Inverse Trigonometric Function: Arctangent (Part 1)

(This page is Part 1. Click here for Part 2.)

Before studying this section, you are encouraged to read Trying to ‘Undo’ Trigonometric Functions.

This section is a copy of Inverse Trigonometric Function: Arcsine, with appropriate changes. If you've mastered the arcsine section, then this one should be quick and easy!

For a function to have an inverse, each output must have exactly one corresponding input. Thus, only one-to-one functions have inverses.

The tangent function doesn't have a true inverse, because the tangent function is not one-to-one. So, to try and define an ‘inverse tangent function’, we do the best we can. We throw away most of the tangent curve, leaving us with a piece that has three properties:

• the piece is one-to-one (and hence has an inverse)
• the piece covers all the outputs from the tangent function (the interval $\,(-\infty,\infty)\,$)
• the piece is close to the origin

The green piece shown above satisfies all three of these properties. This green piece is the restriction of the tangent curve to the interval $\,(-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2})\,.$

The function that the mathematical community calls ‘the inverse tangent function’ is not actually the inverse of the tangent function, because the tangent function doesn't have a true inverse. Instead, the ‘inverse tangent function’ is the inverse of this green piece of the tangent curve.

Several Cycles of the Graph of the Tangent Function

The tangent function isn't one-to-one; it doesn't pass a horizontal line test. So, it doesn't have a true inverse.

To define an ‘inverse tangent function’, we do the best we can. Throw away most of the curve—leave only the green part.

This green part is one-to-one. This green part does have an inverse.

The inverse of this green part is what the mathematical community calls ‘the inverse tangent function’.

The arctangent function (precise definition below) is the best we can do in trying to get an inverse of the tangent function. The arctangent function is actually the inverse of the green piece shown above!

Here's a ‘function box’ view of what's going on:

The tangent function takes a real number (excluding $\,\frac{\pi}{2} + k\pi\,$ for integers $\,k\,$) as an input. It gives a real number output.

For example (as below), the output $\,0.5\,$ might come from the tangent function.

When we try to use the tangent function box ‘backwards’, we run into trouble.

The output $\,0.5\,$ could have come from any of the inputs shown.

However, when we use the green piece of the tangent curve, the problem is solved!

Now, there's only one input that works. (It's the value of the green $\,\color{green}{x}\,.$ )

Observe that $\,\color{green}{x}\,$ is in the interval $\,(-\frac{\pi}2,\frac{\pi}2)\,.$

It's a bit of a misnomer, but the arctangent function (precise definition below) is often referred to as the ‘inverse tangent function’. A better name would be something like ‘the inverse of an appropriately-restricted tangent function’. (It's no surprise, however, that people don't say something that long and cumbersome.)

So, what exactly is $\,\arctan 0.5\,$?

What Exactly IS $\,\arctan x\,$?

More generally, let $\,x\,$ be any real number. Then:

In my own mind (author Dr. Carol Burns speaking here), the words I say are:

I personally know the endpoints are not included, so this doesn't confuse me. However, the word ‘between’ is ambiguous—it can include the endpoints or not, depending on context. It can be clarified by saying:

... but then it loses its simplicity. Ah—issues with language. Choose words that work for you!

Precise Definition of the Arctangent Function

The precise definition of the arctangent function follows. It can look a bit intimidating—the notes following the definition should help.

Notes on the Definition of the Arctangent Function

Understanding the Definition

The definition precisely answers the question: ‘What is the number $\,\arctan x\,$?’ Here's how:

Recall that ‘ if and only if ’ means the same thing as is equivalent to. Equivalent sentences have identical truth values: if one is true, so is the other;  if one is false, so is the other.

Thus, if the sentence ‘$\,y = \arctan x\,$’ is true, then the compound sentence $$\cssId{s84}{\tan y = x\ \ \text{and}\ \ -\frac{\pi}{2} \lt y\lt \frac{\pi}{2}}$$

must also be true.

If  ‘$\,y = \arctan x\,$’  is true, then ‘$\,y\,$’ is just another name for ‘$\,\arctan x\,$’.

If  ‘$\,y = \arctan x\,$’  is true, then two things must be true about $\,\arctan x\,$ (i.e., $\,y\,$):

• $\tan \overbrace{y}^{\arctan x} = x\,$:  its tangent must be $\,x$
• $-\frac{\pi}{2} \lt \overbrace{y}^{\arctan x}\lt \frac{\pi}{2}\,$:  it must be in the interval $\,(-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2})$

Combining these ideas:

That is: