Thread: derivative of arcsec

what is the derivative of the arcsec(2t^.5)

Just in case a picture helps...



... where



... is the chain rule. Straight continuous lines differentiate downwards (integrate up) with respect to x, and the straight dashed line similarly but with respect to the dashed balloon expression (the inner function of the composite which is subject to the chain rule).

OK, but why does

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}$ arcsec $\displaystyle x = \frac{1}{x \sqrt{x^2 - 1}}$

?

This time we can make an 'internal' substitution, replacing x with sec \theta...



As before, it's basically a clockwise journey...



Hope this helps.

Edit:

Alternatively, and probably much better, combine both in one... (spoiler to accommodate width)

Spoiler:

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Don't integrate - balloontegrate!

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