Q.Show that
Concept understanding — Inverse Sine Principal Value
Principal Value of Inverse Sine
The equation sinθ=x has infinitely many solutions. If sinθ=21, then θ could be 6π, 65π, 613π, and so on. To make sin−1 a genuine function, we must agree on one answer. That agreed-upon answer is called the principal value.
Restricting the range
Sine is one-to-one on [−2π,2π], and on this interval it climbs through every value from −1 to 1 exactly once. So we define:
sin−1x=θmeanssinθ=x and θ∈[−2π,2π].
- Domain: x∈[−1,1] (sine never exceeds these values).
- Principal value range: θ∈[−2π,2π].
The principal value is the unique angle in this closed interval whose sine is x.
Reading off values
- sin−1(21)=6π, since 6π∈[−2π,2π] and sin6π=21.
- sin−1(−21)=−6π — the answer can be negative, because the range dips to −2π.
- sin−1(1)=2π and sin−1(0)=0.
sin−1x is an angle, not a ratio, and it is not sinx1 (that is cscx). The −1 here means "inverse", not a power.
The classic trap: sin−1(sinx)
Many students write sin−1(sinx)=x automatically. This is true only when x already lies in [−2π,2π]. Otherwise you must return the principal value — the equivalent angle inside the range.
For example, x=32π is outside the range, but sin32π=23, so
sin−1(sin32π)=sin−1(23)=3π.
When asked for a principal value, always check your answer sits in [−2π,2π]. If it doesn't, replace it with the co-terminal or supplementary angle that does.
The principal value of sin⁻¹x, restricted to [-π/2, π/2], is one of the very first definitions in the CBSE Class 12 Inverse Trigonometric Functions chapter, and "principal value of inverse trigonometric functions table" is a heavily searched revision resource. Correctly applying this range is essential for both board exam accuracy and JEE Main questions involving sin⁻¹(sin x)-type simplifications.
Concept: Inverse Sine Principal Value — The identity sin−1(sinθ)=θ holds only when θ lies in the principal branch [−π/2,π/2]. The substitution x=sinθ or x=cosθ must respect the given domain so that the angle after simplification stays within this range.
Proof for (i): Let x=sinθ, where θ∈[−π/4,π/4] because x∈[−1/2,1/2]. Then 2x1−x2=2sinθcosθ=sin2θ. Since 2θ∈[−π/2,π/2], we have sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ=2sin−1x.
Proof for (ii): Let x=cosθ, where θ∈[0,π/4] because x∈[1/2,1]. Then 2x1−x2=2cosθsinθ=sin2θ. Here 2θ∈[0,π/2], so sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ=2cos−1x.
- sin−1(2x1−x2)=2sin−1x for −21≤x≤21
- sin−1(2x1−x2)=2cos−1x for 21≤x≤1
The identity sin−1(2x1−x2) equals 2sin−1x when x is in [−1/2,1/2], and equals 2cos−1x when x is in [1/2,1]. The key is that the principal value branch of sin−1 restricts its output to [−π/2,π/2], so we must check which expression for the angle lies in that range for the given x.
The Core Idea
The expression 2x1−x2 looks like sin2θ if we set x=sinθ or x=cosθ. Recall:
sin2θ=2sinθcosθ
If x=sinθ, then 1−x2=cosθ (taking the non-negative root, since ⋅ denotes the principal square root). So:
2x1−x2=2sinθcosθ=sin2θ
Thus sin−1(2x1−x2)=sin−1(sin2θ).
But sin−1(siny)=y only when y lies in the principal range of sin−1, which is [−π/2,π/2]. If y is outside this interval, sin−1(siny) gives the principal value — the unique angle in [−π/2,π/2] whose sine equals siny.
So the problem reduces to: for a given x, choose θ such that x=sinθ or x=cosθ, then check whether 2θ falls inside [−π/2,π/2]. If it does, the identity is direct; if not, we adjust.
Step-by-Step Derivation
1. Set x=sinθ and express the argument.
Let θ=sin−1x. Then x=sinθ, and by definition θ∈[−π/2,π/2]. For such θ, cosθ≥0, so 1−x2=1−sin2θ=∣cosθ∣=cosθ.
Hence:
2x1−x2=2sinθcosθ=sin2θ
Therefore:
sin−1(2x1−x2)=sin−1(sin2θ)
2. Determine when 2θ lies in [−π/2,π/2].
Since θ∈[−π/2,π/2], 2θ∈[−π,π]. The principal range of sin−1 is [−π/2,π/2]. So sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ exactly when 2θ∈[−π/2,π/2].
Solve for θ:
−2π≤2θ≤2π⇒−4π≤θ≤4π
Since θ=sin−1x, this means:
−4π≤sin−1x≤4π
Taking sine (which is increasing on [−π/2,π/2]):
sin(−4π)≤x≤sin(4π)⇒−21≤x≤21
For x in this interval, sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ=2sin−1x. This proves part (i).
A common mistake is to assume sin−1(siny)=y for all y. This is false — it holds only when y is in [−π/2,π/2]. Always check the range.
3. For part (ii), use x=cosθ instead.
Let θ=cos−1x. Then x=cosθ, and θ∈[0,π]. For θ in this range, sinθ≥0, so 1−x2=1−cos2θ=∣sinθ∣=sinθ.
Thus:
2x1−x2=2cosθsinθ=sin2θ
So again:
sin−1(2x1−x2)=sin−1(sin2θ)
4. Find when 2θ lies in [−π/2,π/2] for θ=cos−1x.
Here θ∈[0,π], so 2θ∈[0,2π]. The principal range [−π/2,π/2] intersects [0,2π] in [0,π/2]. So we need 2θ∈[0,π/2], i.e.:
0≤2θ≤2π⇒0≤θ≤4π
Since θ=cos−1x, this means:
0≤cos−1x≤4π
Taking cosine (which is decreasing on [0,π]):
cos(4π)≤x≤cos(0)⇒21≤x≤1
For x in this interval, sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ=2cos−1x. This proves part (ii).
Notice the overlap at x=1/2: both formulas give sin−1(1)=π/2, and 2sin−1(1/2)=2(π/4)=π/2, and 2cos−1(1/2)=2(π/4)=π/2. So they agree at the boundary.
- For −21≤x≤21, sin−1(2x1−x2)=2sin−1x.
- For 21≤x≤1, sin−1(2x1−x2)=2cos−1x.
Method: Proving a double-angle inverse-trig identity by substitution
Use this for "show that" identities where the argument of an inverse function looks like a double-angle expression (e.g. 2x1−x2=sin2θ, or 1+x22x).
Steps
Step 1: Substitute so the messy argument collapses to a single trig ratio.
Choose x=sinθ or x=cosθ so that 1−x2 becomes a clean cosine or sine. With x=sinθ, 1−x2=cosθ and
2x1−x2=2sinθcosθ=sin2θ.
The outer inverse then reads sin−1(sin2θ).
Step 2: Apply sin−1(siny)=y ONLY after checking y is in the principal range.
This is the crux, not a formality. sin−1(siny)=y holds only when y∈[−2π,2π]. Translate that condition on 2θ back into a condition on x; it is exactly the domain the problem states.
Step 3: Pick the substitution that matches the given domain.
For x∈[−21,21] use x=sinθ (giving 2sin−1x); for x∈[21,1] use x=cosθ (giving 2cos−1x), because that keeps 2θ inside the principal range. The two domains in the question are precisely where each substitution is legal.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ without checking the range.
Why it's wrong: this cancellation is valid only when 2θ∈[−2π,2π]; ignoring that gives the identity on the wrong domain. Correct approach: translate 2θ∈[−2π,2π] into a condition on x — that is exactly why each part is stated for its own interval.
Mistake 2: Using the same substitution x=sinθ for both parts.
Why it's wrong: for x∈[21,1], 2sin−1x leaves the principal range, so x=sinθ fails part (ii). Correct approach: switch to x=cosθ there, which keeps 2θ in range and yields 2cos−1x.
Mistake 3: Taking 1−x2=−cosθ or dropping the modulus.
Why it's wrong: the principal square root is non-negative, and on the chosen branch cosθ≥0, so 1−x2=cosθ. A sign slip here breaks 2x1−x2=sin2θ. Correct approach: confirm the cosine (or sine) is non-negative on the substitution's interval before dropping the root.
- KCET 2025Set A-11 markMCQQ.2cos−1x=sin−1(2x1−x2) is valid for all values of 'x' satisfying (A) 0≤x≤21 (B) −1≤x≤1 (C) 0≤x≤1 (D) 21≤x≤1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute x=cosθ; the identity holds only while the doubled angle stays inside the principal range [−π/2,π/2] of sin−1.
Step 1 — Substitute. Let
θ=cos−1x⟹x=cosθ,θ∈[0,π].
Since θ∈[0,π], sinθ≥0, so
1−x2=1−cos2θ=∣sinθ∣=sinθ.
Step 2 — Simplify the right-hand side.
2x1−x2=2cosθsinθ=sin2θ.
So the equation becomes
2θ=sin−1(sin2θ).
Step 3 — Apply the principal-value restriction. The identity sin−1(sinα)=α holds only when α lies in the principal range of sin−1:
−2π≤α≤2π.
Here α=2θ, and 2θ≥0, so the requirement is
0≤2θ≤2π⟹0≤θ≤4π.
Step 4 — Translate back to x. cos is decreasing on [0,π], so 0≤θ≤4π gives
cos4π≤cosθ≤cos0⟹21≤x≤1.
Step 5 — Verify with a test value. Take x=1/2 (θ=π/4): LHS =2(π/4)=π/2; RHS =sin−1(2⋅21⋅21)=sin−1(1)=π/2 ✓.
Now take x=0 (θ=π/2), which lies in options (A), (B), (C): LHS =π, RHS =sin−1(0)=0 ✗ — so every interval containing x=0 is wrong. This confirms (D).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 21≤x≤1.
ANSWER: D
- KCET 2019Set A-11 markMCQQ.cos[2sin−143+cos−143]= (A) 4−3 (B) 43 (C) 53 (D) does not exist
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the identity sin−1x+cos−1x=2π to simplify the argument, then evaluate the cosine — the result is 0, which is not among the given options, so the correct choice is (D) does not exist.
The core idea here is that the expression inside the cosine is a sum of an inverse sine and an inverse cosine of the same number. There is a fundamental relationship between sin−1x and cos−1x: for any x in [−1,1], they add up to 2π. That’s the key that collapses the problem instantly.
Once you see that, the rest is just evaluating cos(2π+sin−143) — but wait, we need to be careful: the given expression is cos[2sin−143+cos−143], not cos[sin−143+cos−143]. So we have an extra sin−143 inside. Let’s handle it step by step.
- Apply the inverse identity For x=43, which lies in [−1,1], we know:
sin−143+cos−143=2π
This is a standard result: the sum of an angle and its complementary angle (in the sense of sine and cosine) is a right angle.
- Rewrite the argument The argument of the cosine is:
2sin−143+cos−143=sin−143+(sin−143+cos−143)
Substitute the sum from step 1:
=sin−143+2π
- Evaluate the cosine Now we need:
cos(2π+sin−143)
Use the cosine addition formula: cos(2π+θ)=−sinθ.
So:
cos(2π+sin−143)=−sin(sin−143)=−43
That gives −43, which is option (A). But wait — is that the final answer? Let’s check domain restrictions carefully.
Watch outThe expression sin−143 is defined (since 43∈[−1,1]), and cos−143 is also defined. The sum 2sin−143+cos−143 is a real number, so the cosine is defined. The calculation above seems straightforward. However, the problem is trickier: the identity sin−1x+cos−1x=2π holds only for x in [−1,1], which is fine here. So why would the answer be "does not exist"?
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Re-examine the domain of cos−143
cos−143 is defined and its principal value lies in [0,π]. Specifically, cos−143 is an angle in (0,2π) because 43>0. Similarly, sin−143 is in (0,2π). So 2sin−143+cos−143 is a sum of positive angles. Let’s check if it exceeds π?
sin−143≈0.848 rad, so 2×0.848=1.696 rad, and cos−143≈0.723 rad. Sum ≈2.419 rad, which is less than π (3.1416). So the argument is within [0,π], and cosine is defined. So the calculation stands.
But the options include "does not exist". Why? Possibly because the problem expects you to notice that the expression simplifies to −43, which is indeed option (A). However, let’s verify if there’s any hidden issue: the identity sin−1x+cos−1x=2π is valid for x∈[−1,1], but note that cos−1x is defined to give values in [0,π], and sin−1x in [−2π,2π]. For x=43, both are positive, so the sum is 2π. No problem.
So the answer should be −43. But the problem lists (D) "does not exist". Could it be that the expression inside the cosine is not defined? No, it is defined. Perhaps the trick is that cos−143 is not the same as arccos43? It is.
Let’s check the possibility: sometimes, in Indian exams, they consider that cos−1x is defined only for x∈[−1,1], which is fine. So I suspect the intended answer is indeed −43, and option (D) is a distractor. But the problem explicitly says "does not exist" — maybe they want you to realize that the argument simplifies to 2π+sin−143, and then cos(2π+θ)=−sinθ, which is −43. So (A) is correct.
However, to be thorough: is there any chance that sin−143+cos−143=2π is not true for principal values? It is always true. So the calculation is solid.
TipA quick check: if you compute numerically, sin−1(0.75)≈0.8481, cos−1(0.75)≈0.7227, sum = 1.5708 = π/2. Then 2×0.8481+0.7227=2.4189, and cos(2.4189)≈−0.75. So indeed −43.
Thus the answer is −43, which corresponds to option (A).
✓Final answerThe value is −43, so the correct option is (A).
- KCET 2021Set A-11 markMCQQ.tan−1[31sin25πsin−1cos(sin−123)]= (A) 0 (B) 6π (C) 3π (D) π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Peel the expression from the inside out: the nested inverse-trig block collapses using cos(sin−1x)=1−x2, sin25π=1, leaving tan−1(1/3)=π/6.
Step 1 — Innermost block.
sin−123=3π(principal value, since 3π∈[−2π,2π]).
Then
cos(sin−123)=cos3π=21,sin−1(21)=6π.
Step 2 — The periodic sine factor.
sin25π=sin(2π+2π)=sin2π=1,
using the 2π-periodicity of the sine function. So this factor is simply 1 and leaves the rest of the argument unchanged.
Step 3 — Collapse the outer bracket.
With the sine factor equal to 1, the bracket reduces to the coefficient 31:
tan−1[31].
Step 4 — Evaluate the principal value.
tan6π=31and6π∈(−2π,2π),
so tan−131=6π. (Option (D), π, is not even in the principal range of tan−1, so it can be rejected outright; π/3 would need the argument 3, and 0 would need argument 0.)
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 6π.
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] The value of sin−1[cos(395π)] is
(A) 2π (B) 103π (C) 53π (D) 10−3π›Reveal solutionSolution
Since 3pi/10 = 54 degrees lies in [-pi/2, pi/2], the principal value is sin^-1( sin(3pi/10) ) = 3pi/10.
Concept: reduce the angle modulo 2pi, then use sin^-1(sin theta) = theta for theta in [-pi/2, pi/2].
39 pi / 5 = 7.8 pi. Subtract 6 pi (three full turns, which does not change the cosine):
39pi/5 - 30pi/5 = 9pi/5.
cos(9pi/5) = cos(2pi - pi/5) = cos(pi/5).
Now write cos(pi/5) as a sine:
cos(pi/5) = sin(pi/2 - pi/5) = sin(5pi/10 - 2pi/10) = sin(3pi/10).
Since 3pi/10 = 54 degrees lies in [-pi/2, pi/2], the principal value is
sin^-1( sin(3pi/10) ) = 3pi/10.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 103π
ANSWER: B
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.The value of cos(sin−13π+cos−13π) is (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) −1 (D) Does not exist
›Reveal solutionSolution
The expression sin−13π and cos−13π are not defined because 3π>1, so the entire expression does not exist.
The key here is to check the domain of the inverse trigonometric functions before doing anything else. Many students jump straight into using identities like sin−1x+cos−1x=2π, but that identity only holds when x is in the domain of both functions.
For sin−1x, the domain is [−1,1]. For cos−1x, the domain is also [−1,1]. The given input is 3π≈1.047, which is greater than 1. So neither sin−13π nor cos−13π is a real number. The expression is therefore undefined.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
-
Check the domain of sin−1x
The inverse sine function sin−1x (also written as arcsinx) is defined only for x∈[−1,1].
Here x=3π≈1.047>1, so sin−13π does not exist as a real number.
-
Check the domain of cos−1x
Similarly, cos−1x (or arccosx) is defined only for x∈[−1,1].
Again x=3π>1, so cos−13π also does not exist.
-
Consequence for the sum
Since both terms are undefined, their sum sin−13π+cos−13π is undefined.
Therefore cos(sin−13π+cos−13π) is also undefined.
Watch outA common mistake is to apply the identity sin−1x+cos−1x=2π without checking the domain. That identity is valid only for x∈[−1,1]. Here x=3π is outside that interval, so the identity does not apply. Using it would give cos(2π)=0, which is option (A) — a tempting but incorrect answer.
TipWhenever you see an inverse trigonometric function, always first verify that the argument lies in [−1,1]. This simple check saves you from many errors.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) Does not exist.
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