Trigonometric Functions

MathsDirect

You saw in the First Principles Tutorial, that the derivative of sin x is

This, and the derivatives of the other main trig functions are standard and may be quoted.

You will find them in the formula book, but you should try to learn them, as this will make solving problems much easier. The main derivatives are given below.

The chain rule can be applied to all the trigonometric functions. Two examples are given below.

	Define u Differentiate u and y separately. Combine the results and remove u.
	Remember that this means all cubed. Define u. Differentiate u and y separately. Combine the results and remove the u.

This is clearly a tedious procedure. The main results from using the chain rule on trig functions are standard and can therefore be quoted. The main results are given below.

Go to Examples

Return to Differentiation Tutorial Contents