Q.If sin−1x=2sin−1α has a solution, then
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Principal Value Evaluation of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
The principal value of an inverse trigonometric function at a point x is the value of the inverse function at x that lies in its principal-value-branch range (the tables in the two concepts above). When solving (inverse function)(x)=y, there may be infinitely many angles θ with the right ratio, but exactly one of them lies in the principal range — that one is the principal value.
Tie-breaking rule. If two candidate values are numerically equal but opposite in sign (e.g. solving cosy=−21 might tempt y=±32π), the principal value is taken to be the positive one, subject to it actually lying in the function's principal range.
Reference table (principal domain → range of the inverse):
| Function | Principal domain | Range | Inverse | Domain | Range of principal value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sine | [−2π,2π] | [−1,1] | sin−1 | [−1,1] | [−2π,2π] |
| cosine | [0,π] | [−1,1] | cos−1 | [−1,1] | [0,π] |
| tangent | (−2π,2π) | R | tan−1 | R | (−2π,2π) |
| cosecant | [−2π,2π]∖{0} | R∖(−1,1) | cosec−1 | R∖(−1,1) | [−2π,2π]∖{0} |
| secant | [0,π]∖{2π} | R∖(−1,1) | sec−1 | R∖(−1,1) | [0,π]∖{2π} |
| cotangent | (0,π) | R | cot−1 | R | (0,π) |
sin−1x only outputs values in [−2π,2π], so 2sin−1α must itself lie in that ra …
For sin−1x=2sin−1α to have a solution x, the right-hand side must be a legitimate value of sin−1, i.e. it must lie in [−2π,2π].
Step 1. State the requirement. Since sin−1x∈[−2π,2π] always, we need 2sin−1α∈[−2π,2π].
Step 2. Solve for sin−1α. −4π≤sin−1α≤4π. …
Range requirement on sin−1: the argument of the outer sin−1 mu …
- Using ∣α∣≤1 (the domain of sin−1α itself) instead of the tighter bound forced by 2sin−1α needing to fit in [−π/2,π/2] …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The principal value of cos−1(−21) is -(a) 32π(b) 6π(c) 3π(d) −3π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The principal value branch of cos−1 is [0,π], and cos−1(−x)=π−cos−1x.
We know cos3π=21, so cos−1(21)=3π.
Using cos−1(−x)=π−cos−1x: …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the principal value of cot−1(−31).
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use cot−1(−x)=π−cot−1(x) since the range of cot−1 is (0,π).
The principal-value range of cot−1 is (0,π).
We know cot3π=31, so cot−1(31)=3π.
For a negative argument, use:
cot−1(−x)=π−cot−1(x),x>0 …
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The principal value of cosec−1(2) is:(a) 2π(b) 3π(c) 6π(d) π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The principal value branch of cosec−1 is [−2π,2π]∖{0}; find the angle in this range whose cosecant is 2.
We need θ such that cosecθ=2 and θ∈[−2π,2π]∖{0}.
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The principal value of cos−1(23) is ________.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find the angle in [0,π] (the principal branch of cos−1) whose cosine is 23.
cos6π=23, and 6π∈[0,π].
…
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The principal value of cos−1(−21) is(a) 4π(b) −4π(c) 43π(d) 45π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the principal value branch of cos−1x, which is [0,π], and find the angle in this range whose cosine is −21.
The principal value branch of cos−1x is [0,π], so we need θ∈[0,π] with cosθ=−21.
We know cos4π=21. Since cosine is negative in the second quadrant and 43π=π−4π lies in [0,π]: …
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The Principal value of sin−1(2−1) is :(a) 6−π(b) 0(c) 2−π(d) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The principal branch of sin−1 is [−π/2,π/2], and the angle there with sinθ=−1/2 is −π/6.
- We need θ∈[−2π,2π] such that sinθ=−21. …
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The value of 2sin−1(21)+cos−1(21) is:(a) 2π(b) 32π(c) 23π(d) 65π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluate each inverse trig value using standard angles, then add.
We know sin−1(21)=6π (since sin6π=21, and 6π lies in the principal range [−π/2,π/2]).
Also cos−1(21)=3π (since cos3π=21, and 3π lies in the principal range [0,π]).
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The principal value of cos−1(2−1) is ______.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find the angle in [0,π] (the principal range of cos−1) whose cosine is −1/2.
We need θ∈[0,π] such that cosθ=−21.
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the value of 3cos−1(23)+sin−1(23).
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluate each inverse-trig term at its standard angle, then combine.
cos−1(23)=6π and sin−1(23)=3π.
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the value of tan−13−cot−1(−3).
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluate each inverse-trig term on its principal branch, using cot−1(−x)=π−cot−1x.
First term: tan−13=3π (principal range (−2π,2π)).
Second term: For cot−1, the principal range is (0,π), and cot−1(−x)=π−cot−1(x).
Since cot−13=6π,
cot−1(−3)=π−6π=65π
Combine:
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The principal value of cos−1(23) is :(a) 2π(b) 3π(c) 65π(d) 6π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since cos6π=23 and 6π lies in the principal range [0,π] of cos−1, the principal value is 6π.
- The principal value branch of cos−1 is [0,π].
- We need θ∈[0,π] such that cosθ=23.
- From the standard trigonometric table, cos6π=23. …
- CBSE 2018Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the value of sin−1(21)+2cos−1(21).
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the standard values sin−1(1/2)=π/6 and cos−1(1/2)=π/3, then combine.
We know sin−1(21)=6π (principal value in [−π/2,π/2]) and cos−1(21)=3π (principal value in [0,π]).
So the expression becomes:
…
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