Summary of Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

Essential Concepts

  • We can find the derivatives of sinx and cosx by using the definition of derivative and the limit formulas found earlier. The results are
    ddxsinx=cosx  and  ddxcosx=sinx.
  • With these two formulas, we can determine the derivatives of all six basic trigonometric functions.

Key Equations

  • Derivative of sine function
    ddx(sinx)=cosx
  • Derivative of cosine function
    ddx(cosx)=sinx
  • Derivative of tangent function
    ddx(tanx)=sec2x
  • Derivative of cotangent function
    ddx(cotx)=csc2x
  • Derivative of secant function
    ddx(secx)=secxtanx
  • Derivative of cosecant function
    ddx(cscx)=cscxcotx