If y=f(x) is a one-one, onto (hence invertible) differentiable function with dxdy=0, then its inverse x=f−1(y) is also differentiable, and its derivative is the reciprocal of the original derivative: dydx=dy/dx1, evaluated at the corresponding point. Equivalently, if g=f−1, then g′(y)=f′(x)1 where y=f(x). This can be proved two ways: (1) directly from increments, since δyδx⋅δxδy=1, so taking the limit gives dydx=dy/dx1; or (2) by differentiating the identity f−1[f(x)]=x using the chain rule, which gives (f−1)′[f(x)]⋅f′(x)=1. To use this in practice: write y=f(x), invert to get x=f−1(y) explicitly in terms of y, and differentiate x with respect to y directly — or find dy/dx first and take its reciprocal. This idea is what lets us derive the standard derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions and any other invertible function without a fresh first-principles proof each time. …