MHB Proving the Relationship between Cosine and Inverse Sine Functions

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The discussion focuses on proving two relationships involving cosine and inverse sine functions. For part (a), it is established that cos(sin⁻¹x) equals √(1-x²) by applying the identity cos²θ + sin²θ = 1. The proof shows that sin²(sin⁻¹x) equals x², leading to the conclusion that cos(sin⁻¹x) must be the positive square root due to the range of the inverse sine function. In part (b), the equation is clarified to include an equals sign, and the proof involves using the definitions of cos⁻¹a and cos⁻¹b to derive the relationship involving the cosine of the sum of angles. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly manipulating the equations and understanding the properties of inverse functions.
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Prove:

a) cos(sin-1x) = √(1-x2)

b) cos-1a+cos-1​b = cos-1(ab-√(1-a2)√(1-b2) (edited)

(VERY HARD)
 
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Hi Wild ownz al.

Try using the identity $\cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta=1$.

(a) We have $\sin^2(\sin^{-1}x)=x^2$ and so
$$\cos^2(\sin^{-1}x)\ =\ 1-\sin^2(\sin^{-1}x)\ =\ 1-x^2$$

$\implies\ \cos(\sin^{-1}x)\ =\ \sqrt{1-x^2}$

taking the positive square root because the range of $\sin^{-1}x$ (for $-1\le x\le1$) is $\displaystyle\left[-\frac{\pi}2,\,\frac{\pi}2\right]$ on which the cos function takes non-negative values.

(b) Check your equation. There should be an equals (“=”) sign, which is missing.
 
Olinguito said:
Hi Wild ownz al.

Try using the identity $\cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta=1$.

(a) We have $\sin^2(\sin^{-1}x)=x^2$ and so
$$\cos^2(\sin^{-1}x)\ =\ 1-\sin^2(\sin^{-1}x)\ =\ 1-x^2$$

$\implies\ \cos(\sin^{-1}x)\ =\ \sqrt{1-x^2}$

taking the positive square root because the range of $\sin^{-1}x$ (for $-1\le x\le1$) is $\displaystyle\left[-\frac{\pi}2,\,\frac{\pi}2\right]$ on which the cos function takes non-negative values.

(b) Check your equation. There should be an equals (“=”) sign, which is missing.


Hey Olinguito,

I'm a bit confused as to your steps...did you manipulate the left hand side or the right hand side? Also could you start from the given equation? I corrected part b). Thanks.
 
Wild ownz al said:
Prove:

a) cos(sin-1x) = √(1-x2)

b) cos-1a+cos-1​b = cos-1(ab-√(1-a2)√(1-b2) (edited)

(VERY HARD)

(b) let $\theta = \cos^{-1}{a} \implies \cos{\theta} = a \text{ and } \sin{\theta} = \sqrt{1-a^2}$,

also, let $\phi = \cos^{-1}{b} \implies \cos{\phi} = b \text{ and } \sin{\phi} = \sqrt{1-b^2}$$\cos(\theta + \phi) = \cos{\theta}\cos{\phi} - \sin{\theta}\sin{\phi}$

$\cos(\theta + \phi) = ab - \sqrt{1-a^2} \cdot \sqrt{1-b^2}$

$\cos^{-1}\left[\cos(\theta + \phi)\right] = \cos^{-1}\left[ab - \sqrt{1-a^2} \cdot \sqrt{1-b^2}\right]$

$\theta + \phi = \cos^{-1}\left[ab - \sqrt{1-a^2} \cdot \sqrt{1-b^2}\right]$

$\cos^{-1}{a} + \cos^{-1}{b} = \cos^{-1}\left[ab - \sqrt{1-a^2} \cdot \sqrt{1-b^2}\right]$
 
Wild ownz al said:
I'm a bit confused as to your steps...did you manipulate the left hand side or the right hand side? Also could you start from the given equation? I corrected part b). Thanks.

Note that the $\sin$ and $\sin^{-1}$ are inverse functions.

For example, $\sin^{-1}\dfrac12=\dfrac{\pi}6$ and $\sin\dfrac{\pi}6=\dfrac12$; that is to say, $\sin\left(\sin^{-1}\dfrac12\right)=\dfrac12$.

Thus we have $\sin(\sin^{-1}x)=x$ for $-1\le x\le1$.

The rest of my post should be straightforward.
 
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