Derivative of cotangent
From specialfunctionswiki
Proposition: $\dfrac{d}{dx}$$\cot$$(x)=-$$\csc$$^2(x)$
Proof: Apply the quotient rule to the definition of cotangent using derivative of sine and derivative of cosine to see $$\begin{array}{ll} \dfrac{d}{dx} \cot(x) &= \dfrac{d}{dx} \left[ \dfrac{\cos(x)}{\sin(x)} \right] \\ &= \dfrac{-\sin^2(x)-\cos^2(x)}{\sin^2(x)}. \end{array}$$ Now apply the Pythagorean identity for sin and cos and the definition of cosecant to see $$\dfrac{d}{dx} \cot(x) = -\dfrac{1}{\sin^2(x)} = -\csc^2(x),$$ as was to be shown. █