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

In summary, the conversation discusses how to use the identity cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) and the definition of the derivative to prove that the derivative of cosx=-sinx. The conversation explores different approaches and suggests using Taylor expansions to continue with the proof.
  • #1
ThaSlave
1
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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 defintion 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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  • #2
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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  • #3
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 defintion 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.
 

1. What is the definition of a derivative?

The derivative of a function is the instantaneous rate of change of the function at a specific point. It represents the slope of the tangent line to the function at that point.

2. How do you prove that cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) using the definition of a derivative?

To prove this equation, we can start by finding the derivative of both sides. Using the chain rule, we get:
y' = cosx * (-1) = -sinx
Next, we can use the trigonometric identity sin(Pi/2-x) = cosx to substitute and get:
y' = -sinx = cos(Pi/2-x) = sin(Pi/2-x) * (-1) = cosx * (-1)
Therefore, cosx = sin(Pi/2-x) implies y' = -sinx.

3. Can you explain the connection between the derivative and the slope of a tangent line?

The derivative of a function represents the slope of the tangent line at a specific point on the function. This is because the derivative is calculated by finding the slope of a secant line that approaches the tangent line at that point. As the distance between the two points on the secant line decreases, the slope of the secant line approaches the slope of the tangent line.

4. How does the chain rule apply in proving cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) using the definition of a derivative?

The chain rule is used in finding the derivative of composite functions. In this case, we have a composition of two functions, cosx and sin(Pi/2-x). By applying the chain rule, we can find the derivative of the composite function and prove the given equation.

5. Can you provide an example of using the definition of a derivative to solve a trigonometric equation?

Yes, let's take the equation y = sinx. To find the derivative of this function, we use the definition of a derivative:
y' = lim(h->0) [(sin(x+h) - sinx)/h]
Applying the trigonometric identity sin(x+h) = sinxcosh + cosxsinh, we get:
y' = lim(h->0) [(sinxcosh + cosxsinh - sinx)/h]
= lim(h->0) [sinxcosh/h + cosxsinh/h - sinx/h]
= lim(h->0) [sinx(cos(h)-1)/h + cosx(sinh)/h]
= cosx * 0 + sinx * 1 = sinx
Therefore, the derivative of y = sinx is y' = cosx. This also proves the trigonometric identity cosx=sin(Pi/2-x) by substituting x with Pi/2-x.

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