Derivative of inverse hyperbolic trigonometric functions

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SUMMARY

The derivative of the inverse hyperbolic sine function, sinh-1(x), is derived using the relationship between hyperbolic functions. The correct formula for the derivative is dy/dx = 1/sqrt(1+x2), derived from the identity cosh2(y) - sinh2(y) = 1. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding hyperbolic identities and implicit differentiation techniques to solve for derivatives of inverse functions without relying solely on logarithmic forms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hyperbolic functions, specifically sinh and cosh
  • Knowledge of implicit differentiation techniques
  • Familiarity with the identity cosh2(x) - sinh2(x) = 1
  • Basic calculus concepts, including derivatives of inverse functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of hyperbolic functions and their inverses
  • Learn more about implicit differentiation and its applications
  • Explore the derivation of other inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
  • Practice solving derivatives using hyperbolic identities and relationships
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for college-level mathematics, particularly those focusing on calculus and hyperbolic functions, as well as educators developing curriculum materials related to these topics.

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I'm working on a pre-freshman year math packet for college, and at one point it asks for the derivative of sinh-1(x), followed up by the derivative of ln( x + sqrt(1+x2) ). In high school, we never really covered hyperbolic trigonometry, but I have previously derived that the inverse of sinh is ln( x + sqrt(1+x2) ), and used that fact to solve for the derivative of sinh-1' (by taking the derivative of the ln term)

The trouble I'm having is that it seems obvious that you weren't supposed use the ln term to solve for the derivative, otherwise they wouldn't have posed both questions next to each other. So my guess is that there's some alternative method through which you can solve for this that I may need to know for the school year. If anyone has any ideas, that would be great.
 
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The usual way to find the derivative of inverse functions is to use implicit differentiation. For example, for sin-1 x, we have:

y= \sin^{-1} x

\sin y =x

\cos y \frac{dy}{dx} = 1

\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{\cos y}

You can get up to this point for any inverse function, but the tricky part is now to solve for the RHS in terms of x. In this case, as well as in yours, it isn't too hard, and you can write:

\frac{1}{\cos y}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1- \sin^2 y}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1- x^2}}

And so:

\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx} (\sin^{-1} x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1- x^2}}
 
there is an error in the calculations of SatusX.

The basic relation with hyperbolic function is
cosh^2 x - sinh^2 x = 1.

Now if
y = sinh-1 x
than
x = sinh y
dx/dy = coshy
but cosh^2 y = 1+sinh^2y =1+x^2.
so
dy/dx =1/sqrt(1+x^2)
where sqrt means square root.
bye
 
There is no error. StatusX used sin x instead of sinh x as an example.
 
I'm retarded. I know how to do it like that (essentially, it looks a little different), it's just that I used a right triangle relationship between cosine and sin, and couldn't figure out the relationship between sinh and cosh (maybe if I draw a curved triangle... :smile: ). Anyways, I can't believe I didn't think of cosh^2 x - sinh^2 x = 1
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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