Def. of derivative and cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) to prove y'=-sinx

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the derivative of cos(x) using the identity cos(x) = sin(π/2 - x) and the definition of the derivative. Participants explore the limit process and Taylor expansions to derive the result that y' = -sin(x). The key steps involve manipulating the expression (cos(x + h) - cos(x))/h and applying limits to both terms, specifically using the Taylor series for cos(h) and sin(h) to simplify the calculations. The conclusion is that the derivative can indeed be proven through this method.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the definition of the derivative
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities, specifically cos(x) = sin(π/2 - x)
  • Knowledge of Taylor series expansions for sin(h) and cos(h)
  • Basic calculus concepts, including limits and continuity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Taylor series expansions for sin(x) and cos(x)
  • Learn about the limit definition of derivatives in more depth
  • Explore the application of trigonometric identities in calculus proofs
  • Investigate other methods of proving derivatives, such as using the chain rule
USEFUL FOR

Students of calculus, mathematics educators, and anyone interested in understanding the derivation of trigonometric derivatives using identities and limits.

ThaSlave
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A lot of web pages/books show how to use cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) and the chain rule to prove that the derivative of
cosx=-sinx. My question is how to use this identity and the definition of the derivative to prove the same thing.
Or whether it is at all possible. Seeing that i get dy/dx=(cos(x+h)-cosx)/h = (sin(Pi/2-x-h)-sin(Pi/2-x))/h =
(sin(Pi/2-x)cosh-cos(pi/2-x)sinh-sin(pi/2-x))/h. The first term here is the problem, namely sin(Pi/2-x)cosh/h, since this needs to be equal to sin(Pi/2-x) for this to work. Is there another way around?

Another way of thinking is to say that cosh goes to 1 as h goes to 0, but using the same reasoning with sinh leaves me with dy/dx=0.
 
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ThaSlave said:
(sin(Pi/2-x)cosh-cos(pi/2-x)sinh-sin(pi/2-x))/h
Just continue from there. The way you proceed is to express ##\cos h## and ##\sin h## in terms of their respective Taylor expansion. Let's see what you get after doing this. For example, substituting the expansion for ##\cos h## to the first term leads to
$$
\sin(\pi/2-x)\cos h = \sin(\pi/2-x)\left(1-\frac{h^2}{2!}+\frac{h^4}{4!} - \ldots \right)
$$
Now substract the 3rd term ##\sin(\pi/2-x)## from the RHS of the above equation.
 
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ThaSlave said:
A lot of web pages/books show how to use cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) and the chain rule to prove that the derivative of
cosx=-sinx. My question is how to use this identity and the definition of the derivative to prove the same thing.
Or whether it is at all possible. Seeing that i get dy/dx=(cos(x+h)-cosx)/h =
Rather than using the identity you're trying to use, just continue from the above.
##\frac{\cos(x + h) - \cos(x)}{h} = \frac{\cos(x)\cos(h) - \sin(x)\sin(h) - \cos(x)}{h} = \frac{\cos(x)(\cos(h) - 1)}{h} - \frac{\sin(x) \sin(h)}{h}##.
To get the derivative of cos(x), take the limits of the two expressions above.
ThaSlave said:
(sin(Pi/2-x-h)-sin(Pi/2-x))/h =
(sin(Pi/2-x)cosh-cos(pi/2-x)sinh-sin(pi/2-x))/h. The first term here is the problem, namely sin(Pi/2-x)cosh/h, since this needs to be equal to sin(Pi/2-x) for this to work. Is there another way around?

Another way of thinking is to say that cosh goes to 1 as h goes to 0, but using the same reasoning with sinh leaves me with dy/dx=0.
 

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