The inverse function of sine.

Basic idea: To find sin^-1(½), we ask "what angle has sine equal to ½?" The answer is 30°. As a result we say sin^-1(½) = 30°. In radians this is sin^-1(½) = π/6.

More: There are actually many angles that have sine equal to ½. We are really asking "what is the simplest, most basic angle that has sine equal to ½?" As before, the answer is 30°. Thus sin^-1(½) = 30° or sin^-1(½) = π/6.

Details: What is sin^-1(-½)? Do we choose 210°, -30°, 330° , or some other angle? The answer is -30°. With inverse sine, we select the angle on the right half of the unit circle having measure as close to zero as possible. Thus sin^-1(-½) = -30° or sin^-1(-½) = -π/6.

In other words, the range of sin^-1 is restricted to [-90°, 90°] or .

Note: arcsin refers to "arc sine", or the radian measure of the arc on a circle corresponding to a given value of sine.

Technical note: Since none of the six trig functions sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent are one-to-one, their inverses are not functions. Each trig function can have its domain restricted, however, in order to make its inverse a function. Some mathematicians write these restricted trig functions and their inverses with an initial capital letter (e.g. Sin or Sin^-1). However, most mathematicians do not follow this practice. This website does not distinguish between capitalized and uncapitalized trig functions.

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