Q.Find the principal value of the following: sin−1(sin32π)
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →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. …
The key idea is that sin−1 returns the principal value in [−2π,2π], not the original angle if it lies outside this range.
- The given angle is 32π, which is in Quadrant II. Its sine is positive: sin32π=sin(π−3π)=sin3π=23. …
The principal value of sin−1(sinx) is the unique angle in [−π/2,π/2] whose sine equals sinx. Since 32π lies outside this range, we find the angle inside it with the same sine: 3π. So the answer is 3π.
The function sin−1 (also written as arcsin) is the inverse of the sine function, but only when sine is restricted to a specific interval. Without that restriction, sine is not one-to-one — many different angles give the same sine value. So sin−1 is defined to return only the principal value: the unique angle in the interval [−π/2,π/2] whose sine equals the given number.
When you see sin−1(sinθ), the instinct might be to cancel and say θ. But that only works if θ itself lies in [−π/2,π/2]. If θ is outside that range, you must find the angle inside the range that has the same sine.
Here, θ=32π. Let's check: 32π=120∘, which is well outside [−π/2,π/2]=[−90∘,90∘]. So we cannot simply cancel.
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Find the sine of the given angle.
sin32π=sin(π−3π)=sin3π=23.
This uses the identity sin(π−x)=sinx.
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Now ask: what angle in [−π/2,π/2] has sine 23?
The standard angle is 3π (60°), and 3π is indeed in [−π/2,π/2].
No other angle in that interval gives the same sine — sinx is one-to-one there.
-
Therefore: …
Method: Evaluating sin−1(sinθ)
Use this whenever you must simplify sin−1(sinθ) for an angle θ that may lie outside the principal range of sin−1.
Steps
Step 1: Recall the principal range and test θ.
sin−1 always returns an angle in [−2π,2π]. If θ already lies in this interval, the answer is simply θ and you are done.
Step 2: If θ is outside the range, replace it by the co-valued angle inside.
Find the unique ϕ∈[−2π,2π] with sinϕ=sinθ. The reduction identities do this quickly: …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Cancelling blindly to get sin−1(sinθ)=θ.
Why it's wrong: this only holds when θ∈[−2π,2π]. Here 32π is outside that range, so writing 32π is incorrect. Correct approach: replace θ with the co-valued angle inside the range using sin−1(sinθ)=π−θ, giving 3π. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If sin−1(4x)−cos−1(3x)=6π, then x= (A) 273 (B) 473 (C) 2133 (D) 4133
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to rewrite the equation using the identity sin−1a+cos−1a=2π, then take the sine of both sides to solve for x. The valid solution is x=473, which corresponds to option (B).
We start with
sin−1(4x)−cos−1(3x)=6π.
Concept & Intuition:
Inverse trig equations often become algebraic after applying a trigonometric function to both sides. But we must be careful: the ranges of sin−1 and cos−1 restrict possible x values. A classic trick is to isolate one inverse function and use the identity sin−1u+cos−1u=2π to rewrite the other term, making it easier to apply sine.
Step-by-step solution:
- Rewrite cos−1(3x) using the identity For any u in [−1,1], we have cos−1u=2π−sin−1u. So
sin−1(4x)−(2π−sin−1(3x))=6π.
- Simplify the equation
sin−1(4x)−2π+sin−1(3x)=6π.
Bring 2π to the right:
sin−1(4x)+sin−1(3x)=6π+2π=32π.
- Take sine of both sides Let α=sin−1(4x) and β=sin−1(3x). Then α+β=32π. Taking sine:
sin(α+β)=sin32π=23.
Using the sine addition formula:
sinαcosβ+cosαsinβ=23.
- Express sin and cos in terms of x sinα=4x, sinβ=3x. Since α,β∈[−2π,2π], we have cosα=1−(4x)2 and cosβ=1−(3x)2 (non-negative because cosine is non-negative on that interval). So:
4x⋅1−9x2+3x⋅1−16x2=23.
- Isolate one square root and square Move 3x1−16x2 to the right:
4x1−9x2=23−3x1−16x2.
Square both sides:
16x2(1−9x2)=43−33x1−16x2+9x2(1−16x2).
- Simplify Left: 16x2−144x4. Right: 43+9x2−144x4−33x1−16x2. Cancel −144x4 from both sides:
16x2=43+9x2−33x1−16x2.
So
7x2=43−33x1−16x2.
- Isolate the square root again
33x1−16x2=43−7x2.
Square again:
27x2(1−16x2)=(43−7x2)2.
- Expand and solve Left: 27x2−432x4. Right: 169−221x2+49x4. Multiply through by 16 to clear denominators:
432x2−6912x4=9−168x2+784x4.
Bring all terms to one side:
0=9−168x2−432x2+784x4+6912x4,
i.e.
0=9−600x2+7696x4.
- Solve the quadratic in x2 Let t=x2. Then
7696t2−600t+9=0.
Discriminant: Δ=6002−4⋅7696⋅9=360000−277056=82944.
82944=288 (since 2882=82944).
So
t=2⋅7696600±288=15392600±288.
Two possibilities:
t1=15392888=1924111=523(after simplification),t2=15392312=192439=1483.
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Check domain and original equation
Since 4x and 3x must be in [−1,1], we need ∣x∣≤41.
t1=523≈0.0577 gives x≈±0.240, which is less than 0.25 — okay.
t2=1483≈0.02027 gives x≈±0.142 — also okay.
Now test in the original equation. The sum sin−1(4x)+sin−1(3x) must equal 32π≈2.094.
For t1: x=2133 (positive root). Then 4x≈0.96, sin−1(0.96)≈1.287, 3x≈0.72, sin−1(0.72)≈0.804, sum ≈2.091 — close but check exactly:
Actually 2133=523, so 4x=4523=5248=1312, sin−11312 and 3x=3523=5227=5227. Their sum is not 32π exactly — it fails the original equation because squaring introduced extraneous solutions. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If sin−1(2x)−2cos−11−x2=2π, then tan−1(2x+1)= (A) 6π (B) sin−1x (C) 3π (D) cos−1x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solving the equation leads to 2x2+2x−1=0, so x=23−1 and 2x+1=3; hence tan−1(2x+1)=3π — option (C).
Rearrange the given equation:
sin−1(2x)=2π+2cos−11−x2.
Let θ=cos−11−x2, so cosθ=1−x2. Taking the sine of both sides:
2x=sin(2π+2θ)=cos2θ=2cos2θ−1=2(1−x2)−1=1−2x2.
This gives the quadratic
2x2+2x−1=0⟹x=2−1±3. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.If 2tan−1x=3sin−1x and x=0 then 8x2+1= (A) 13 (B) 5 (C) 7 (D) 17
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to use the identity tan−1x=sin−11+x2x to rewrite the equation in terms of a single inverse trigonometric function, then solve for x and compute 8x2+1, which equals 5.
We are given 2tan−1x=3sin−1x with x=0. The equation mixes two different inverse functions, so we need a common language. A natural bridge is the identity that expresses tan−1x as sin−11+x2x (valid for x≥0; we'll check sign later). This lets us rewrite everything in terms of sin−1 alone, turning the equation into an algebraic one.
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Rewrite tan−1x in terms of sin−1.
For x>0, we have tan−1x=sin−11+x2x.
For x<0, note that tan−1x is negative and sin−1x is also negative, so the same identity holds with a negative argument. We'll proceed algebraically and check consistency at the end.
So the equation becomes:
2sin−11+x2x=3sin−1x.
- Take sine of both sides. Since sin(sin−1t)=t for t∈[−1,1], and both sides are in the range of sin−1, we apply sin:
sin(2sin−11+x2x)=sin(3sin−1x).
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Use double-angle and triple-angle formulas.
Let A=sin−11+x2x and B=sin−1x. Then:
- sin(2A)=2sinAcosA=2⋅1+x2x⋅1−1+x2x2=2⋅1+x2x⋅1+x21=1+x22x.
- sin(3B)=3sinB−4sin3B=3x−4x3.
So the equation reduces to:
1+x22x=3x−4x3.
- Solve for x (with x=0). Since x=0, we can divide both sides by x:
1+x22=3−4x2.
Multiply through by 1+x2:
2=(3−4x2)(1+x2).
Expand:
2=3+3x2−4x2−4x4=3−x2−4x4.
Bring all terms to one side:
0=1−x2−4x4⇒4x4+x2−1=0.
- Solve the quadratic in x2. …
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- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=sin−1(log2(2x2)) is (A) [−2,0)∪(1,2] (B) [−2,−1]∪[1,2] (C) [−1,0]∪[1,2] (D) [1,∞)∪(−2,0)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain is found by requiring the argument of sin−1 to lie in [−1,1] and the argument of log2 to be positive, leading to x∈[−2,−1]∪[1,2], which corresponds to option (B).
Concept & Intuition
We have a composition of three functions: f(x)=sin−1(log2(x2/2)).
- The outermost function, sin−1(u), is defined only when u∈[−1,1].
- Inside that, log2(v) is defined only when v>0.
- The innermost expression is v=x2/2, which is always non‑negative, but we must enforce v>0 for the log.
So the domain is the set of x such that both conditions hold simultaneously. We solve step by step.
- Inner condition: argument of log2 must be positive
2x2>0⟹x2>0⟹x=0.
So x can be any real number except 0.
- Outer condition: argument of sin−1 must be in [−1,1] Let u=log2(2x2). We require
−1≤log2(2x2)≤1.
Since log2 is increasing, we can exponentiate with base 2 (preserving inequalities):
2−1≤2x2≤21.
That is,
21≤2x2≤2.
- Solve the two inequalities
- Left inequality: 2x2≥21⟹x2≥1⟹∣x∣≥1.
- Right inequality: 2x2≤2⟹x2≤4⟹∣x∣≤2. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If A and B are the entire domain and range of the real valued function f(x)=cos−1(2+x22−x2), then A∩B= (A) [0,2) (B) [0,2π) (C) [0,π) (D) (−2π,2π)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain and range of f(x)=cos−1(2+x22−x2) are found by analyzing the inner expression and the inverse cosine function. Their intersection is [0,π), which corresponds to option (C).
The key to this problem is understanding that f(x) is a composition: an inverse trigonometric function applied to a rational expression. To find A (domain) and B (range), you must work from the inside out, respecting the constraints of cos−1.
The inverse cosine function cos−1(t) is defined only for t∈[−1,1], and its output (range) is [0,π]. So the domain A is all x such that 2+x22−x2 lies in [−1,1], and the range B is the set of all possible cos−1 values that actually occur as x varies over A.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Find the domain A. The inner expression is g(x)=2+x22−x2. Since 2+x2>0 for all real x, the denominator never vanishes. We need −1≤g(x)≤1. First, note that g(x) is an even function (replace x with −x gives the same value), so we can consider x≥0 and then include negatives symmetrically. Check the lower bound: g(x)≥−1?
2+x22−x2≥−1⟹2−x2≥−2−x2⟹2≥−2,
which is always true. So the lower bound is automatically satisfied.
Now the upper bound: g(x)≤1?
2+x22−x2≤1⟹2−x2≤2+x2⟹−x2≤x2⟹0≤2x2,
which is also always true (equality at x=0). So g(x) is always between −1 and 1 for every real x.
Therefore, the domain A is all real numbers: A=R.
- Find the range B. Since A=R, the range B is the set of all values f(x)=cos−1(g(x)) as x runs over R. Let’s examine what values g(x) can take. As x→±∞,
g(x)=2+x22−x2=x22+1x22−1→1−1=−1.
At x=0, g(0)=22=1.
Since g(x) is continuous, it takes all values between −1 and 1 as x varies from 0 to ∞ (and symmetrically for negative x). In fact, for x≥0, g(x) decreases from 1 at x=0 to −1 as x→∞, covering every value in (−1,1] exactly once.
So the output of cos−1 is:
- When g=1, cos−1(1)=0.
- When g=−1, cos−1(−1)=π.
- As g runs through all values in (−1,1), cos−1(g) runs through all values in (0,π). …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If the real valued function f(x)=sin−1(x2−1)−3log3(3x−2) is not defined for all x∈(−∞,a]∪(b,∞) then 3a+b2= (A) 5 (B) 6 (C) 3 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain of f is restricted by the arcsine argument x2−1∈[−1,1] and the logarithm argument 3x−2>0; solving these gives x∈(−∞,−2]∪(log32,∞), so a=−2, b=log32, and 3a+b2=3−2+(log32)2, which simplifies to 4 — option (D).
Concept & Intuition
A function defined by a combination of sin−1 and log3 is only meaningful where both component functions are defined.
- sin−1(u) requires u∈[−1,1].
- log3(v) requires v>0.
The problem tells us the function is not defined for x∈(−∞,a]∪(b,∞) — that is exactly the complement of its domain. So the domain is (a,b]. We find a and b by intersecting the conditions, then compute 3a+b2.
Step-by-step solution
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Domain of sin−1(x2−1)
The argument must satisfy −1≤x2−1≤1.
Add 1: 0≤x2≤2.
So ∣x∣≤2, i.e. x∈[−2,2].
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Domain of log3(3x−2)
The argument must be positive: 3x−2>0⟹3x>2⟹x>log32.
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Intersection of the two domains
We need x satisfying both:
x∈[−2,2] and x>log32.
Numerically, 2≈1.414 and log32≈0.6309.
So the intersection is (log32,2].
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Interpret the given “not defined” intervals …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If i=−1 then Arg((1−i)2022(1+i)2025)= (A) 4−π (B) 4π (C) 43π (D) 4−3π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The argument simplifies to 43π because the quotient of powers of 1+i and 1−i reduces to a single complex number whose angle is found by combining the exponents and using the polar forms of the two numbers.
We are asked for the principal argument (the angle in (−π,π]) of
(1−i)2022(1+i)2025.
The key idea: convert 1+i and 1−i to polar form, then use exponent rules to combine them into one complex number whose argument is easy to read.
1. Polar forms of 1+i and 1−i
- 1+i has modulus 12+12=2 and argument 4π (since it lies on the line y=x in the first quadrant). So 1+i=2eiπ/4.
- 1−i has modulus 2 and argument −4π (fourth quadrant). So 1−i=2e−iπ/4.
2. Rewrite the fraction using these forms
(1−i)2022(1+i)2025=(2e−iπ/4)2022(2eiπ/4)2025.
3. Simplify the powers
- Numerator: (2)2025ei⋅2025π/4
- Denominator: (2)2022e−i⋅2022π/4
So the fraction becomes
(2)2025−2022ei(42025π+42022π)=(2)3ei4(2025+2022)π.
4. Combine the exponent
2025+2022=4047, so the angle is 44047π.
5. Reduce the angle modulo 2π
We want the principal argument, so subtract multiples of 2π=48π until the angle lies in (−π,π].
Divide 4047 by 8:
8×506=4048, so 4047=8×506−1.
Thus
44047π=506⋅2π−4π.
Since 506⋅2π is a full multiple of 2π, the effective angle is −4π.
6. But wait — we must also consider the modulus factor
The modulus (2)3=22 is positive, so it does not affect the argument. The complex number is 22e−iπ/4, whose argument is −π/4. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.If x+iy=(2−i)21+7i ; then csc(tan−1xy−4π)= (A) 1 (B) ∞ (C) −1 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem simplifies a complex number to find x and y, then evaluates a trigonometric expression involving tan−1(y/x). The final value is 1, so option (A) is correct.
We start with the given complex number:
x+iy=(2−i)21+7i.
The core idea is to first simplify the right-hand side into the standard form a+ib, so we can read off x and y. Then we compute tan−1(y/x), which gives an angle whose tangent is y/x. Finally, we plug that angle into the cosecant expression.
-
Simplify the denominator
(2−i)2=4−4i+i2=4−4i−1=3−4i.
-
Divide the numerator by this result
3−4i1+7i.
Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, 3+4i:
(3−4i)(3+4i)(1+7i)(3+4i).
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Compute the denominator
(3−4i)(3+4i)=9+16=25.
-
Compute the numerator
(1+7i)(3+4i)=1⋅3+1⋅4i+7i⋅3+7i⋅4i
=3+4i+21i+28i2
=3+25i−28 (since i2=−1)
=−25+25i.
-
So the complex number becomes
x+iy=25−25+25i=−1+i.
Hence x=−1, y=1.
- Find tan−1(y/x)
xy=−11=−1.
The principal value of tan−1(−1) is −π/4. But note: the point (−1,1) lies in the second quadrant (since x negative, y positive). The principal value of tan−1 gives an angle in (−π/2,π/2), which is −π/4 — but that corresponds to the point (−1,−1), not (−1,1).
Watch outA common mistake is to take tan−1(−1)=−π/4 directly without checking the quadrant. For (−1,1), the correct angle is π−π/4=3π/4 (or 135∘). However, the expression tan−1(y/x) in many contest problems is taken as the principal value, so we must be careful. Let's see what the problem intends.
The problem writes tan−1(y/x) without specifying a branch. In standard Indian exam usage, tan−1 denotes the principal value, which lies in (−π/2,π/2). So tan−1(−1)=−π/4.
But then the expression becomes csc(−π/4−π/4)=csc(−π/2)=−1, which is option (C). However, let's check if the intended interpretation uses the actual angle of the complex number.
If we instead take the argument of (−1,i) as 3π/4, then tan−1(y/x) would be 3π/4 (though this is not the principal value). Then the expression becomes csc(3π/4−π/4)=csc(π/2)=1, option (A). …
-
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If the roots of the equation z2−i=0 are α and β, then ∣Argβ−Argα∣= (A) 2π (B) 2π (C) π (D) 4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation z2=i has two square roots whose arguments differ by π (180°), so the absolute difference in their principal arguments is π. The correct option is (C).
We are solving z2−i=0, i.e. z2=i. The roots α and β are the two square roots of i. The question asks for ∣Argβ−Argα∣, the absolute difference between their principal arguments (the angle in [0,2π) or (−π,π] depending on convention; here the magnitude of the difference is what matters).
Concept and intuition:
Every nonzero complex number has exactly two square roots, and they are opposites of each other: if w is one square root, then −w is the other. On the complex plane, multiplying by −1 rotates a point by π radians (180°). Therefore, the arguments of the two roots differ by exactly π. The principal argument of each root might be adjusted to lie in the standard range, but the absolute difference between them remains π. This is independent of which specific square root we label α or β.
Step-by-step reasoning:
- Write i in polar form. The complex number i has modulus 1 and argument 2π (or 90∘). So
i=eiπ/2.
- Find the square roots. For any complex number reiθ, its square roots are rei(θ/2+kπ) for k=0,1. Here r=1, θ=π/2. Thus:
α=ei(π/4)andβ=ei(π/4+π)=ei(5π/4).
(Or the other way around; it doesn’t matter.)
- Identify the principal arguments.
The principal argument Arg is usually taken in (−π,π] or [0,2π). Using (−π,π]:
- Arg(α)=π/4 (since π/4 is within range).
- Arg(β)=5π/4 is outside (−π,π]; subtract 2π to get 5π/4−2π=−3π/4. So Arg(β)=−3π/4. …
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