WTW 114 Lesson 25

Presented by Dr. Schwanke

Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

University of Pretoria

1st Semester 2025

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Try This Activity Before We Begin!

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Try This Activity Before We Begin!

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
When you reflect the graph of a function f : A → B over the line
y = x,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
When you reflect the graph of a function f : A → B over the line
y = x, and the reflection is the graph of a function

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
When you reflect the graph of a function f : A → B over the line
y = x, and the reflection is the graph of a function with domain B
and comdomain A,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
When you reflect the graph of a function f : A → B over the line
y = x, and the reflection is the graph of a function with domain B
and comdomain A, then the “reflected function” is called the
inverse of f ,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
When you reflect the graph of a function f : A → B over the line
y = x, and the reflection is the graph of a function with domain B
and comdomain A, then the “reflected function” is called the
inverse of f , and is denoted f −1 : B → A.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
However, if f : A → B is not injective, the reflection will not be the
graph of a function!

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
However, if f : A → B is not injective, the reflection will not be the
graph of a function!

Injectivity matters!

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
Moreover, if f : A → B is not surjective,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
Moreover, if f : A → B is not surjective, the reflection, even if it is
a function,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
Moreover, if f : A → B is not surjective, the reflection, even if it is
a function, will not have domain B!

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
Moreover, if f : A → B is not surjective, the reflection, even if it is
a function, will not have domain B!

Surjectivity matters!

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
A function f : A → B has an inverse function f −1 : B → A

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
A function f : A → B has an inverse function f −1 : B → A if and
only if

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
A function f : A → B has an inverse function f −1 : B → A if and
only if f is bijective.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
If f is bijective and f (x) = y ,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
If f is bijective and f (x) = y , then f −1 (y ) = x.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function. If f is
differentiable at x

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function. If f is
differentiable at x and f ′ (x) ̸= 0,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function. If f is
differentiable at x and f ′ (x) ̸= 0, then f −1 is differentiable at
y = f (x),

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function. If f is
differentiable at x and f ′ (x) ̸= 0, then f −1 is differentiable at
y = f (x), and
1
(f −1 )′ (y ) = ′ .
f (x)

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function. If f is
differentiable at x and f ′ (x) ̸= 0, then f −1 is differentiable at
y = f (x), and
1
(f −1 )′ (y ) = ′ .
f (x)

Note we can also write this as

1
(f −1 )′ (y ) =  .
f ′ f −1 (y )

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem: (Inverse Function Theorem)
Let I be an interval and f : I → Cf be a bijective function. If f is
differentiable at x and f ′ (x) ̸= 0, then f −1 is differentiable at
y = f (x), and
1
(f −1 )′ (y ) = ′ .
f (x)

Note we can also write this as

1
(f −1 )′ (y ) =  .
f ′ f −1 (y )

Also note that x is often used instead of y :

1
(f −1 )′ (x) =  .
f ′ f −1 (x) upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Suppose f : R → R is bijective.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Suppose f : R → R is bijective. Suppose also that f (2) = 6,
f (6) = 11, f ′ (2) = 3, and f ′ (6) = 15.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Suppose f : R → R is bijective. Suppose also that f (2) = 6,
f (6) = 11, f ′ (2) = 3, and f ′ (6) = 15. Find (f −1 )′ (6).

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Suppose f : R → R is bijective. Suppose also that f (2) = 6,
f (6) = 11, f ′ (2) = 3, and f ′ (6) = 15. Find (f −1 )′ (6).

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

 h π πi
Define f : − , → [−1, 1] by f (x) = sin x.
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

 h π πi
Define f : − , → [−1, 1] by f (x) = sin x. Draw the graph of
2 2
this function. Is this function bijective? (If yes, then it has an
inverse function!)

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
h π πi
If f : − , → [−1, 1] is defined by f (x) = sin x,
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
h π πi
If f : − , → [−1, 1] is defined by f (x) = sin x, then
2 2 h
π πi
f −1 : [−1, 1] → − , is given by f −1 (x) = arcsin x.
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
h π πi
If f : − , → [−1, 1] is defined by f (x) = sin x, then
2 2 h
π πi
f −1 : [−1, 1] → − , is given by f −1 (x) = arcsin x.
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Let’s fill out Quadrant IV of the unit circle with negative angles:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arcsin y is an angle

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arcsin y is an angle

arcsin y = θ

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arcsin y is an angle

arcsin y = θ

This means two things:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arcsin y is an angle

arcsin y = θ

This means two things:

h π πi
1. θ ∈ − , ,
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arcsin y is an angle

arcsin y = θ

This means two things:

h π πi
1. θ ∈ − , , and
2 2
2. sin θ = y .

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  1
Since sin = ,
6 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π   
1 1
Since sin = , we know that arcsin
6 2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π   
1 1 π
Since sin = , we know that arcsin = .
6 2 2 6

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π   
1 1 π
Since sin = , we know that arcsin = .
6 2 2 6

Fill in the blank:

√ !
3
arcsin − =
2

arcsin (1) =

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
The domain of f (x) = arcsin x is [−1, 1].

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Find the domain of f (x) = arcsin(2x − 7).

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Find the domain of f (x) = arcsin(2x − 7).

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Compute arcsin 2.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Compute arcsin 2.

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arcsin x is continuous on its domain.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arcsin x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arcsin x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1),

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arcsin x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1), arcsin is continuous at a,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arcsin x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1), arcsin is continuous at a,

2. arcsin is right continuous at −1, and

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arcsin x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1), arcsin is continuous at a,

2. arcsin is right continuous at −1, and

3. arcsin is left continuous at 1.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
d   1
arcsin x = √
dx 1 − x2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
d   1
arcsin x = √
dx 1 − x2

* This formula holds only for x ∈ (−1, 1).

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Define f : [0, π] → [−1, 1] by f (x) = cos x.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Define f : [0, π] → [−1, 1] by f (x) = cos x. Draw the graph of this
function. Is this function bijective? (If yes, then it has an inverse
function!)

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
If f : [0, π] → [−1, 1] is defined by f (x) = cos x,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
If f : [0, π] → [−1, 1] is defined by f (x) = cos x, then
f −1 : [−1, 1] → [0, π] is given by f −1 (x) = arccos x.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
If f : [0, π] → [−1, 1] is defined by f (x) = cos x, then
f −1 : [−1, 1] → [0, π] is given by f −1 (x) = arccos x.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arccos x is an angle

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arccos x is an angle

arccos x = θ

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arccos x is an angle

arccos x = θ

This means two things:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arccos x is an angle

arccos x = θ

This means two things:

1. θ ∈ [0, π],

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
arccos x is an angle

arccos x = θ

This means two things:

1. θ ∈ [0, π], and

2. cos θ = x.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  √
3
Since cos = ,
6 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  √ √ !
3 3
Since cos = , we know that arccos
6 2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  √ √ !
3 3 π
Since cos = , we know that arccos = .
6 2 2 6

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  √ √ !
3 3 π
Since cos = , we know that arccos = .
6 2 2 6

Fill in the blank:

 
1
arccos − =
2

arccos (1) =

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
The domain of f (x) = arccos x is [−1, 1].

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π
Compute arccos .
3

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π
Compute arccos .
3

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
  π 
Compute arccos cos − .
6

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arccos x is continuous on its domain.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arccos x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arccos x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1),

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arccos x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1), arccos is continuous at a,

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arccos x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1), arccos is continuous at a,

2. arccos is right continuous at −1, and

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arccos x is continuous on its domain.

Said differently:

1. for all a ∈ (−1, 1), arccos is continuous at a,

2. arccos is right continuous at −1, and

3. arccos is left continuous at 1.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
d   1
arccos x = − √
dx 1 − x2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
d   1
arccos x = − √
dx 1 − x2

*This formula only holds for x ∈ (−1, 1).

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

  π π
Define f : − , → R by f (x) = tan x.
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

  π π
Define f : − , → R by f (x) = tan x. Draw the graph of this
2 2
function. Is this function bijective? (If yes, then it has an inverse
function!)

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
 π π
If f : − , → R is defined by f (x) = tan x,
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
 π π
If f : − , → R is defined by f (x) = tan x, then
2 2
π π
f −1 : R → − , is given by f −1 (x) = arctan x.
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
 π π
If f : − , → R is defined by f (x) = tan x, then
2 2
π π
f −1 : R → − , is given by f −1 (x) = arctan x.
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
y
arctan is an angle
x

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
y
arctan is an angle
x
y
arctan =θ
x

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
y
arctan is an angle
x
y
arctan =θ
x
This means two things:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
y
arctan is an angle
x
y
arctan =θ
x
This means two things:
 π π
1. θ ∈ − , ,
2 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Remark:
y
arctan is an angle
x
y
arctan =θ
x
This means two things:
 π π
1. θ ∈ − , , and
2 2
y
2. tan θ = .
x

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π 
Since tan = 1,
4

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π 
Since tan = 1, we know that arctan (1)
4

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  π
Since tan = 1, we know that arctan (1) = .
4 4

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
π  π
Since tan = 1, we know that arctan (1) = .
4 4
Fill in the blank:
 
1
arctan − √ =
3

arctan (0) =

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
The domain of f (x) = arctan x is R.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Draw the graph of f (x) = arctan x.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
Draw the graph of f (x) = arctan x.

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
π
lim arctan x =
x→∞ 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
π
lim arctan x =
x→∞ 2
π
lim arctan x = −
x→−∞ 2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arctan x is continuous on R.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
f (x) = arctan x is continuous on R.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
d   1
arctan x =
dx 1 + x2

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Theorem:
d   1
arctan x =
dx 1 + x2

This formula holds for all x ∈ R.

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
d  
Compute arcsin(x + e x ) .
dx

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Example:
d  
Compute arcsin(x + e x ) .
dx

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Recap Activity:
Compute f ′ (x) given f (x) = arctan(arctan x).

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

Recap Activity:
Compute f ′ (x) given f (x) = arctan(arctan x).

Answer:

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25

The End

Next time: Implicit Differentiation!

upemblam.jpg

Presented by Dr. Schwanke Lesson 25