powered by Google (TM)
index: click on a letter
A B C D E
F G H  I  J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Z A to Z index
index: subject areas
numbers & symbols
sets, logic, proofs
geometry
algebra
trigonometry
advanced algebra
& pre-calculus
calculus
advanced topics
probability &
statistics
real world
applications
multimedia
entries
about mathwords  
website feedback  


Inverse Cosine
cos-1
Cos-1
arccos
Arccos

The inverse function of cosine.

Basic idea: To find cos-1 (½), we ask "what angle has cosine equal to ½?" The answer is 60°. As a result we say cos-1 (½) = 60°. In radians this is cos-1 (½) = π/3.

More: There are actually many angles that have cosine equal to ½. We are really asking "what is the simplest, most basic angle that has cosine equal to ½?" As before, the answer is 60°. Thus cos-1 (½) = 60° or cos-1 (½) = π/3.

Details: What is cos-1 (–½)? Do we choose 120°, –120°, 240°, or some other angle? The answer is 120°. With inverse cosine, we select the angle on the top half of the unit circle. Thus cos-1 (–½) = 120° or cos-1 (–½) = 2π/3.

In other words, the range of cos-1 is restricted to [0, 180°] or [0, π].

Note: arccos refers to "arc cosine", or the radian measure of the arc on a circle corresponding to a given value of cosine.

Technical note: Since none of the six trig functions sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent are one-to-one, their inverses are not functions. Each trig function can have its domain restricted, however, in order to make its inverse a function. Some mathematicians write these restricted trig functions and their inverses with an initial capital letter (e.g. Cos or Cos-1). However, most mathematicians do not follow this practice. This website does not distinguish between capitalized and uncapitalized trig functions.

 

 

See also

Inverse trigonometry, inverse trig functions, interval notation

 


  this page updated 15-jul-23
Mathwords: Terms and Formulas from Algebra I to Calculus
written, illustrated, and webmastered by Bruce Simmons
Copyright © 2000 by Bruce Simmons
All rights reserved
NCTM Web Bytes December 2004 Web Bytes March 2005 Web Bytes