Year 12 / Trigonometric calculus and differentiation rules
Differentiate the wave.
With x measured in radians, the derivative of is and that of is . A frequency multiplier inside the angle also multiplies the derivative. The minus sign for cosine matters.
Products such as need the product rule, and a quotient needs both numerator terms in the correct order. Simplifying a derivative can reveal stationary inputs or useful factors. Check a numerical gradient as a reasonableness test, not as a replacement for exact working.
INTERACTIVE MODEL
Try it. Watch it change.
= tangent
The graph is calculated from the displayed rule. Drag the highlighted point or use the sliders.
Explore: Select . Compare the tangent slope with , especially at a peak and a zero.
Sine derivative
Cosine derivative
Differentiate = .
- Differentiate each factor in turn.
- = + .
Assumed knowledge
Unit circle, radians and differentiation rules.
Learning checkpoints & source
YOUR LEARNING CHECKPOINT- Differentiate sine and cosine in radians.
- Combine chain, product and quotient rules.
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