# 1. Derivatives of the Sine, Cosine and Tangent Functions

by M. Bourne

It can be shown from first principles that:

(d(sin x))/(dx)=cos x

(d(cos x))/dx=-sin x

(d(tan x))/(dx)=sec^2x

Explore animations of these functions with their derivatives here:

In words, we would say:

The derivative of sin x is cos x,
The derivative of cos x is −sin x (note the negative sign!) and
The derivative of tan x is sec2x.

Now, if u = f(x) is a function of x, then by using the chain rule, we have:

(d(sin u))/(dx)=cos u(du)/(dx)

(d(cos u))/dx=-sin u(du)/(dx)

(d(tan u))/(dx)=sec^2u(du)/(dx)

### Example 1

Differentiate y = sin(x^2 + 3).

### Example 2

Find the derivative of y = cos 3x^4.

### Example 3

Differentiate y = cos^3 2x

### Example 4

Find the derivative of y = 3 sin 4x + 5 cos 2x^3.

Continues below

## Exercises

1. Differentiate y = 4 cos (6x2 + 5).

2. Find the derivative of y = 3 sin3 (2x4 + 1).

3. Differentiate y = (x − cos2x)4.

4. Find the derivative of:

y=(2x+3)/(sin 4x)

5. Differentiate y = 2x sin x + 2 cos xx2cos x.

6. Find the derivative of the implicit function

x cos 2y + sin x cos y = 1.

7. Find the slope of the line tangent to the curve of

y=(2 sin 3x)/x

where x = 0.15

8. The current (in amperes) in an amplifier circuit, as a function of the time t (in seconds) is given by

i = 0.10 cos (120πt + π/6).

Find the expression for the voltage across a 2.0 mH inductor in the circuit, given that

V_L=L(di)/(dt)

9. Show that y = cos3x tan x satisfies

cos x(dy)/(dx)+3y sin x-cos^2x=0

10. Find the derivative of y = x tan x