# cos 1

Inverse Cosine
cos-1
Cos-1
arccos
Arccos

The inverse function of cosine.

Basic idea: To find cos-1 (½), we ask "what angle has cosine equal to ½?" The answer is 60°. As a result we say cos-1 (½) = 60°. In radians this is cos-1 (½) = π/3.

More: There are actually many angles that have cosine equal to ½. We are really asking "what is the simplest, most basic angle that has cosine equal to ½?" As before, the answer is 60°. Thus cos-1 (½) = 60° or cos-1 (½) = π/3.

Details: What is cos-1 (–½)? Do we choose 120°, –120°, 240°, or some other angle? The answer is 120°. With inverse cosine, we select the angle on the top half of the unit circle. Thus cos-1 (–½) = 120° or cos-1 (–½) = 2π/3.

In other words, the range of cos-1 is restricted to [0, 180°] or [0, π].

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

Technical note: Since none of the six trig functionssine, 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. Cos or Cos-1). However, most mathematicians do not follow this practice. This website does not distinguish between capitalized and uncapitalized trig functions.