Given that θ is measured in radians, prove, from first principles, that
d
dθ (cos θ) = -sin θ
You may assume the formula for cos(A ± B) and that as h → 0,
sin(h)/h → 1 and (cosh - 1)/h → 0 - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 11 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 11
Given that θ is measured in radians, prove, from first principles, that
d
dθ (cos θ) = -sin θ
You may assume the formula for cos(A ± B) and that as h → 0,
sin... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Given that θ is measured in radians, prove, from first principles, that
d
dθ (cos θ) = -sin θ
You may assume the formula for cos(A ± B) and that as h → 0,
sin(h)/h → 1 and (cosh - 1)/h → 0 - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 11 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Using the Definition of Derivative
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
To find the derivative of cos(θ) with respect to θ, we start by applying the definition of the derivative:
dθd(cosθ)=limh→0hcos(θ+h)−cosθ
Step 2
Applying the Cosine Addition Formula
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Using the cosine addition formula:
cos(θ+h)=cosθcosh−sinθsinh
we substitute this into our limit:
dθd(cosθ)=limh→0h(cosθcosh−sinθsinh)−cosθ
Step 3
Simplifying the Expression
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Next, this simplifies to:
dθd(cosθ)=limh→0hcosθ(cosh−1)−sinθsinh
This expression can be split into two parts:
=cosθlimh→0hcosh−1−sinθlimh→0hsinh
Step 4
Evaluating the Limits
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Using the known limits:
limh→0hsinh=1
2.
limh→0hcosh−1=0,
we evaluate:
dθd(cosθ)=cosθ(0)−sinθ(1)
which simplifies to:
dθd(cosθ)=−sinθ
Step 5
Final Result
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!