Identities with Inverse
Functions
Group: AD
Course: MTH1207 Fundamental
Mathematics
Date: 27th April, 2025
Introduction
Topic: Identities with Inverse
Objective: E𝑥plain the concept, real-
Functions
world applications, and demonstrate
examples
What are Inverse
Functions?
Identities with inverse functions are equations that
show how a function and its inverse undo each
other, especially for trigonometric functions.
The inverse trigonometric functions sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹,
and tan⁻¹ are used to find the unknown measure
of the angle of a right-angled triangle when you
are aware of the two side lengths.
Key Identities
Sin (sin⁻¹(𝑥)) =
Cos (cos⁻¹(𝑥)) = 𝑥
Tan (tan⁻¹(𝑥)) = 𝑥
sin⁻¹ (sin(𝑥)) = 𝑥 (for ∈ [-])
cos⁻¹ (cos(𝑥)) = 𝑥 (for ∈ [0, ])
Real-World E𝑥ample: GPS
Navigation
trigonometric functions; to find your e𝑥act location, the system uses
In GPS navigation, satellites calculate distances and angles using
inverse functions like sin⁻¹ or cos⁻¹.
Scenario:
When a GPS satellite tries to locate a car or phone, it calculates the
height of the satellite above the ground based on distances. Sometimes,
it knows the ratio between the height and the direct distance, which is
the sine of the angle.
Given: A GPS system knows that sin(𝜃)= 0.5
sin(θ) = 0.5
Using the inverse function (sin-1):
θ= sin⁻¹ (0.5)
θ =30o
The satellite signal forms a 30o angle with the ground at that position.
Without inverse, we couldn't easily find that angle.
Real-World E𝑥ample:
Sound Engineering
Inverse functions are used in sound engineering to calculate
the original sound wave from recorded data, When engineers
design speakers or record music, the sound waves are
modeled using cosine waves. If a certain vibration measures a
cosine value, they need to find the original angle of the wave
to analyze the sound properly.
Scenario: A sound recording system outputs a cosine signal
value of 0.7. Find the original angle of the sound wave.
Using the inverse function: (cos-1)
θ= cos-1 (0.7)
θ= 45.57o
o
The sound wave is approximately 45.57 ahead of the reference
Real-World E𝑥ample: Medical
Imaging (CT scans and MRIs)
CT & MRI machines collect signal data, and by applying
inverse functions, in which doctors can reconstruct and view
the original image of the inside of the body. In CT scans, the
machines measure how much the body blocks or bends the
tissue structure is measured, and doctors need the e𝑥act
signal. Sometimes, the tangent of the angle related to the
angle for imaging.
Scenario: In a CT scan, a signal with tangent value 1.732 is
recorded.
Using the inverse function: (tan-1). Find the original angle
related to the body slice.
Given: tan(θ)= 1.732
θ= tan−1 (1.732) = θ= 60∘
∘
The structure inside the body forms a 60
Real-World E𝑥ample:
Cybersecurity (Encryption
and Decryption)
In cybersecurity, when you send sensitive information (like
your password or bank details), it’s encrypted, which means
the data is scrambled using a mathematical function. To
decode (decrypt) the information back to its original form
safely, inverse functions are used.
Suppose an encryption function transforms your data into a
complicated value using a mathematical rule, like a
𝜃=sin−1(Encrypted Value)
trigonometric function: Apply the inverse sine function:
Given: If the system receives an encrypted value of 0.6428
then, θ= sin−1 (0.6428)
θ= 40∘
Using inverse functions allows computers
to reverse the scrambling and recover your
Why are Inverse Functions
Important?
Inverse functions are important in the real world because they
allow us to work backwards to find original inputs from known
outputs. Whenever we know the result of a process but need
to find what caused it, we use inverse functions. They are
crucial in fields like engineering, navigation, medicine,
technology, and finance where reversing calculations helps
solve real-world problems, make accurate decisions, and
recover original information safely.
In satellite navigation systems (like Google Maps), GPS devices
measure distances between you and satellites. the system
uses inverse trigonometric functions like sin−1 or cos−1 to
calculate the original angles.
In sound engineering, sound travels in waves modeled by sine
and cosine functions. They use inverse functions like cos−1 to
find these starting angles and make sure music sounds perfect
and balanced.
Why are Inverse Functions
Important?
In cybersecurity, when you send a message online, it’s scrambled or
encrypted using complex math. On the other end, to read your
original message, the system must reverse the process. This is done
using inverse functions. Without inverse functions, safe online
banking, shopping, or messaging would not be possible.
Machines like CT scans or MRIs send waves into the body and collect
data about how those waves bend or bounce back. To rebuild an
accurate picture of what’s inside (like organs, bones), doctors apply
inverse functions like tan−1 to find the real angles and shapes.
They make it possible to see inside the body without surgery.
In robotics, machines like robotic arms must move with extreme
precision for example, to assemble parts on a factory line, perform
surgery, or pick up tiny objects; inverse functions allow machines to
calculate the exact angles they need to move safely, quickly, and
precisely. The end of a robotic arm reaches a certain height and
distance which demonstrates relationships that involve sin−1 and
cos−1 .
Conclusion
In this presentation, we’ve explored how inverse functions are
identities, like sin (sin⁻¹(𝑥)) = and cos (cos⁻¹(𝑥)) = 𝑥, allow us
essential for solving real-world problems. Inverse function
to find the original input of a function when we know the
output. By restricting the range of values, these identities
provide one correct solution every time. From finding locations
with GPS, creating clear medical images with CT scans,
improving sound quality in engineering, securing online data
with encryption, to guiding robots with precision, inverse
functions are used in many important fields. Understanding
and applying these functions is crucial because they help us
solve complex problems in practical and everyday situations.
These inverse functions give us a reliable way to reverse
mathematical processes.
References:
GeeksforGeeks. (2025, April 23). Inverse trigonometric
identities. GeeksforGeeks.
[Link]
s/
Libretexts. (2024, April 25). 6.1: Inverse trigonometric
functions. Mathematics LibreTexts.
[Link]
e/MTH_165_College_Algebra_MTH_175_Precalculus/06%3A_An
alytic_Trigonometry/6.01%3A_Inverse_Trigonometric_Functions
Inverse TriG identities. (n.d.). Trig Identities.
[Link]
Functions and their Inverses | Texas Gateway. (n.d.).
[Link]
EXT: Applications of Inverse Functions | Grade 11 Math |
Ontario 11 Functions (MCR3U) | MathSpace. (n.d.).
[Link]