SHS

Pre-Calculus
Module 16: Inverse Trigonometric Functions
First Edition, 2020

Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Antoniette G. Padua, MTI

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Content Evaluators: Erlinda M. Dela Peña, Ed.D.

Josefina Estela, MT
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, Ph.D., CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D., EPS in Charge of LRMS

Erlinda M. dela Pena, Ed.D., EPS in Charge of Mathematics

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
 This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Target This provides you the skills or competencies you are

expected to learn in the learning material.

Jumpstart This introduces the lesson through varied activities

like an activity, games, graphic organizer, problem
opener, song, or a situation.

Discover This gives a brief discussion of the lesson. It intends

to help you discover and understand new concepts
and skills.

Explore This includes activities for independent practice to

intensify your understanding of the topic and to
harness your skills.

Deepen This provides activities which will encourage you to

apply your new knowledge or skills into real life
situations.

Gauge This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of

mastery in achieving the desired learning
competency.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of resources used in developing this

module

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Jumpstart before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain a deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
 Target

Trigonometric functions are functions that are real functions which relate an
angle of a right-angled triangle to ratios of two side lengths.

In module 4, you have learned about the graphs of the six trigonometric
functions. You have learned about the domain and their range of each of the six
trigonometric functions and have solved problems involving them.

There also exist the inverse of the trigonometric functions. So, in this module,
you will be provided with information and activities that will help you learn about
the inverse of the trigonometric functions. The domain and range of the said
functions, and evaluating them. In addition, you will also learn about solving
trigonometric equations.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate the domain and range of the inverse trigonometric functions
(STEM_PC11T-IIh-1);
2. evaluate an inverse trigonometric expression (STEM_PC11T-IIh-2); and
3. solve trigonometric equations (STEM_PC11T-IIh-i-1)

Before moving on, check how much

you know about this topic. Answer the
pre-test provided below:

PRE-TEST
Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank provided before the
number.
_____ 1. Which among the following is read as inverse of sine x?
⭘
A. sinarc x C. th
݅
B. sin x D. th

1
_____ 2. What is the value of sin x = 1/ 2 using your calculator?
A. B. ݅
C. D.

_____ 3. What is the domain of sin x and cos x?

A. B. C. [ ,
݅ ݅
D. [ -1, 1]

_____ 4. What is the domain of tan x?

A. B. [ ,
݅ ݅
D. [ -1, 1] D. none from the choices

_____ 5. What is the range of sin x and cos x?

A. B. C. [ ,
݅ ݅
D. [ -1, 1]

_____ 6. What is the range of tan x?

A. B. C. [ ,
݅ ݅
D. [ -1, 1]

_____ 7. What is the exact value of in the unit circle?

݅ ݅
A. 0 B. 1 C. ݅
D.

_____ 8. What is the Pythagorean Trigonometric Identity?

A. Sin2x + Cos2x = 0 C. Sin2x + Cos2x = 1
B. Sin2x – Cos2x = 0 D. Sin2x – Cos2x = 1
_____ 9. What is Sine Double-Angle Identity?
A. sin ݅ ݅ th
B. sin ݅ ݅ th
C. sin ݅ ݅ th
݅ th
D. sin ݅

_____ 10. What is the Cosine Double-Angle Identity?

A. Cos (2  ⭘ ݅ sin݅
B. Cos (2x) = cos2x – sin2x
C. Both A & B
D. None from A & B
_____ 11. Write the trigonometric identity tan2x + 1 = sec2x in terms of sine
and cosine.
A. sinx + cos x = 1
B. sinx + cos2x = 1
C. sin2xcos2x = 1
D. sin2x + cos2x = 1

2
_____ 12. In Figure A, what is the value of angle x?
A. 30.100 Figure A
B. 35.100
C. 40.100
D. 45.100
_____ 13. How do you write the inverse of sin x = ½?
A. Sin-1 (½) = x C. sin-1 (-½) = x
B. Sin-1 (x) = ½ D. Sin-1 (-x) = ½
_____ 14. What is the domain and range of the f(y) = sin-1x?
A. Domain:  ; Range [ ݅ ݅

B. Domain: [ ݅ ݅
; Range 

C. Domain: ⭘ ⭘ ; Range [ ݅ ݅

D. Domain: [ ݅ ݅
; Range ⭘ ⭘

_____ 15. What is the exact value of tan-1 ( ?

A. 1 B. C. ݅
D.

3
 Module Inverse Trigonometric
16 Functions

Figure 1. Finding the Angle of Elevation Using

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Inverse Trigonometric Function is an important concept taken in

Trigonometry. It is an important concept particularly in Engineering, Architecture,
Navigation and many more.

In module 4, you have learned about the trigonometric functions, using the
angle of a triangle to find a value of the unknown lengths. In this module, you learn
⭘ ⭘ ⭘
about inverse trigonometric functions sin cos and tan which are used to
find the unknown measure of an angle of a right triangle when two side lengths are
known.

Shown in Figure 1, Inverse Trigonometric Functions is used in finding the

angle of elevation if the horizontal distance is known or the height of the building is
known.

4
 Jumpstart

Let’s begin! To be able to understand the

lesson well, do the following activity.

Activity 1. Trigonometric Function and Inverse Trigonometric Function

Set your calculator into radian mode before filling up the table below.
Compare the values on column 1 and column 2.
Inverse Trigonometric
Trigonometric Functions Functions

Sin x = y Sin-1 x = y
x y x y
-π 0 -π
-1
݅ ݅
0 0 0
1
݅ ݅
π 0 π

Cos x = y Cos-1 x = y
x y x y
-π -1 -π

݅ 0
݅
0 1 0
0
݅ ݅
π -1 π

Tan x = y Tan-1 x = y
x y x y
-π -1
⭘
-݅ -0.463
݅
0 0 0
⭘ 0.463
݅ ݅
π 1

Question: 1. What have you observed from the values from Column A with
Column B?
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

5
 Discover

Lesson 1: Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Expressions

Let’s start with the terms and symbols which will be used in this module.
⭘
th is read as Sine inverse or inverse of Sine. This can also be written as
⭘
arcsin. is read as Cosine inverse or inverse of Cosine. This can also be written
⭘
as arccos. h is read as Tangent inverse or inverse of Tangent. This can also be
written as arctan.
Throughout Lesson 1, these terms for the inverses of trigonometric functions
shall be alternately used.
Next, let’s talk about turning a trigonometric function into its inverse.
Examples. Write the inverse of the following trigonometric functions:
1. Sin x = y ; its inverse function is: 脐
or arcsin y = x.
⭘ 脐 脐 脐
2. Sin x = ݅
; its inverse function is: or arcsin .

Try to re-write the following trigonometric functions into inverse functions.

3. Cos =x

4. Tan x =
(After re-writing, check your answer at the right bottom part of the next page)

To be able to visualize the inverse of a trigonometric function, its domain

and range, let us compare the given tables and the graphs the three trigonometric
functions Sine, Cosine and Tangent.
For y = Sin x; Domain: (-∞, ∞); Range: [-1, 1]

y = Sin x
x y
-π 0

-1
݅
0 0
1
݅
π 0
Figure 2. Graph of y = Sin x

6
 For 脐 (x),
脐
(x)
Domain: [-1, 1] ;
x y
0 -π To be able to consider
it a function (one-to-
-1 one), the range should
݅
be restricted.
0 0
1
Range:
݅ ݅ ݅

0 π

Figure 3. Graph of th ⭘ (x)

For y = Cos x; Domain: (-∞, ∞); Range: [-1, 1]

y = Cos x
x y
-π -1

0
݅
0 1
0
݅
π -1

Figure 4. Graph of y = Cos x

脐
 For 脐 ,

x y Domain: [-1, 1] ;
-1 -π
To be able to consider
0 it a function (one-to-
݅ one), the range should
1 0 be restricted.
0
݅ Range: t
-1 π ݅

Figure 5.
Graph of
⭘ 

7
 For y = tan x; Domain: h ݅
h ; Range: (-∞, ∞)
y = tan x
x y
-π -1

undefined
݅
0 1

undefined
݅
π -1

Figure 6. Graph of y = Tan x

脐
h
x y
-1

⭘
-݅ -0.463

0 0
⭘ 0.463
݅
Figure 7.
Graph of
1
h ⭘

For h 脐 , Domain: (-∞, ∞); No restriction because all values of x have

only one value for y so, Range: ݅ ݅

.

The graphs of the trigonometric functions and their inverses are illustrated
from the figures. The graphs of the trigonometric functions are actually reflected at
x = y for their inverses. Take note that the domain and the range should follow the
one-to-one rule to make it work as a function.
Moving on to finding the exact value of inverse trigonometric expressions.
Example: Find the exact value of the following inverse trigonometric
expressions.
⭘ ⭘
1. th ݅

Using the calculator, you can find the value of x by typing;

⭘
shift -> sin -> ݅
-> = answer, tt or in radians, ,

so, x = tt or in radians, .

8
 To be consistent, set your calculator into radian mode.
⭘
Try reversing the process, if you are to find the value ݅
, use your calculator
⭘
and type; sin -> 300 -> = answer, ݅
.

This means that you are actually finding the measure of the angle when you
take the inverse of a value.
⭘
2. h

Use again your calculator to by typing shift -> Tan -> -> =
answer, .

3. arcos cos

Remember evaluating first what is inside the parenthesis? That goes for
this example too. Evaluate first what is inside the parenthesis.
݅
= arccos ݅
=
݅
4. tan (arccos ݅
)
݅
First, arccos ݅
= , then tan =1

⭘
5.

This is the same as h so the answer is .

Try finding the exact value of the following expressions:

⭘ ⭘
6. sin th ݅
⭘
7. cos ( ᦙ th ݅
)
݅t
8. arccot (sin )

(check your answer at the right bottom part of the next page)

Moving on to evaluating inverse trigonometric expressions.

Example: Evaluate the following inverse trigonometric expressions.
⭘ ݅ ⭘ ⭘
1. Simplify: th th ݅

Solution:
⭘ ⭘
We know that ݅
= , Note:
Sine Sum Identity
⭘ ݅ sin sin
So, th th
th
using the Sine Sum Identity, we have:
⭘ ݅ ⭘ ݅
= sin th  cos + cos th  sin

9
 ݅ ⭘ ݅
= ݅
+ cos th  sin
⭘ ⭘ ݅
= + cos th  ݅
⭘ ⭘ ݅
= + ݅
cos th 
⭘ ݅ ݅
Getting th , this means th and this means that lies on

Quadrant I.
Using Pythagorean identity, we have: Note:
݅ Pythagorean Identity
cos th  = cos = ⭘ sin݅
⭘ th݅ ݅

݅ ݅
= ⭘ =

⭘ ⭘ ݅
Going back to = + ݅
cos th ,
⭘ ⭘ ⭘ ݅ ⭘
= + ݅
= + = Answer

⭘
2. Simplify: sin ݅ .
⭘
Getting , this means that cos .

Using Pythagorean identity, we have:

݅
sin ⭘ cos݅ = ⭘ =

Using Sine Double-Angle Identity,

Note:
we have: Sine Double-Angle Identity
sin ݅ ݅ th
⭘
sin ݅ = sin 2

= 2 sin
݅
=2 = ݅
Answer

Before you do the above mentioned solutions, try using your calculator first.
If you can get values in fraction form then go ahead and use your calculator to
evaluate the given inverse trigonometric functions. But if not, find a way with the
use of trigonometric identities to have an exact result for the given expressions.
Try simplifying the following:
⭘ ⭘ ⭘ ⭘
3. sin th ݅ ݅


⭘ ⭘
4. cos h th ݅


(check your answer at the right bottom

part of the next page)

10
Lesson 2. Solving Trigonometric Equations
In finding the solving trigonometric equations, you should find all the
possible solutions for the given equation.
Let’s start with a simple example:
Examples: Find the solution for the following trigonometric equations:
1. ⭘ ݅ cos t
Solution: ݅ cos ⭘
⭘ ⭘⭘
cos ݅
-> cos ݅
xx =

Using the unit circle (see Annex A on page 15), you can find out that the

value of angles for Cos x = ½ is not just but also .

So, the solutions are: x= ,

2. sin ݅ sin
݅ ݅
Solution: 2 sin x = ݅ -> sin
݅
-> sin-1 ݅
=x

x= and (check Annex A)

3. 觐 csc csc
Solution: Transpose csc x to the other side of the equations.
觐 csc csc t ; then factor out csc x
csc sec ⭘ t ; then find the roots.
csc x = 0 sec x – 1 = 0
sec x = 1
csc-1 0 = x sec-1 0 = x
same as sin-1 0 = x same as cos-1 0 = x
x=0 x=0
Therefore, there is only one solution, x = 0.
4. 2 cos2 x + cos x – 1 = 0
Solution: Treat this like quadratic equation then factor.
(2cos x – 1) (cos x + 1) = 0 ; then find the roots.
2cos x – 1 = 0 cos x + 1 = 0
cos x = ½ cos x = -1
⭘ ⭘
cos ݅
x cos-1 (-1) = x

x= , x=

Therefore, there are three solutions,

Answers: (from page 10)
x= , , . (check Annex A) 3. 1 4. 1

11
Try finding the value of x in the following trigonometric equations:
5. sin2 x – 1 = 0 ; clue, factor first.
6. 3tan x + =0
(check your answer at the right bottom part of the next page)

Let’s level it up a bit.

Examples: Find the solution for the following trigonometric equations:
7. sin2 x – cos2 x = 0
Solution: Use Pythagorean Identity, change sin2x into 1-cos2x.
1 – cos2 x – cos2 x = 0 Note:
1 – 2cos2 x = 0 Pythagorean Identity
⭘ th݅ ݅

-2cos2 x = -1
⭘
cos2 x = ݅
; take the square root of both side of the equation.

⭘ ⭘
cos x = ݅
-> cos x = ݅
; rationalize.

݅
cos x = ݅
݅
cos-1 ݅
=x ; use the unit circle.

x= , , ,

8. tan2x – 2cosx = 0
Solution: Use Quotient Identity
sin ݅ Note:
cos ݅
– 2cosx = 0 ; multiply both side Sine Double-Angle
Identity
with cos2x
sin ݅ ݅ th
sin2x - 2cosx cos2x = 0; Use Double-Angle Cosine Double-Angle
Identities for Identity
Cos (2  ⭘ ݅ sin݅
Sine and Cosine
2sinx cosx – 2cosx (1- 2sin2x) = 0 ; factor out 2cosx
2cosx (sin x – (1 – 2sin2x)) = 0 ; simplifying further,
2cosx (sin x – 1 + 2sin2x) = 0 ; rearranging the terms,
2cosx (2sin2x + sinx – 1) = 0 ; factoring what is inside the
parenthesis,
2cos x (2sinx -1) (sinx + 1) = 0 ; finding the roots,
2cos x = 0 2sinx – 1 = 0 sinx + 1 = 0
cos x = 0 sin x = ½ sinx = -1
cos-1 0 = x sin-1 (½) = x sin-1 (-1) = x

12
 x= ݅
, ݅
x= , x= ݅
, ݅

Therefore, the solutions are: x= ݅

, ݅
, , , ݅
, ݅

Try finding the solutions for the following trigonometric equation:

9. cos2x + cosx = sin2x
(check your answer at the right bottom part of this page)

For your references of what you need for the solutions on Trigonometric
Equation, Annex A is provided below.

Annex A. Unit Circle.

From the given values below: P(x) = (cos x, sin x); x is an angle.

Answers. (from page 12)

5. x = ݅ ݅ ݅
⭘⭘
6. x= , , ,

Answers: (from page 13)

9. x = , ,

13
 Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work

on to master and strengthen the basic concepts you
have learned from this lesson.

Lesson 1.
Enrichment Activity 1. Do What is Asked
Answer the following Activities below:
Activity 1. Simplify the expressions.

1. sin-1 (cos )

2. cos-1 (csc )
⭘ ⭘
3. sin (2sin-1݅ tan 

Activity 2. Solve for the value of x in the following trigonometric equations.

1. 2cosx – ݅ = 0
2. cos2 2x = sin2 x
3. csc2 x – csc x – 2 = 0

Lesson 2.
Enrichment Activity 1. Apply What You Have Learned!
A trough is in the shape of an inverted triangular prism whose cross section
has the shape of an inverted isosceles triangle (see Figure below). If the length of
the base of the cross section is ݅ meters and the length of the trough is ⭘tt
meters, find the size of the vertex angle so that the volume is 900 m3.
Hint: V = bhl/2.

14
 Deepen

You are an Architecture student in a prestigious school. You are task to

illustrate in detail the following situation with all the dimensions needed (not
necessarily in scale). One dimension though is missing in the situation, the angle of
depression. To be able to know one of the needed dimensions, you should solve for
the missing angle in the given problem.

A lighthouse at sea level is 34 mi from a boat. It is known that the top of the
lighthouse is 42:5 mi from the boat and that ᦙ , where x is the horizontal
distance, r is the distance of the top of the lighthouse from the boat, and is the
angle of depression from the top of lighthouse. Find .

Solve the value of :

Illustration:

15
Rubrics:
Criteria 5 3 1
Details The drawing The drawing The drawing did
perfectly depicted haphazardly not depict the
the illustration of depicted the illustration of the
the lighthouse, illustration of the lighthouse, sea,
sea, boat and lighthouse, sea, boat and
dimensions in boat and dimensions in
detail. dimensions in detail.
detail.
Neatness The illustration is The illustration is The illustration is
very neat and somewhat neat not neat and not
pleasing to the and pleasing to pleasing to the
eye. the eye. eye.
Creativity The illustration is The illustration is The illustration is
creatively done somewhat creatively done
showing effort creatively done showing effort
from the student showing less effort from the student
architect. from the student architect.
architect.
Over-all impact The illustration The illustration The illustration
shows perfectly shows did not show what
what is needed haphazardly what is needed from the
from the task and is needed from the task.
shows an example task and shows an
of a very good example of a
architect. somewhat good
architect.

16
 Gauge

_____ 1. How do you write the inverse of sin x = ½?

C. Sin-1 (½) = x C. sin-1 (-½) = x
D. Sin-1 (x) = ½ D. Sin-1 (-x) = ½
_____ 2. What is the domain and range of the f(y) = sin-1x?
E. Domain:  ; Range [
݅ ݅

F. Domain: [ ݅ ݅
; Range 

G. Domain: ⭘ ⭘ ; Range [ ݅ ݅

H. Domain: [ ݅ ݅
; Range ⭘ ⭘

_____ 3. What is the exact value of tan-1 ( ?

B. 1 B. C. ݅
D.

_____ 4. What is the exact value of sin (cos-1 (½))?

݅ ݅
A. ݅
B. ݅
C. D.

_____ 5. What is the exact value of arccos [cos (23 /4)]?

A. B. ݅
C. D.
⭘ ⭘
_____ 6. What is the exact value of sin sin cos
⭘
?

A. 25/33 B. 33/65 C. 33/70 D. 34/65

______ 7. What is the exact value of tan [2tan-1 (-1)]?
A. -1 B. 0 C. 1 D. undefined
݅
_____ 8. What is the value of x in the equation, cos x = ݅
?

A. B. ݅
C. D.

_____ 9. What is the value of x in the equation, 4sin2 – 1 = 0?

⭘⭘ ⭘⭘
A. ݅
, ݅ ݅
h᜙ ݅
C. , h᜙
⭘⭘ ⭘⭘
B. , h᜙ D. , h᜙

_____ 10. What is the value of x in the equation, tan x – cot x = 0?

A. ݅
and ݅
C. h᜙

B. and D. h᜙

17
_____ 11. What is the value of x in the equation, tan2x = 1-secx?

A. t ݅
and ݅
C. t h᜙

B. t and D. t h᜙

______ 12. What is x in the equation sin-1(x2 - 2x) = ݅

?

A. 1 B. 0 C. -1 D. undefined
______ 13. What is the value of x in the equation, tan sec ?
⭘⭘
A. ݅
B. C. D. none from the choices

______ 14. What is the value of x of sin x – cos x = 0 in the interval [0, 1800)?
A. 300 B. 450 C. 600 D. 900
______ 15. An architect is doing a survey using his Theodolite. He found out that he
is standing 450 meters from the building and the building is 645
meters from the ground. What is the angle of elevation the architect
must have observed from his surveying tool? Refer to Figure A as the
illustration for the problem.

Figure A
A. 50.100 B. 50.970 C. 55.100 D. 55.970

18
19
PRE-TEST
1. C
2. D
3. A
4. D
5. D
6. A
7. C
8. C
9. A
10.C
11.D
12. D
13. A
14. C
15. D
Answer Key
References
Printed Materials

Department of Education Republic of the Philippines. (2016). Precalculus Learner’s

Material (First Edition). Sunshine Interlinks Publishing House, Inc. Quezon
City, Philippines

Department of Education Republic of the Philippines. (2016). Precalculus Teacher’s

Guide (First Edition). Sunshine Interlinks Publishing House, Inc. Quezon City,
Philippines

Websites
Inverse Trigonometric Functions by Varsity Tutors © 2007 at
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/inverse-
trigonometric-
functions#:~:text=The%20inverse%20trigonometric%20functions%20sin,two
%20side%20lengths%20are%20known. Retrieved October 10, 2020

Master how to determine the domain and range of the inverse trigonometric
equations. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIELpwkmTJw,
retrieved October 20, 2020

TRIGONOMETRY Solving Trigonometric Equations in Filipino. From

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2gy6J8WPsw, retrieved October 20,
2020

TRIGONOMETRY: Solving Trigonometric Equations using the Identities in Filipino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGjTOQUQpD4, retrieved October 25,
2020

Applications of Inverse Trigonometric Functions. From

https://www.ck12.org/c/trigonometry/applications-of-inverse-
trigonometric-functions/lesson/Applications-of-Inverse-Trigonometric-
Functions-TRIG/, Retrieved October 28, 2020

20