Derivative of tangent

Theorem

The following formula holds: $$\dfrac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}z} \tan(z) = \sec^2(z),$$ where $\tan$ denotes the tangent function and $\sec$ denotes the secant function.

Proof

From the definition, $$\tan(z) = \dfrac{\sin(z)}{\cos(z)},$$ so using the quotient rule, the derivative of sine, the derivative of cosine, the Pythagorean identity for sin and cos, and the definition of secant, $$\dfrac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}z} \tan(z) = \dfrac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}z} \dfrac{\sin(z)}{\cos(z)} = \dfrac{\cos^2(z) + \sin^2(z)}{\cos^2(z)} = \dfrac{1}{\cos^2(z)} = \sec^2(z),$$ as was to be shown. $\blacksquare$

References

• 1964: Milton Abramowitz and Irene A. Stegun: Handbook of mathematical functions ... (previous) ... (next): $4.3.107$