Skip to main content
Logo image

Coordinated Calculus

Nathan Wakefield, Christine Kelley, Marla Williams, Michelle Haver, Lawrence Seminario-Romero, Robert Huben, Aurora Marks, Stephanie Prahl, Based upon Active Calculus by Matthew Boelkins

Section 2.2 The Sine and Cosine Functions

Supplemental Videos.

The main topics of this section are also presented in the following videos:
  • Derivative Rules
     7 
    unl.yuja.com/V/Video?v=7114281&node=34303303&a=105426423&autoplay=1
Throughout Chapter 2, we will develop shortcut derivative rules to help us bypass the limit definition and quickly compute \(f'(x)\) from a formula for \(f(x)\text{.}\) In Section 2.1, we stated the rule for power functions:
\begin{equation*} \text{if}~ f(x) = x^n,~ \text{then}~ f'(x) = nx^{n-1}\text{,} \end{equation*}
and the rule for exponential functions:
\begin{equation*} \text{if}~ a ~ \text{is a positive real number and}~ f(x) = a^x,~ \text{then}~ f'(x) = a^x \ln(a)\text{.} \end{equation*}
In this section, we will use a graphical argument to conjecture derivative formulas for the sine and cosine functions.

Subsection 2.2.1 The Sine and Cosine Functions

The sine and cosine functions are among the most important functions in all of mathematics. These periodic functions play a key role in modeling repeating phenomena such as tidal elevations, the behavior of an oscillating mass attached to a spring, or the location of a point on a bicycle tire. Like polynomial and exponential functions, the sine and cosine functions are considered basic functions, ones that are often used in building more complicated functions. As such, we would like to know formulas for \(\frac{d}{dx} [\sin(x)]\) and \(\frac{d}{dx} [\cos(x)]\text{,}\) and the next two examples lead us to that end.

Example 2.25.

Consider the function \(f(x) = \sin(x)\text{,}\) with the graph of \(y=f(x)\) shown below in Figure 2.26. Note that the grid in the diagram does not have boxes that are \(1 \times 1\text{,}\) but rather approximately \(1.57 \times 1\text{,}\) as the horizontal scale of the grid is \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) units per box.
Figure 2.26. The graph of \(y = f(x)\text{,}\) for \(f(x) = \sin(x)\text{.}\)
  1. At each of \(x = -2\pi, -\frac{3\pi}{2}, -\pi, -\frac{\pi}{2}, 0, \frac{\pi}{2}, \pi, \frac{3\pi}{2}, 2\pi\text{,}\) use a straightedge to sketch an accurate tangent line to \(y = f(x)\) .
  2. Use the provided grid to estimate the slope of the tangent line you drew at each point. Pay careful attention to the scale of the grid.
  3. Use the limit definition of the derivative to estimate \(f'(0)\) by using small values of \(h\text{,}\) and compare the result to your visual estimate for the slope of the tangent line to \(y = f(x)\) at \(x = 0\) in (b). Using periodicity, what does this result suggest about \(f'(2\pi)\text{?}\) About \(f'(-2\pi)\text{?}\)
  4. Based on your work in (a), (b), and (c), sketch an accurate graph of \(y = f'(x)\) on the interval \(-2\pi\le x\le 2\pi\text{.}\)
  5. What familiar function do you think is the derivative of \(f(x) = \sin(x)\text{?}\)
Hint.
  1. It’s very important to use a straightedge for accuracy.
  2. First determine the slopes that appear to be zero. Then estimate \(f'(0)\) carefully using the grid. Use symmetry and periodicity to help you estimate other nonzero slopes on the graph.
  3. \(f'(0) \approx \frac{\sin(h)}{h}\) for small values of \(h\text{.}\)
  4. Recall that \(y\)-coordinates on the graph of \(y=f'(x)\) come from slopes on the graph of \(y=f(x)\text{.}\)
  5. It might be reasonable to expect that the derivative of a trigonometric function is another trigonometric function.
Answer.
  2. \(1,0,-1,0,1,0,-1,0,1\text{.}\)
  3. \(f'(0) = f'(-2\pi) = f'(2\pi) = 1\text{.}\)
  5. \(\frac{d}{dx}[\sin(x)] = \cos(x)\text{.}\)
Figure 2.27. At left, the graph of \(y = f(x)\text{,}\) where \(f(x) = \sin(x)\text{.}\) At right, the graph of \(y=f'(x)\text{.}\)
Solution.
  1. See Figure 2.28 below.
  2. Reading left to right from \(-2\pi\) to \(2\pi\) with stepsize \(\pi/2\text{,}\) the respective slopes of tangent lines appear to be \(1,0,-1,0,1,0,-1,0,1\text{.}\)
  3. From the limit definition,
    \begin{align*} f'(0) =\mathstrut \amp \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(0 + h) - f(0)}{h}\\ =\mathstrut \amp \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(0 + h) - \sin(0)}{h}\\ =\mathstrut \amp \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(h)}{h}\text{.} \end{align*}
    Because we cannot simplify the fraction \(\frac{\sin(h)}{h}\) any further algebraically, we estimate the value of the limit using small values of \(h\text{.}\) Doing so, it appears that \(\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(h)}{h} = 1\text{,}\) and thus \(f'(0) = 1\text{.}\) This matches the estimate generated visually by sketching the tangent line at \((0,f(0))\text{.}\) Finally, by the periodicity of the sine function, we expect the value of the derivative at 0 to match the derivative value at \(-2\pi\) and \(2\pi\text{.}\)
  4. See the figure below.
  5. It appears that \(\frac{d}{dx}[\sin(x)] = \cos(x)\text{.}\)
Figure 2.28. At left, the graph of \(y = f(x)\text{,}\) where \(f(x) = \sin(x)\text{.}\) At right, the graph of \(y=f'(x)\text{.}\)

Example 2.29.

Consider the function \(g(x) = \cos(x)\text{,}\) with the graph of \(y=g(x)\) shown below in Figure 2.30. Note that the grid in the diagram does not have boxes that are \(1 \times 1\text{,}\) but rather approximately \(1.57 \times 1\text{,}\) as the horizontal scale of the grid is \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) units per box.
Figure 2.30. The graph of \(y = g(x)\text{,}\) where \(g(x) = \cos(x)\text{.}\)
  1. At each of \(x = -2\pi, -\frac{3\pi}{2}, -\pi, -\frac{\pi}{2}, 0, \frac{\pi}{2}, \pi, \frac{3\pi}{2}, 2\pi\text{,}\) use a straightedge to sketch an accurate tangent line to \(y = g(x)\) .
  2. Use the provided grid to estimate the slope of the tangent line you drew at each point. Again, note the scale of the axes and grid.
  3. Use the limit definition of the derivative to estimate \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\) by using small values of \(h\text{,}\) and compare the result to your visual estimate for the slope of the tangent line to \(y = g(x)\) at \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\) in (b). Using periodicity, what does this result suggest about \(g'\big(-\frac{3\pi}{2}\big)\text{?}\) Can symmetry on the graph help you estimate other slopes easily?
  4. Based on your work in (a), (b), and (c), sketch an accurate graph of \(y = g'(x)\) on the interval \(-2\pi\le x\le2\pi\text{.}\)
  5. What familiar function do you think is the derivative of \(g(x) = \cos(x)\text{?}\)
Hint.
  1. It’s very important to use a straightedge for accuracy.
  2. First determine the slopes that appear to be zero. Then estimate \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\) carefully using the grid. Use symmetry and periodicity to help you estimate other nonzero slopes on the graph.
  3. \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big) \approx \frac{\cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2}+h\big)}{h}\) for small values of \(h\) .
  4. Recall that \(y\)-coordinates on the graph of \(y=g'(x)\) come from slopes on the graph of \(y=g(x)\text{.}\)
  5. It might be reasonable to expect that the derivative of a trigonometric function is another trigonometric function.
Answer.
  2. \(0,-1,0,1,0,-1,0,1,0\text{.}\)
  3. \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)=g'\big(-\frac{3\pi}{2}\big)=-1\text{.}\)
  5. \(\frac{d}{dx}[\cos(x)] = -\sin(x)\text{.}\)
Figure 2.31. At left, the graph of \(y = g(x)\text{,}\) where \(g(x) = \cos(x)\text{.}\) At right, the graph of \(y = g'(x)\)
Solution.
  1. See Figure 2.32 below.
  2. Reading left to right from \(-2\pi\) to \(2\pi\) with stepsize \(\pi/2\text{,}\) the respective slopes of tangent lines appear to be \(0,-1,0,1,0,-1,0,1,0\text{.}\)
  3. From the limit definition,
    \begin{align*} g'\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) =\mathstrut \amp \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{g\big(\frac{\pi}{2} + h\big) - g\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)}{h}\\ =\mathstrut \amp \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2} + h\big) - \cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)}{h}\\ =\mathstrut \amp \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2}+h\big)}{h} \end{align*}
    Because we cannot simplify the fraction \(\frac{\cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2}+h\big)}{h}\) any further algebraically, we estimate the value of the limit using small values of \(h\text{.}\) Doing so, it appears that \(\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2}+h\big)}{h} = -1\text{,}\) and thus \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big) = -1\text{.}\) This matches the estimate generated visually by sketching the tangent line at \(\big(\frac{\pi}{2},g\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\big)\text{.}\) Finally, by the periodicity of the cosine function, we expect the value of the derivative at \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) to match the derivative value at \(-\frac{3\pi}{2}\text{.}\)
  5. It appears that \(\frac{d}{dx}[\cos(x)] = -\sin(x)\) .
Figure 2.32. At left, the graph of \(y = g(x) = \cos(x)\text{.}\) At right, the graph of \(y = g'(x)\)
The results of the two preceding examples suggest that the sine and cosine functions not only have beautiful connections such as the identities \(\sin^2(x) + \cos^2(x) = 1\) and \(\cos\big(x - \frac{\pi}{2}\big) = \sin(x)\text{,}\) but that they are even further linked through calculus, as the derivative of each involves the other. The following rules summarize the results of the examples.
 8 
These two rules may be formally proved by using the limit definition of the derivative and the expansion identities for \(\sin(x+h)\) and \(\cos(x+h)\text{.}\)

Derivative of Sine and Cosine Functions.

For all real numbers \(x\text{,}\)
\begin{equation*} \frac{d}{dx} [\sin(x)] = \cos(x) \ \ \text{and} \ \ \frac{d}{dx} [\cos(x)] = -\sin(x) \end{equation*}
.
We have now added the sine and cosine functions to our library of basic functions whose derivatives we know. The constant multiple and sum rules still hold, of course, as well as all of the inherent meaning of the derivative.

Example 2.33.

Answer each of the following questions. Where a derivative is requested, be sure to label the derivative function with its name using proper notation.
  1. Determine the derivative of \(h(t) = 3\cos(t) - 4\sin(t)\text{.}\)
  2. If \(f(x)=2x+\frac{\sin(x)}{2}\text{,}\) find the exact slope of the tangent line to the graph of \(y = f(x)\) at the point where \(x = \frac{\pi}{6}\text{.}\)
  3. If \(g(x)=x^2+2\cos(x)\text{,}\) find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of \(y = g(x)\) at the point where \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\text{.}\)
  4. Determine the derivative of \(p(z) = z^4 + 4^z + 4\cos(z) - \sin\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\text{.}\)
  5. The function \(P(t) = 24 + 8\sin(t)\) represents a population of a particular kind of animal that lives on a small island, where \(P\) is measured in hundreds and \(t\) is measured in decades since January 1, 2010. What is the instantaneous rate of change of \(P\) on January 1, 2030? What are the units of this quantity? Write a sentence in everyday language that explains how the population is behaving at this point in time.
Hint.
  1. Recall the constant multiple and sum rules.
  2. \(f'\big(\frac{\pi}{6}\big)\) tells us the slope of the tangent line at \(\big(\frac{\pi}{6},f\big(\frac{\pi}{6}\big)\big)\text{.}\)
  3. Find both \(\big(\frac{\pi}{2}, g\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\big)\) and \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\) .
  4. Note that \(\sin\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\) is a constant.
  5. \(P'(a)\) tells us the instantaneous rate of change of \(P\) with respect to time at the instant \(t = a\text{,}\) and its units are “units of \(P\) per unit of time.”
Answer.
  1. \(\frac{dh}{dt} = -3\sin(t) - 4\cos(t)\text{.}\)
  2. \(2+\frac{\sqrt3}4\text{.}\)
  3. \(y - \frac{\pi^2}{4} = (\pi-2)\big(x-\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\text{.}\)
  4. \(p'(z) = 4z^3 + 4^z \ln(4) - 4\sin(z)\text{.}\)
  5. \(P'(2) = 8\cos(2) \approx -3.329\) hundred animals per decade.
Solution.
  1. By the sum and constant multiple rules,
    \begin{equation*} \frac{dh}{dt} = 3(-\sin(t)) - 4(\cos(t)) = -3\sin(t) - 4\cos(t) \end{equation*}
    .
  2. The exact slope of the tangent line to the graph of \(y = f(x)\) at \(x = \frac{\pi}{6}\) is given by \(f'\big(\frac{\pi}{6}\big)\text{.}\) So, we first compute \(f'(x)\text{.}\) Since \(f(x)=2x+\frac{\sin(x)}{2}\text{,}\) we may use the sum and constant multiple rules to find \(f'(x) = 2 + \frac{1}{2}\cos(x)\text{.}\) Thus
    \begin{equation*} f'\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right) = 2 + \frac{1}{2} \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right) = 2 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \end{equation*}
    .
  3. The tangent line to \(y=g(x)\) at \(x=\frac{\pi}2\) passes through the point \(\big(\frac{\pi}{2}, g\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\big)\) with slope \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\text{.}\) We observe first that \(g\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big) = \big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)^2 + 2\cos\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big) = \frac{\pi^2}{4}\text{.}\) Next, we compute the derivative function, \(g'(x)\text{,}\) and find that
    \begin{align*} g'(x)=\mathstrut \amp \frac{d}{dx}[x^2]+2\frac{d}{dx}[\cos(x)]\\ =\mathstrut \amp [2x]+2[-\sin(x)]\\ =\mathstrut \amp 2x - 2\sin(x)\text{.} \end{align*}
    Thus \(g'\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big) = 2 \cdot \frac{\pi}{2} - 2 \sin\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big) = \pi - 2\text{.}\) Hence, the equation of the tangent line (in point-slope form) is given by
    \begin{equation*} y - \frac{\pi^2}{4} = (\pi-2)\left(x-\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \end{equation*}
    .
  4. We first use the power rule to find \(\frac{d}{dz}[z^4]=4z^3\text{.}\) We then use the rule for exponential functions to find \(\frac{d}{dz}[4^z]=4^z\ln(4)\text{,}\) and the rule for cosine and constant multiples to compute \(\frac{d}{dz}[4\cos(z)]=4[-\sin(z)]=-4\sin(z)\text{.}\) Finally, using the sum rule and noting that \(\sin\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)\) is a constant, we have
    \begin{equation*} p'(z) = 4z^3 + 4^z \ln(4) - 4\sin(z) \end{equation*}
    .
  5. The value of \(P'(2)\) will tell us the instantaneous rate of change of \(P\) at the instant two decades have elapsed. Observe that \(P'(t) = 8\cos(t)\text{,}\) and thus \(P'(2) = 8\cos(2) \approx -3.329\) hundred animals per decade. This tells us that the instantaneous rate of change of \(P\) on January 1, 2030 is about \(-333\) animals per decade, which tells us that the animal population is shrinking moderately at this point in time. We might say that for whatever the population is on January 1, 2030, we expect that population to drop by about 333 animals over the next ten years if the current population trend continues.

Subsection 2.2.2 Summary

  • By carefully analyzing the graphs of \(y = \sin(x)\) and \(y = \cos(x)\text{,}\) and by using the limit definition of the derivative at select points, we found that \(\frac{d}{dx} [\sin(x)] = \cos(x)\) and \(\frac{d}{dx} [\cos(x)] = -\sin(x)\text{.}\)
  • We note that all previously encountered derivative rules still hold and may now also be applied to functions involving the sine and cosine. All of the established meaning of the derivative applies to these trigonometric functions as well.

Exercises 2.2.3 Exercises

1. Compute the Derivative.

If \(f(x) = 7 \sin x + 6 \cos x\text{,}\) then
\(f'(x) =\)

2. Compute the Derivative.

Differentiate \(\displaystyle f(x) = 9 x^2 - 2 \cos x.\)
Answer: \(\displaystyle f'(x) =\)

3. Derivative Computation and Evaluation.

Let
\begin{equation*} f(x) = 2 \sin x + 10 \cos x \end{equation*}
\(f'(x) =\)
\(f'( \frac { 5 \pi } {3} ) =\)

4. Find the Tangent Line.

Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve \(y = 2 \sin x\) at the point \(( \pi/6 , 1)\text{.}\)
The equation of this tangent line can be written in the form \(y = mx+b\) where
\(m =\)
and \(b =\)

5. Find the Tangent Line.

Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve \(y=x - 4 \cos{x}\) at the point \((0,-4)\text{.}\)
\(y =\)

6. Finding Tangent and Normal Lines.

Find the equations of the tangent line and normal lines to the graph of the function \(f(x) = 4 \sin x\) at \(x = \pi/2\text{.}\)
a) Tangent line:
  • x =
  • y =
b) Normal line:
  • x =
  • y =

7. Horizontal Tangent Lines.

For what values of \(x\) in \([0, 2\pi]\) does the graph of \(f(x)=x+2\sin{x}\) have a horizontal tangent?
List the values of \(x\) below. Separate multiple values with commas.
\(x=\)

8. Making Two Graphs Tangent For Specific Values.

If \(k\geq 1\text{,}\) the graphs of \(y=\sin x\) and \(y=ke^{-x}\) intersect for \(x\geq 0\text{.}\) Find the smallest value of \(k\) for which the graphs are tangent.
\(k =\)
What are the coordinates of the point of tangency?
\(x =\) , \(y =\) .

9. An Elastic Band.

An elastic band is hung on a hook and a mass is hung on the lower end of the band. When the mass is pulled downward and then released, it vibrates vertically.
The equation of motion is \(s(t)=2\cos{t}+3\sin{t}, \; t\geq 0\text{,}\) where \(s\) is measured in centimeters and \(t\) in seconds. (We take the positive direction to be downward.)
(a) Find the velocity function.
(b) When does the mass pass through the equilibrium position for the first time?
(c) How far from its equilibrium position does the mass travel?
**For parts (b) and (c), round your answer to the nearest hundredth.
\(v(t) =\)
\(t=\) sec
\(d=\) cm

10. Analyzing the Value of an Investment.

Suppose that \(V(t) = 24 \cdot 1.07^t + 6 \sin(t)\) represents the value of a person’s investment portfolio in thousands of dollars in year \(t\text{,}\) where \(t = 0\) corresponds to January 1, 2010.
  1. At what instantaneous rate is the portfolio’s value changing on January 1, 2012? Include units on your answer.
  2. Determine the value of \(V''(2)\text{.}\) What are the units on this quantity and what does it tell you about how the portfolio’s value is changing?
  3. On the interval \(0 \le t \le 20\text{,}\) graph the function \(V(t) = 24 \cdot 1.07^t + 6 \sin(t)\) and describe its behavior in the context of the problem. Then, compare the graphs of the functions \(A(t) = 24 \cdot 1.07^t\) and \(V(t) = 24 \cdot 1.07^t + 6 \sin(t)\text{,}\) as well as the graphs of their derivatives \(A'(t)\) and \(V'(t)\text{.}\) What is the impact of the term \(6 \sin(t)\) on the behavior of the function \(V(t)\text{?}\)

11. Differentiating Sine and Cosine.

Let \(f(x) = 3\cos(x) - 2\sin(x) + 6\text{.}\)
  1. Determine the exact slope of the tangent line to \(y = f(x)\) at the point where \(a = \frac{\pi}{4}\text{.}\)
  2. Determine the equation of the tangent line to \(y = f(x)\) at the point where \(a = \pi\text{.}\)
  3. At the point where \(a = \frac{\pi}{2}\text{,}\) is \(f\) increasing, decreasing, or neither?
  4. At the point where \(a = \frac{3\pi}{2}\text{,}\) does the tangent line to \(y = f(x)\) lie above the curve, below the curve, or neither? How can you answer this question without even graphing the function or the tangent line?

12. Understanding the Derivatives of Sine and Cosine.

In this exercise, we explore how the limit definition of the derivative more formally shows that \(\frac{d}{dx}[\sin(x)] = \cos(x)\text{.}\) Letting \(f(x) = \sin(x)\text{,}\) note that the limit definition of the derivative tells us that
\begin{equation*} f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(x+h) - \sin(x)}{h} \end{equation*}
.
  1. Recall the trigonometric identity for the sine of a sum of angles \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\text{:}\) \(\sin(\alpha + \beta) = \sin(\alpha)\cos(\beta) + \cos(\alpha)\sin(\beta)\text{.}\) Use this identity and some algebra to show that
    \begin{equation*} f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(x)(\cos(h)-1) + \cos(x)\sin(h)}{h} \end{equation*}
    .
  2. Next, note that as \(h\) changes, \(x\) remains constant. Explain why it therefore makes sense to say that
    \begin{equation*} f'(x) = \sin(x) \cdot \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\cos(h) -1 }{h} + \cos(x) \cdot \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(h)}{h} \end{equation*}
    .
  3. Finally, use small values of \(h\) to estimate the values of the two limits in (c):
    \begin{equation*} \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\cos(h) - 1}{h} \ \ \text{and} \ \ \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sin(h)}{h} \end{equation*}
    .
  4. What do your results in (b) and (c) thus tell you about \(f'(x)\text{?}\)
  5. By emulating the steps taken above, use the limit definition of the derivative to argue convincingly that \(\frac{d}{dx}[\cos(x)] = -\sin(x)\text{.}\)
PrevTopNext
Feedback