Derivative of Cot x is -cosec²x. It refers to the process of finding the change in the sine function with respect to the independent variable. Derivative of cot x is also known as differentiation of cot x which is the process of finding rate of change in the cot trigonometric function.

In this article, we will learn about the derivative of cot x and its formula including the proof of the formula using the first principle of derivatives, quotient rule, and chain rule as well.

What is Derivative of Cot x?

The derivative of cot x is -cosec²x. The derivative of cot x is one of the six trigonometric derivatives that we have to study. It is the differentiation of trigonometric function cotangent with respect to the variable x in the present case. If we have cot y or cot θ then we differentiate the cotangent with respect to y or θ respectively.

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• Calculus in Maths
• Derivative in Math

Derivative of Cot x Formula

The formula of the derivative of cot x is given by:

(d/dx)[cot x] = -cosec²x

or

(cot x)’ = -cosec²x

Proof of Derivative of Cot x

The derivative of cot x can be proved using the following ways:

• By using First Principle of Derivative
• By using Quotient Rule
• By using Chain Rule

Derivative of Cot x by First Principle of Derivative

Let’s start the proof for derivative of Cot x:

Let f(x) = Cot x

By the First Principle of Derivative

f'(x)= lim h→0 f(x+h)-f(x)/h

= lim h→0 cot(x+ h)- cot x/ h

= lim h→0 [cos(x+h)/sin(x+h)- cos x/ sin x]/h

= lim h→0 sin x cos(x+h)-cos x sin (x+h) / sin(x+h) sin x. h

=lim h→0 sin [x-(x+h) / sin(x+h).sin x .h

= lim h→0 – sin h/h lim h→0 1/sin (x+h)sin x

= -1 × 1/sinx. sinx

= -1/ sin²x

= -cosec²x

Derivative of Cot x by Quotient Rule

To find the derivative of cot x using the quotient rule of derivative we have to use the following mentioned formulas

• (d/dx) [u/v] = [u’v – uv’]/v²
• sin²(x)+ cos²(x)= 1
• cot x = cos x / sin x
• cosec x = 1 / sin x

Let’s start the proof of the derivative of cot x

f(x) = cot x = cos(x)/sin(x)

u(x) = cos(x) and v(x)=sin(x)

u'(x) = -sin(x) and v'(x)=cos(x)

v²(x) = sin²(x)

f'(x) = {-sin(x).sin(x) – cos(x).cos(x)}/sin²(x)

f'(x) = -sin²(x)-cos²(x)/sin²(x)

f'(x) = -sin²(x)+cos²(x)/sin²(x)

By one of the trigonometric identities, cos²x + sin²x = 1.

f'(x) = – 1/ sin²(x)

d/dx cot(x) = -1 /sin²(x) = -cosec²(x)

Therefore, differentiation of cot x is -cosec²x.

Derivative of Cot x by Chain Rule

Assume y = cot x then we can write y = 1 / (tan x) = (tan x)^-1. Since we have power here, we can apply the power rule here. By power rule and chain rule,

y’ = (-1) (tan x)^-2·d/dx (tan x)

The derivative of tan x is, d/dx (tan x) = sec²x

y= cot x

y’ = -1/tan²x·(sec²x)

y’ = – cot²x·sec²x

Now, cot x = (cos x)/(sin x) and sec x = 1/(cos x). So

y’ = -(cos²x)/(sin²x) · (1/cos²x)

y’ = -1/sin²x

Since, reciprocal of sin is cosec. i.e., 1/sin x = cosec x. So

y’ = -cosec²x

Hence proved.

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Solved Examples on Derivative of Cot x

Example 1: Find the derivative of cot²x.

Solution:

Let f(x) = cot²x = (cot x)²

By using power rule and chain rule,

f'(x) = 2 cot x · d/dx(cot x)

We know that the derivative of cot x is -cosec²x. So

f'(x) = -2 cot x ·cosec²x

Example 2: Differentiate tan x with respect to cot x.

Solution:

Let v = tan x and u = cot x. Then dv/dx = sec²x and du/dx = -cosec²x.

We have to find dv/du. We can write this as

dv/du = (dv/dx) / (du/dx)

dv/du = (sec²x) / (-cosec²x)

dv/du = (1/cos²x) / (-1/sin²x)

dv/du = (-sin²x) / (cos²x)

dv/du = -tan²x

Example 3: Find the derivative of cot x · csc2x

Solution:

Let f(x) = cot x · cosec²x

By product rule,

f'(x) = cot x·d/dx (cosec²x) + cosec²x·d/dx(cot x)

f'(x) = cot x·(2 cosec x) d/dx (cosec x) + cosec²x (-cosec²x) (by chain rule)

f'(x) = 2 cosec x cot x (-cosec x cot x) – cosec⁴x

f'(x) = -2 cosec²x cot²x – cosec⁴x

Practice Questions on Derivative of Cot x

Various problems related to Derivative of Cot x are,

1. Find the derivative of 1/cot(x).

2. Calculate the derivative of cot(3x) + 2cot(x).

3. Determine the derivative of 1/cot(x)+1.

4. Determine the derivative of cot(x) – tan(x).

5. Determine the derivative of cot²(x).

Summary

To find the derivative of cot⁡(x), we use the quotient rule and trigonometric identities. The cotangent function cot⁡(x) is defined as [Tex]\frac{\cos(x)}{\sin(x)}[/Tex]​. According to the quotient rule, the derivative of [Tex]\frac{u}{v}[/Tex]​ is [Tex]\frac{u’v – uv’}{v^2}[/Tex]​. Here, u=cos⁡(x) and v=sin⁡(x), with their derivatives being [Tex]\frac{d}{dx}[\cos(x)] = -\sin(x) and \frac{d}{dx}[\sin(x)] = \cos(x)[/Tex], respectively. Applying the quotient rule, we get [Tex]\frac{(-\sin(x))(\sin(x)) – (\cos(x))(\cos(x))}{(\sin(x))^2}[/Tex], which simplifies to [Tex]\frac{-\sin^2(x) – \cos^2(x)}{\sin^2(x)}[/Tex]. Using the Pythagorean identity sin⁡²(x)+cos^⁡2(x)=1, the expression in the numerator simplifies to −1. Therefore, the derivative of cot(x) is [Tex]\frac{-1}{\sin^2(x)}[/Tex]​, which is −csc⁡²(x).

Derivative of Cot x – FAQs

What is Derivative?

The derivative of the function is defined as the rate of change of the function with respect to a independent variable.

What is Formula for Derivative of Cot x?

The formula for derivative of cot x is: (d/dx) cot x = -cosec²x

What is Derivative of Cot (-x)?

Derivative of cot (-x) is cosec²(-x).

What are Different Methods to Prove Derivative of Cot x?

The different methods to prove derivative of cot x are:

• By using First Principle of Derivative
• By Quotient Rule
• By Chain Rule

What is Derivative of cot t?

The derivative of cot t is (-cosec²t)