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Worked Examples · Example 5

Q.Write cot⁡−1(1x2−1)\cot^{-1}\left(\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^{2}-1}}\right), x>1x > 1 in the simplest form.

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The key idea is to rewrite the inverse cotangent in terms of inverse secant using a right-triangle substitution. For x>1x > 1, the simplest form is sec⁡−1x\sec^{-1} x.

We are asked to simplify cot⁡−1(1x2−1)\cot^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^{2}-1}}\right) for x>1x > 1. The expression inside the inverse function looks like a ratio that could come from a right triangle. Let’s see why.

The domain x>1x > 1 ensures that x2−1\sqrt{x^2 - 1} is real and positive, and the fraction 1x2−1\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2 - 1}} is positive. So the angle θ=cot⁡−1(1x2−1)\theta = \cot^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2 - 1}}\right) lies in (0,π/2)(0, \pi/2) — the principal branch of cot⁡−1\cot^{-1} for positive arguments.

Now, recall that cot⁡θ=adjacentopposite\cot \theta = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{opposite}}. If we set cot⁡θ=1x2−1\cot \theta = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2 - 1}}, then we can imagine a right triangle where the side adjacent to θ\theta is 11 and the side opposite is x2−1\sqrt{x^2 - 1}. The hypotenuse then becomes 12+(x2−1)2=1+x2−1=x\sqrt{1^2 + (\sqrt{x^2 - 1})^2} = \sqrt{1 + x^2 - 1} = x.

So we have a triangle with:

  • adjacent = 11
  • opposite = x2−1\sqrt{x^2 - 1}
  • hypotenuse = xx

From this triangle, sec⁡θ=hypotenuseadjacent=x1=x\sec \theta = \frac{\text{hypotenuse}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{x}{1} = x. Therefore θ=sec⁡−1x\theta = \sec^{-1} x.

That’s the entire simplification. Let’s walk through it step by step.

  1. Set up the angle.

    Let θ=cot⁡−1(1x2−1)\theta = \cot^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^{2}-1}}\right). Then cot⁡θ=1x2−1\cot \theta = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^{2}-1}}, and since x>1x > 1, θ∈(0,π/2)\theta \in (0, \pi/2).

  2. Interpret as a triangle ratio.

    cot⁡θ=adjacentopposite\cot \theta = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{opposite}}. So take adjacent = 11, opposite = x2−1\sqrt{x^2 - 1}.

  3. Find the hypotenuse. …

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