Derivative of Cos x

Derivative of Cosine Function, cos(x), with respect to x is -sin x. Derivative of Cos x is the change in the cosine function with respect to the variable x and represents its slope at any point x. Thus, in other words, we can say that the slope of cos x is – sin x for all real values x.

In this article, we will learn about the derivative of Cos x and its formula including the proof of the formula using the first principle of derivatives, quotient rule, and chain rule. Solved Problems and FAQs are also provided in the end along with some practice questions to learn the topic more clearly.

What is Derivative in Math?

Derivative in Math is defined as the simultaneous rate of change with respect to an independent variable. The derivative of a function f(x) is denoted as f'(x) or (d /dx)[f(x)] and defined as

f'(x₀) = lim_h→0 [f(x₀ + h) – f(x₀)] / h

What is Derivative of Cos x?

The derivative of the Cos x is -Sin x.

Derivative of the cosine function represents the rate at which the cosine curve is changing at a given point. It is equal to zero at the peaks and troughs of the cosine wave and reaches its maximum absolute value of 1.

Derivative of Cos x Formula

The formula for the derivative of Cos x is given by:

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

In other way, we can write it as:

(cos x)’ = -sin x

Proof of Derivative of Cos x

The derivative of cos x can be derived using the following ways:

• By using the First Principle of Derivative
• By using Chain Rule
• By using Quotient Rule

Derivative of Cos x by First Principle of Derivative

Let us study the derivation of cos x using the First Principle of derivative i.e., the definition of limits. Here, x approaches x + h and the limiting value approaches 0.

To prove it we must know some basic trigonometric formulas:

• cos (A + B) = cos A cos B – sin A sin B
• lim _x→0 [(cos x – 1) / x] = 1
• lim _x→0 [sin x/x] = 1

Now, let’s see the proof of it:

(d/dx) cos x = lim_h→0 [cos(x + h) – cos x]/[(x + h) – x]

⇒ (d/dx) sin x = lim_h→0 [cos x cos h – sin x sin x – cos x]/ h

⇒ (d/dx) sin x = lim_h→0 [{(cos h – 1) / h} cos x – {(sin h/h) sin x}]

⇒ (d/dx) sin x = cos x (0) – (1) sin x

⇒ (d/dx) sin x = -sin x

Derivative of Cos x by Chain Rule

To prove derivative of sin x using chain rule, we will use basic derivatives and trigonometric formulas which are listed below:

• sin x = cos [(π/2) – x]
• cos x = sin [(π/2) – x]
• d(sin x)/dx = cos x

Let’s see the proof of it by chain rule:

By applying chain rule, we have

y’ = (d/dx){sin [(π/2) – x]}

⇒ y’ = {cos [(π/2) – x]} (– 1)

⇒ y’ = -cos [(π/2) – x]

⇒ y’ = -sin x

Derivative of Sin x by Quotient Rule

The basic formula you must know before proving derivative of Sin x by Quotient Rule are:

• cos x = 1/sec x
• sec x = 1/cos x
• d(sec x)/dx = sec x tan x
• (d/dx) [u/v] = [u’v – uv’]/v²
• tan x = sin x/ cos x

Let’s start the proof of the derivative of sin x:

y’ = (d/dx) (1/sec x)

⇒ y’ = [(1)’ sec x – 1.(sec x)’]/(sec²x)

⇒ y’ = [(0) sec x – (sec x tan x)]/(sec² x)

⇒ y’ = (-sec x tan x)/(sec² x)

⇒ y’ = -tan x/sec x

⇒ y’ = (-sin x/cos x )/( 1/cos x)

⇒ y’ = -sin x

Solved Examples on Derivative of Cos x

Example 1: Find the derivative of cos 4x.

Solution:

y’ = (d/dx) [cos 4x]

Applying chain rule

y’ = (d/dx) [cos 4x].(d/dx) (4x)

⇒ y’ = (-sin 4x)4

⇒ y’ = -4sin 4x

Example 2: Evaluate the derivative f(x) = (x³ + 5x² + 2x + 7) cosx.

Solution:

f(x) = (x³ + 5x² + 2x + 7)cos x

⇒ f'(x) = (d /dx)[(x³ + 5x² + 2x + 7) cosx]

Applying product rule

f'(x) = (d /dx)[(x³ + 5x² + 2x + 7)] cosx + (x³ + 5x² + 2x + 7) (d /dx)[cosx]

⇒ f'(x) = (3x² + 10x + 2)cosx – (x³ + 5x² + 2x + 7)sinx

Example 3: Use the derivative of cos x to determine the derivative of cos(cos x).

Solution:

The derivative of cos x is -sin x. By chain rule,

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

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

Example 4: Find the derivative of p(x) = (4x² + 9)/cosx.

Solution:

p'(x) = (d /dx)[(4x² + 9)/cosx]

By quotient rule,

p'(x) = [(d /dx)(4x² + 9) cos x – (4x² + 9)(d /dx)cosx]/ cos²x

⇒ p'(x) = [8x cosx + (4x² + 9) sinx]/ cos²x

Example 5: Find derivative of cos^-1 x.

Solution:

(d /dx) [cos^-1 x] = -1/√[1 – x²] [From Formula]

Practice Questions on Derivative of Cos x

Q1. Find the derivative of cos 6x

Q2. Find the derivative of x².cosx

Q3. Evaluate: (d/dx) [cos x/(x² + 20)]

Q4. Evaluate the derivative of: cos x. tan x

Q5. Find: (tan x)^{cos x}

Derivative of Cos x – FAQs

What is Derivative?

Derivative in Math is defined as the simultaneous rate of change with respect to an independent variable.

What is the Derivative of Cos (-x)?

Derivative of cos (-x) is -sin x.

What are the Different Methods to Prove Derivative of Cos x?

The different methods to prove derivative of sin x are:

• By using First Principle of Derivative
• By Quotient Rule
• By Chain Rule

What is the Formula for Derivative of Cos x.

The formula for derivative of cos x is: -sin x

What is the Derivative of 2 cos x?

Derivative of 2 cos x is -2 sin x.

What is the Derivative of Tan x?

Derivative of tan x is sec² x.