In order to compute the derivatives of trigonometric function, some of the trigonometric limits need to be mentioned first.

The derivatives of trigonometric functions can be proven by use of the definition of derivative and the trigonometric limits.

                                          (1)

Proof

If f(x) = sinx, then

Now that d(sinx)/dx equals cosx has been proven, what does d(sinx)/dx look like in graph? Is it the same as cosx?

The value of the derivative at any value of x can be estimated by drawing the tangent at the point (x, f(x)) and estimate its slope. For example, at the point of x equals 0, draw the tangent at this point and estimate its slope to be around 1, so d(sinx)/dx = 1. Now plot the point (0, 1) on the graph of df/dx or f ^'. By repeating this procedure at different points, the graph of f ^' can be drawn and will resemble a cosine curve. The correction of the graph is confirmed by formula (1).

Using the definition of derivative and the trigonometric limits, the formula

     d(cosx)/dx = -sinx                                         (2)

The derivatives of the csc, sec, and cot are listed below:

     d(secx)/dx = secx tanx

     d(cscx)/dx = -cscx cotx

     d(cotx)/dx = -csc²x

The follow table is a list of most commonly used derivatives of the trigonometric functions.