# arcsin and csc.

• Apr 26th 2010, 06:47 PM
integral
arcsin and csc.
What is the difference between arcsin and co-secant?

$\textrm{csc}=\textrm{sin}^{-1}$
$\textrm{sin}^{-1}=\textrm{arcsin}$

Many threads I have read say they are equal but when I input them into a calculator I get different values.
• Apr 26th 2010, 07:46 PM
Gusbob
Quote:

Originally Posted by integral
What is the difference between arcsin and co-secant?

$\textrm{csc}=\textrm{sin}^{-1}$
$\textrm{sin}^{-1}=\textrm{arcsin}$

Many threads I have read say they are equal but when I input them into a calculator I get different values.

arcsin is the inverse function of sine. It reverses what the sine function does.

cosec is the reciprocal of sine.

Generally, if you see $\sin ^{-1}$, it will be referring to arcsin. Confusing, I know, but that is the notation unfortunately. The reciprocal of sine is almost always referred to as cosec.
• Apr 27th 2010, 03:25 AM
integral
Quote:

arcsin is the inverse function of sine. It reverses what the sine function does.
Tha'ts a reciprocal (Wondering)

Quote:

Generally, if you see http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-he...c8e43190-1.gif, it will be referring to arcsin. Confusing, I know, but that is the notation unfortunately. The reciprocal of sine is almost always referred to as cosec.
is sin^{-1} not a reciprocal...?
Even if not, how on earth would you notate the difference between arcsin and csc. $acrsin=sin^{-1}$, $csc=\frac{1}{sin}$

They look soo much the same. :(