Solving for sin & cos of -1 ∞: Answers & Explanation

In summary, the inverse tangent function has a limit of pi/2 as x approaches infinity, but the inverse sine and cosine functions do not have limits as x approaches infinity. The domain for inverse sine is typically [-pi/2, pi/2], and the domain for inverse cosine is typically [0, pi]. These intervals are chosen to make the functions one-to-one. The symbol \infty can be used as shorthand for infinity, but it also has more rigorous meanings in geometric and analytic contexts.
  • #1
intenzxboi
98
0
this isn't homework just wanted to know what the values are.

tan -1 (infinity) = pi/2
tan-1 (0) = 0

what is sin -1 infinty and cos -1 infinity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Looks like LaTeX isn't working again.

intenzxboi said:
this isn't homework just wanted to know what the values are.

tan -1 (infinity) = pi/2
tan-1 (0) = 0
The second one is correct, but not the first one. What you can say, though, is that
lim(x -->infinity) tan-1(x) = pi/2

The domain of the inverse tangent function is all real numbers, but neither -infinity nor infinity is included in that set.
intenzxboi said:
what is sin -1 infinty and cos -1 infinity?
The domain for sin-1(x) is usually taken as [-pi/2, pi/2], and the domain for cos-1(x) is usually taken as [0, pi]. These intervals are chosen to make these function one-to-one, which a function has to be in order for it to have an inverse.

Unline tan-1(x), neither the inverse sine nor inverse cosine have limits as x approaches infinity, so the answer to your last questions is that they aren't anything.
 
  • #3
o ok thanks so only tan-1 (x) as x goes to infinty is pi/2
 
  • #4
That is the simplest way to think of it. Using the symbol [itex]\infty[/itex] is often useful shorthand for the same thing. It can also be put on a sound rigorous footing geometrically (projective space) or analytically (Riemann sphere), but that requires using spaces strictly larger than the real (or complex) numbers.
 

FAQ: Solving for sin & cos of -1 ∞: Answers & Explanation

What is the value of sin and cos of -1 ∞?

The value of sin and cos of -1 ∞ is undefined as infinity is not a specific value and cannot be plugged into the sine and cosine functions.

Can we solve for sin and cos of -1 ∞?

No, it is not possible to solve for the values of sin and cos of -1 ∞ as infinity is not a real number and cannot be used in mathematical equations.

Why is the value of sin and cos of -1 ∞ undefined?

The value of sin and cos of -1 ∞ is undefined because infinity is not a specific value and cannot be plugged into the sine and cosine functions, which require a real number as input.

Is -1 ∞ a valid input for the sine and cosine functions?

No, -1 ∞ is not a valid input for the sine and cosine functions as infinity is not a real number and cannot be used in mathematical equations.

What would happen if we tried to calculate sin and cos of -1 ∞?

If we tried to calculate sin and cos of -1 ∞, we would get an error as infinity is not a specific value and cannot be used in mathematical equations. The result would be undefined.

Back
Top