# Derivative of Secant, sec(x) – Formula, Proof, and Graphs

The Derivative of Secant is one of the first transcendental functions introduced in Differential Calculus (or Calculus I). The derivative of the secant function is secant times tangent, sec(x)tan(x). We can prove this derivative using limits and trigonometric identities.

In this article, we will discuss how to derive the trigonometric function secant. We will cover brief fundamentals, its formula, a graph comparison of secant and its derivative, a proof, methods to derive, and a few examples.

##### CALCULUS

Relevant for

Learning about the proof and graphs of the derivative of secant.

See proof

##### CALCULUS

Relevant for

Learning about the proof and graphs of the derivative of secant.

See proof

## Proof of the Derivative of the Secant Function

The trigonometric function secant of an angle is defined as the ratio of hypothenuse to the adjacent side of an angle in a right triangle. Illustrating it through a figure, we have

where C is 90°. For the sample right triangle, getting the secant of angle A can be evaluated as

$latex \sec{(A)} = \frac{c}{b}$

where A is the angle, c is the hypothenuse, and b is its adjacent side.

Before learning the proof of the derivative of the secant function, you are hereby recommended to learn the Pythagorean theorem, Soh-Cah-Toa & Cho-Sha-Cao, and the first principle of limits as prerequisites.

To review, any function can be derived by equating it to the limit of

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}}$$

Suppose we are asked to get the derivative of

$latex f(x) = \sec{(x)}$

we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\frac{ \sec{(x+h)} – \sec{(x)} }{h}}$$

Analyzing our equation, we can observe that both the first and second terms in the numerator of the limit is a secant of a sum of two angles x and h and a secant of angle x. With this observation, we can try to apply the defining relation identities for secant and cosine. Applying this, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\frac{ \frac{1}{\cos{(x+h)}} – \frac{1}{\cos{(x)}} }{h}}$$

Algebraically re-arranging by applying some rules of fraction, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\frac{ \frac{ \cos{(x)} – \cos{(x+h)} }{\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} }{h}}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} { \frac{ \cos{(x)} – \cos{(x+h)} }{h\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} }$$

Looking at the re-arranged numerator, we can try to apply the product-sum identities of cosine.

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ -2\sin{\left(\frac{x+(x+h)}{2}\right)} \sin{\left(\frac{x-(x+h)}{2}\right)} }{h\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ -2\sin{\left(\frac{x+x+h}{2}\right)} \sin{\left(\frac{x-x-h}{2}\right)} }{h\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ -2\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} \sin{\left(\frac{-h}{2}\right)} }{h\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} \right)}$$

Based on the trigonometric identities of a sine of a negative angle, it is equal to negative sine of that same angle but in positive form. Applying this to the second multiplicand of the numerator, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ -2\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} \cdot \left( -\sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)} \right) }{h\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ 2\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} \sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)} }{h\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)}} \right)}$$

Re-arranging algebraically and by applying the limit of product of two functions, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ \sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} \cdot 2\sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)} }{\cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)} \cdot h} \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)} } \cdot \frac{ 2\sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)} }{h} \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)} } \right)} \cdot \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ 2\sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)} }{h} \right)}$$

Applying some rules of fractions to the second multiplicand, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)} } \right)} \cdot \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{ \sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)} }{ \frac{h}{2} } \right)}$$

In accordance with the limits of trigonometric functions, the limit of the trigonometric function $latex \sin{(\theta)}$ to $latex \theta$ as $latex \theta$ approaches zero is equal to one. The same can be applied to $latex \sin{\left(\frac{h}{2}\right)}$ over $latex \frac{h}{2}$. Applying, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)} } \right)} \cdot \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {1}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x+h}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x+h)}\cos{(x)} } \right)}$$

Finally, we have successfully made it possible to evaluate the limit of whatever is left in the equation. Evaluating by substituting the approaching value of $latex h$, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x+(0)}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x+(0))}\cos{(x)} } \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \lim \limits_{h \to 0} {\left( \frac{\sin{\left(\frac{2x}{2}\right)} }{ \cos{(x)}\cos{(x)} } \right)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \frac{\sin{(x)} }{ \cos{(x)}\cos{(x)} }$$

Applying some trigonometric identities to simplify the derivative formula by the use of defining relation identities, we have

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \frac{ \sin{(x)} }{ \cos{(x)} } \cdot \frac{1}{\cos{(x)}}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \tan{(x)} \cdot \sec{(x)}$$

$$\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \sec{(x)} \tan{(x)}$$

Therefore, the derivative of the trigonometric function ‘secant‘ is:

$$\frac{d}{dx} (\sec{(x)}) = \sec{(x)} \tan{(x)}$$

## How to derive a Secant Function?

The derivative process of a secant function is very straightforward assuming you have already learned the concepts behind the usage of the secant function and how we arrived to its derivative formula.

### METHOD 1: Derivative of Secant of any angle x in terms of the same angle x.

Step 1: Analyze if the secant of an angle is a function of that same angle. For example, if the right-hand side of the equation is $latex \sec{(x)}$, then check if it is a function of the same angle x or f(x). After this, proceed to Step 2 until you complete the derivation steps.

Note: If $latex \sec{(x)}$ is a function of a different angle or variable such as f(t) or f(y), it will use implicit differentiation which is out of the scope of this article.

Step 2: Then directly apply the derivative formula of the secant function

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sec{(x)}\tan{(x)}$

If nothing is to be simplified anymore, then that would be the final answer.

### METHOD 2: Derivative of Secant of any function u in terms of x.

Step 1: Express the function as $latex F(x) = \sec{(u)}$, where $latex u$ represents any function other than x.

Step 2: Consider $latex \sec{(u)}$ as the outside function $latex f(u)$ and $latex u$ as the inner function $latex g(x)$ of the composite function $latex F(x)$. Hence we have

$latex f(u) = \sec{(u)}$

and

$latex g(x) = u$

Step 3: Get the derivative of the outer function $latex f(u)$, which must use the derivative of the secant function, in terms of $latex u$.

$latex \frac{d}{du} \left( \sec{(u)} \right) = \sec{(u)}\tan{(x)}$

Step 4: Get the derivative of the inner function $latex g(x) = u$. Use the appropriate derivative rule that applies to $latex u$.

Step 5: Apply the basic chain rule formula by algebraically multiplying the derivative of outer function $latex f(u)$ by the derivative of inner function $latex g(x)$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{du} (f(u)) \cdot \frac{d}{dx} (g(x))$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sec{(u)}\tan{(x)} \cdot \frac{d}{dx} (u)$

Step 6: Substitute $latex u$ into $latex f'(u)$

Step 7: Simplify and apply any function law whenever applicable to finalize the answer.

## Graph of Secant of x VS. The Derivative of Secant of x

Given the function

$latex f(x) = \sec{(x)}$

the graph is illustrated as

And as we know by now, by deriving $latex f(x) = \sec{(x)}$, we get

$latex f'(x) = \sec{(x)}\tan{(x)}$

which is illustrated graphically as

Illustrating both graphs in one, we have

Analyzing the differences of these functions through these graphs, you can observe that the original function $latex f(x) = \sec{(x)}$ has a domain of

$latex \left(-\frac{3\pi}{2},-\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \cup \left(-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \cup \left(\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)$

within the finite intervals of

$latex \left(-\frac{3\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)$

and exists within the range of

$latex (-\infty,-1] \cup [1,\infty)$

whereas the derivative $latex f'(x) = \sec{(x)}\tan{(x)}$ has a domain of

$latex \left(-\frac{3\pi}{2},-\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \cup \left(-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \cup \left(\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)$

within the finite intervals of

$latex \left(-\frac{3\pi}{2},\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)$

and exists within the range of

$latex (-\infty,\infty)$ or all real numbers

## Examples

Below are some examples of using either the first or second method in deriving a secant function.

### EXAMPLE 1

Derive: $latex f(\beta) = \sec{(\beta)}$

Solution: Analyzing the given secant function, we see that it is only a secant of a single angle $latex \beta$. Therefore, we can use the first method to derive this problem.

Step 1: Analyze if the secant of $latex \beta$ is a function of $latex \beta$. In this problem, it is. Hence, proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Directly apply the derivative formula of the secant function and derive in terms of $latex \beta$. Since no further simplification is needed, the final answer is:

$latex f'(\beta) = \sec{(\beta)}\tan{(\beta)}$

### EXAMPLE 2

Derive: $latex F(x) = \sec{\left(8x^2-4 \right)}$

Solution: Analyzing the given secant function, it is a secant of a polynomial function. Therefore, we can use the second method to derive this problem.

Step 1: Express the secant function as $latex F(x) = \sec{(u)}$, where $latex u$ represents any function other than x. In this problem,

$latex u = 8x^2-4$

We will substitute this later as we finalize the derivative of the problem.

Step 2: Consider $latex \sec{(u)}$ as the outside function $latex f(u)$ and $latex u$ as the inner function $latex g(x)$ of the composite function $latex F(x)$. For this problem, we have

$latex f(u) = \sec{(u)}$

and

$latex g(x) = u = 8x^2-4$

Step 3: Get the derivative of the outer function $latex f(u)$, which must use the derivative of the secant function, in terms of $latex u$.

$latex \frac{d}{du} \left( \sec{(u)} \right) = \sec{(u)}\tan{(u)}$

Step 4: Get the derivative of the inner function $latex g(x)$ or $latex u$. Since our $latex u$ in this problem is a polynomial function, we will use power rule and sum/difference of derivatives to derive $latex u$.

$latex \frac{d}{dx}(g(x)) = \frac{d}{dx} \left(8x^2-4 \right)$

$latex \frac{d}{dx}(g(x)) = 16x$

Step 5: Apply the basic chain rule formula by algebraically multiplying the derivative of outer function $latex f(u)$ by the derivative of inner function $latex g(x)$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{du} (f(u)) \cdot \frac{d}{dx} (g(x))$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sec{(u)}\tan{(u)} \cdot 16x$

Step 6: Substitute $latex u$ into $latex f'(u)$

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \sec{(u)}\tan{(u)} \cdot 16x$$

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \sec{(8x^2-4)}\tan{(8x^2-4)} \cdot 16x$$

Step 7: Simplify and apply any function law whenever applicable to finalize the answer.

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \sec{(8x^2-4)}\tan{(8x^2-4)} \cdot 16x$$

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = 16x \sec{(8x^2-4)}\tan{(8x^2-4)}$$

$$F'(x) = 16x \sec{(8x^2-4)}\tan{(8x^2-4)}$$

or

$$F'(x) = 16x \sec{(4(2x^2-1))}\tan{(4(2x^2-1))}$$