of sin(y)=x for a while....)

In otherwords, Arcsin(sin(y)) is not y. It is "the number in $[-\pi/2 , \pi/2]$ that is related to y".

5. Jul 8, 2009

I'm

so in this case would it be arcsin(sin(60)) = Arcsin (($$\sqrt{3}$$/2
?

Can you give me a problem that displays what you have just told me? I'd really like to see one ( as I have not been told that in my Precalculus class).

Thanks.

6. Jul 8, 2009

qntty

$$\sin{0}=\sin{\pi}=0$$ but $$\pi \not= 0$$. A function can only map one output to a given input, so we have to specify which solution we want when we say Arcsin(0). The solutions which are typically used are the ones between $$-\pi/2$$ and $$\pi/2$$

Last edited: Jul 8, 2009
Know someone interested in this topic? Share this thread via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook