Understanding the Derivative of the Tangent Function and its Evaluation using Trigonometric Identities and Differentiation Rules

Derivative of tan x

The derivative of the tangent function, written as d/dx(tan(x)), can be evaluated using trigonometric identities and differentiation rules

The derivative of the tangent function, written as d/dx(tan(x)), can be evaluated using trigonometric identities and differentiation rules.

To find the derivative of tan(x), we first express it in terms of sine and cosine using the identity tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x).

Next, we apply the quotient rule of differentiation, which states that if f(x) = g(x) / h(x), then d/dx(f(x)) = (g'(x)h(x) – g(x)h'(x)) / (h(x))^2.

Applying the quotient rule to tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x), we get:

d/dx(tan(x)) = (cos(x) * sin'(x) – sin(x) * cos'(x)) / (cos(x))^2

The derivative of sin(x) with respect to x is cos(x), and the derivative of cos(x) with respect to x is -sin(x).

Substituting these values into the equation, we have:

d/dx(tan(x)) = (cos(x) * cos(x) – sin(x) * (-sin(x))) / (cos(x))^2

= (cos^2(x) + sin^2(x)) / (cos^2(x))

Using the Pythagorean identity sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) = 1, the equation becomes:

d/dx(tan(x)) = 1 / (cos^2(x))

Since 1 / (cos^2(x)) is equivalent to sec^2(x), the derivative of tan(x) is:

d/dx(tan(x)) = sec^2(x)

Therefore, the derivative of tan(x) is equal to sec^2(x).

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