21
Learning Objectives
- Find the derivatives of the sine and cosine function.
- Find the derivatives of the standard trigonometric functions.
- Calculate the higher-order derivatives of the sine and cosine.
One of the most important types of motion in physics is simple harmonic motion, which is associated with such systems as an object with mass oscillating on a spring. Simple harmonic motion can be described by using either sine or cosine functions. In this section we expand our knowledge of derivative formulas to include derivatives of these and other trigonometric functions. We begin with the derivatives of the sine and cosine functions and then use them to obtain formulas for the derivatives of the remaining four trigonometric functions. Being able to calculate the derivatives of the sine and cosine functions will enable us to find the velocity and acceleration of simple harmonic motion.
Derivatives of the Sine and Cosine Functions
We begin our exploration of the derivative for the sine function by using the formula to make a reasonable guess at its derivative. Recall that for a function
Consequently, for values of very close to 0, . We see that by using ,
By setting and using a graphing utility, we can get a graph of an approximation to the derivative of ( (Figure) ).
Upon inspection, the graph of appears to be very close to the graph of the cosine function. Indeed, we will show that
If we were to follow the same steps to approximate the derivative of the cosine function, we would find that
The Derivatives of and
The derivative of the sine function is the cosine and the derivative of the cosine function is the negative sine.
Proof
Because the proofs for and use similar techniques, we provide only the proof for . Before beginning, recall two important trigonometric limits we learned in Introduction to Limits :
The graphs of and are shown in (Figure) .
We also recall the following trigonometric identity for the sine of the sum of two angles:
Now that we have gathered all the necessary equations and identities, we proceed with the proof.
(Figure) shows the relationship between the graph of and its derivative . Notice that at the points where has a horizontal tangent, its derivative takes on the value zero. We also see that where is increasing, and where is decreasing, .
Differentiating a Function Containing
Find the derivative of .
Solution
Using the product rule, we have
After simplifying, we obtain
Find the derivative of
Hint
Don’t forget to use the product rule.
Solution
Finding the Derivative of a Function Containing
Find the derivative of .
Solution
By applying the quotient rule, we have
Simplifying, we obtain
Find the derivative of .
Hint
Use the quotient rule.
Solution
An Application to Velocity
A particle moves along a coordinate axis in such a way that its position at time is given by for . At what times is the particle at rest?
Solution
To determine when the particle is at rest, set . Begin by finding . We obtain
so we must solve
The solutions to this equation are and . Thus the particle is at rest at times and .
A particle moves along a coordinate axis. Its position at time is given by for . At what times is the particle at rest?
Hint
Use the previous example as a guide.
Solution
Derivatives of Other Trigonometric Functions
Since the remaining four trigonometric functions may be expressed as quotients involving sine, cosine, or both, we can use the quotient rule to find formulas for their derivatives.
The Derivative of the Tangent Function
Find the derivative of .
Solution
Start by expressing as the quotient of and :
Now apply the quotient rule to obtain
Simplifying, we obtain
Recognizing that , by the Pythagorean Identity, we now have
Finally, use the identity to obtain
Find the derivative of .
Hint
Rewrite as and use the quotient rule.
Solution
The derivatives of the remaining trigonometric functions may be obtained by using similar techniques. We provide these formulas in the following theorem.
Derivatives of , and
The derivatives of the remaining trigonometric functions are as follows:
Finding the Equation of a Tangent Line
Find the equation of a line tangent to the graph of at .
Solution
To find the equation of the tangent line, we need a point and a slope at that point. To find the point, compute
Thus the tangent line passes through the point . Next, find the slope by finding the derivative of and evaluating it at :
Using the point-slope equation of the line, we obtain
or equivalently,
Finding the Derivative of Trigonometric Functions
Find the derivative of
Solution
To find this derivative, we must use both the sum rule and the product rule. Using the sum rule, we find
In the first term, , and by applying the product rule to the second term we obtain
Therefore, we have
Find the derivative of .
Hint
Use the rule for differentiating a constant multiple and the rule for differentiating a difference of two functions.
Solution
Find the slope of the line tangent to the graph of at .
Hint
Evaluate the derivative at .
Solution
Higher-Order Derivatives
The higher-order derivatives of and follow a repeating pattern. By following the pattern, we can find any higher-order derivative of and .
Finding Higher-Order Derivatives of
Find the first four derivatives of .
Solution
Each step in the chain is straightforward:
Analysis
Once we recognize the pattern of derivatives, we can find any higher-order derivative by determining the step in the pattern to which it corresponds. For example, every fourth derivative of equals , so
For , find .
Hint
See the previous example.
Solution
Using the Pattern for Higher-Order Derivatives of
Find .
Solution
We can see right away that for the 74th derivative of , so
For , find .
Hint
Solution
An Application to Acceleration
A particle moves along a coordinate axis in such a way that its position at time is given by . Find and . Compare these values and decide whether the particle is speeding up or slowing down.
First find : . Thus, . Next, find . Thus, and we have . Since and , we see that velocity and acceleration are acting in opposite directions; that is, the object is being accelerated in the direction opposite to the direction in which it is travelling. Consequently, the particle is slowing down.
A block attached to a spring is moving vertically. Its position at time is given by . Find and . Compare these values and decide whether the block is speeding up or slowing down.
Hint
Use (Figure) as a guide.
Solution
and . The block is speeding up.
Key Concepts
- We can find the derivatives of and by using the definition of derivative and the limit formulas found earlier. The results are
and .
- With these two formulas, we can determine the derivatives of all six basic trigonometric functions.
Key Equations
- Derivative of sine function
- Derivative of cosine function
- Derivative of tangent function
- Derivative of cotangent function
- Derivative of secant function
- Derivative of cosecant function
For the following exercises, find for the given functions.
1.
Solution
2.
3.
Solution
4.
5.
Solution
6.
7.
Solution
8.
9.
Solution
10.
For the following exercises, find the equation of the tangent line to each of the given functions at the indicated values of . Then use a calculator to graph both the function and the tangent line to ensure the equation for the tangent line is correct.
11. [T]
Solution
12. [T]
13. [T]
Solution
14. [T]
15. [T]
16. [T]
For the following exercises, find for the given functions.
17.
Solution
18.
19.
Solution
20.
21.
Solution
22.
23. Find all values on the graph of where the tangent line is horizontal.
Solution
, where is an integer
24. Find all values on the graph of for where the tangent line has a slope of 2.
25. Let . Determine the point(s) on the graph of for where the tangent line is parallel to the line .
Solution
26. [T] A mass on a spring bounces up and down in simple harmonic motion, modeled by the function where is measured in inches and is measured in seconds. Find the rate at which the spring is oscillating at s.
27. Let the position of a swinging pendulum in simple harmonic motion be given by . Find the constants and such that when the velocity is 3 cm/s, and .
Solution
28. After a diver jumps off a diving board, the edge of the board oscillates with position given by cm at seconds after the jump.
- Sketch one period of the position function for .
- Find the velocity function.
- Sketch one period of the velocity function for .
- Determine the times when the velocity is 0 over one period.
- Find the acceleration function.
- Sketch one period of the acceleration function for .
29. The number of hamburgers sold at a fast-food restaurant in Pasadena, California, is given by where is the number of hamburgers sold and represents the number of hours after the restaurant opened at 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., when the store closes. Find and determine the intervals where the number of burgers being sold is increasing.
Solution
, increasing on , and
30. [T] The amount of rainfall per month in Phoenix, Arizona, can be approximated by , where is the number of months since January. Find and use a calculator to determine the intervals where the amount of rain falling is decreasing.
For the following exercises, use the quotient rule to derive the given equations.
31.
32.
33.
34. Use the definition of derivative and the identity
to prove that .
For the following exercises, find the requested higher-order derivative for the given functions.
35. of
36. of
37. of
Solution
38. of
39. of
Solution
40. of . Notation: is the 24th derivative of .
41. of
Solution
For the following exercises, determine the limits. Use the fact that , and .
42.
43.
Solution
44.
45.
Solution
46.
47.