Last updated on August 5th, 2025
In trigonometry, the arccotangent is the inverse function of the cotangent. It is used to find the angle whose cotangent is a given number. In this topic, we will learn the formula for arccot.
Arccotangent, abbreviated as arccot, is the inverse function of the cotangent.
Let’s learn the formula to calculate arccot and how it is used.
The arccotangent function is used to determine the angle whose cotangent equals a specified value.
The formula is: Arccot(x) = π/2 - arctan(x) for x > 0 Arccot(x) = -π/2 - arctan(x) for x < 0 Arccot(0) is undefined.
The arccot function has specific properties that define its behavior:
- It is a decreasing function.
- The range of arccot is (0, π) for real numbers.
- Arccot is undefined for x = 0.
The graph of the arccot function is a reflection of the arctan function across the y-axis and is defined for all real numbers except zero.
The graph decreases from π to 0 as x moves from negative infinity to positive infinity.
In mathematics and real-life applications, the arccot formula is important for solving trigonometric equations and modeling periodic phenomena.
- Used in calculus for integration involving inverse trigonometric functions.
- Useful in physics and engineering for calculating angles in waveforms and oscillations.
Understanding and memorizing arccot can be challenging. Here are some tips:
- Remember that arccot is the inverse of cotangent.
- Use the relationship between arccot and arctan: Arccot(x) = π/2 - arctan(x).
- Practice with graphs to visualize the function's behavior.
Students often make errors when calculating arccot. Here are some mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Find the arccot of 1?
The arccot of 1 is π/4
Since arccot(x) = π/2 - arctan(x), Arccot(1) = π/2 - arctan(1) = π/2 - π/4 = π/4
Find the arccot of -1?
The arccot of -1 is 3π/4
Since arccot(x) = π/2 - arctan(x), Arccot(-1) = π/2 - arctan(-1) = π/2 - (-π/4) = 3π/4
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