# Derivative of Sine Squared, sin^2(x) with Proof and Graphs

The Squared Sine Function is the function sine x when raised to the power of two. The derivative od the sine squared function is equal to sine of 2x, sin(2x). We can find this derivative by using the chain rule and the derivatives of the fundamental trigonometric functions.

In this article, we’ll look at how to calculate the derivative of the composite function sine squared. We will go over the principles, formula, graph comparison of underived and derived sine x squared, proof, techniques to derive, and a few examples.

##### CALCULUS

Relevant for

Learning how to derive the sine squared function.

See proof

##### CALCULUS

Relevant for

Learning how to derive the sine squared function.

See proof

## Proof of The Derivative of Sine Squared Function Using Chain Rule

If you need it, you are encouraged to review the chain rule formula, as a prerequisite of this topic, by visiting this link: Chain Rule of derivatives. Likewise, you may visit this another link for the proof of the derivative of sine function: Derivative of Sine, sin(x).

$latex \sin^{2}{(x)} \neq \sin{(x^2)}$

Setting confusion aside, the former is a “whole trigonometric function” raised to the power of two, whereas the latter is a trigonometric function of “a variable raised to the power of two.”

Because it is a composite function, the chain rule formula is used to find the derivative formula of sine squared function, provided you have already mastered the the chain rule formula and the derivative of sine function.

Suppose we are asked to get the derivative of

$latex F(x) = \sin^{2}{(x)}$

We can identify the two functions that make up F(x). There is a power function and a trigonometric function in this scenario. Based on our given F(x), they are a function raised to a power of two and a sine trigonometric function.

For easier representation, we can rewrite our given as

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin^{2}{(x)}$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = (\sin{(x)})^2$

It is evident now that the given power function is the outer function, while the sine function squared by the given power function is the inner function. We can set the outer function as

$latex f(u) = u^2$

where

$latex u = \sin{(x)}$

Setting the trigonometric sine function as the inner function of f(u) by denoting it as g(x), we have

$latex f(u) = f(g(x))$

$latex g(x) = \sin{(x)}$

$latex u = g(x)$

Deriving the outer function f(u) using the power rule in terms of u, we have

$latex f(u) = u^2$

$latex f'(u) = 2u$

Deriving the inner function g(x) using the derivative formula of trigonometric function sine in terms of x, we have

$latex g(x) = \sin{(x)}$

$latex g'(x) = \cos{(x)}$

Algebraically multiplying the derivative of outer function $latex f'(u)$ by the derivative of inner function $latex g'(x)$, we have

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

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = (2u) \cdot (\cos{(x)})$

Substituting u into f'(u), we have

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = (2(\sin{(x)})) \cdot (\cos{(x)})$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = 2\sin{(x)}\cos{(x)}$

Applying the double angle identities, we have

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin{(2x)}$

This gets us to the sine squared x derivative formula.

$latex \frac{d}{dx} \sin^{2}{(x)} = \sin{(2x)}$

## How to derive a Sine Squared Function?

As noted previously, sine squared is a composite function of power and the trigonometric function sine. Instead of constantly using the chain rule method, we may simply utilize the established derivative formula for a sine squared function.

### METHOD 1: When the square of a sine of any angle x is to be derived in terms of the same angle x.

Step 1: Analyze if the sine squared of an angle is a function of that same angle. For example, if the right-hand side of the equation is $latex \sin^{2}{(x)}$, then check if it is a function of the same angle x or f(x).

Note: If $latex \sin^{2}{(x)}$ 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 proven derivative formula of the sine squared function

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin{(2x)}$

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

### METHOD 2: When the given is a sine squared of any function v instead and to be derived in terms of x.

Step 1: Express the function as $latex G(x) = \sin^{2}{(v)}$, where $latex v$ represents any function other than x.

Step 2: Consider $latex \sin^{2}{(v)}$ as the outside function $latex g(v)$ and $latex v$ as the inner function $latex h(x)$ of the composite function $latex G(x)$. Hence we have

$latex g(v) = \sin{(v)}$

and

$latex h(x) = v$

Step 3: Get the derivative of the outer function $latex g(v)$, which must use the derivative of the sine squared function, in terms of $latex v$.

$latex \frac{d}{du} \left( \sin^{2}{(v)} \right) = \sin{(2v)}$

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

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

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

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin{(2v)} \cdot \frac{d}{dx} (v)$

Step 6: Substitute $latex v$ into $latex g'(v)$

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

## Graph of Sine Squared x VS. The Derivative of Sine Squared x

Given the function

$latex f(x) = \sin^{2}{(x)}$

its graph shows

And as we know by now, by deriving $latex f(x) = \sin^{2}{(x)}$, we get

$latex f'(x) = \sin{(2x)}$

which if graphed, shows

Illustrating both graphs in one, we have

Looking at the differences between these functions based on those graphs, you can see that the original function $latex f(x) = sin^{2}{(x)}$ has a domain of

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

and exists within the range of

$latex [0,1]$

whereas the derivative $latex f'(x) = \sin{(2x)}$ has a domain of

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

and exists within the range of

$latex [-1,1]$

## Examples

Here are some examples of deriving a sine squared function applying either the first or second method.

### EXAMPLE 1

Derive: $latex f(\beta) = \sin^{2}{(\beta)}$

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

Step 1: Analyze if the square of sine 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 sine squared function and derive in terms of $latex \beta$. Since no further simplification is needed, the final answer is:

$latex f'(\beta) = \sin{(2\beta)}$

### EXAMPLE 2

Derive: $latex G(x) = \sin^{2}{(3x-2)}$

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

Step 1: Express the sine squared function as $latex G(x) = \sin^{2}{(v)}$, where $latex v$ represents any function other than x. In this problem,

$latex v = 3x-2$

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

Step 2: Consider $latex \sin{(v)}$ as the outside function $latex g(v)$ and $latex v$ as the inner function $latex h(x)$ of the composite function $latex G(x)$. For this problem, we have

$latex g(v) = \sin{(v)}$

and

$latex h(x) = v = 3x-2$

Step 3: Get the derivative of the outer function $latex g(v)$, which must use the derivative of the sine squared function, in terms of $latex v$.

$latex \frac{d}{du} \left( \sin^{2}{(v)} \right) = \sin{(2v)}$

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

$latex \frac{d}{dx}(h(x)) = \frac{d}{dx} \left(3x-2 \right)$

$latex \frac{d}{dx}(h(x)) = 3$

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

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

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin{(2v)} \cdot 3$

Step 6: Substitute $latex v$ into $latex g'(v)$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin{(2v)} \cdot 3$

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = \sin{(2(3x-2))} \cdot 3$

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

$latex \frac{dy}{dx} = 3\sin{(2(3x-2))}$

$latex G'(x) = 3\sin{(2(3x-2))}$

or

$latex G'(x) = 3\sin{(6x-4)}$

Interested in learning more about the derivatives of trigonometric functions squared? Take a look at these pages: