6. Applications of Integration
6.9 Calculus of the Hyperbolic Functions
Learning Objectives
- Apply the formulas for derivatives and integrals of the hyperbolic functions.
- Apply the formulas for the derivatives of the inverse hyperbolic functions and their associated integrals.
- Describe the common applied conditions of a catenary curve.
We were introduced to hyperbolic functions in Introduction to Functions and Graphs, along with some of their basic properties. In this section, we look at differentiation and integration formulas for the hyperbolic functions and their inverses.
Derivatives and Integrals of the Hyperbolic Functions
Recall that the hyperbolic sine and hyperbolic cosine are defined as

The other hyperbolic functions are then defined in terms of and
The graphs of the hyperbolic functions are shown in the following figure.

It is easy to develop differentiation formulas for the hyperbolic functions. For example, looking at we have
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\hfill \frac{d}{dx}(\text{sinh}x)& =\frac{d}{dx}(\frac{{e}^{x}-{e}^{\text{−}x}}{2})\hfill \\ & =\frac{1}{2}\left[\frac{d}{dx}({e}^{x})-\frac{d}{dx}({e}^{\text{−}x})\right]\hfill \\ & =\frac{1}{2}\left[{e}^{x}+{e}^{\text{−}x}\right]=\text{cosh}x.\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbc.ca/calculusv1openstax/wp-content/ql-cache/quicklatex.com-4d102f0ac1122a11fc487e2c5ba24534_l3.png)
Similarly, We summarize the differentiation formulas for the hyperbolic functions in the following table.
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Let’s take a moment to compare the derivatives of the hyperbolic functions with the derivatives of the standard trigonometric functions. There are a lot of similarities, but differences as well. For example, the derivatives of the sine functions match: and
The derivatives of the cosine functions, however, differ in sign:
but
As we continue our examination of the hyperbolic functions, we must be mindful of their similarities and differences to the standard trigonometric functions.
These differentiation formulas for the hyperbolic functions lead directly to the following integral formulas.

Differentiating Hyperbolic Functions
Evaluate the following derivatives:
Evaluate the following derivatives:
Solution
Integrals Involving Hyperbolic Functions
Evaluate the following integrals:
Solution
We can use -substitution in both cases.
- Let
Then,
and
- Let
Then,
and
Note that
for all
so we can eliminate the absolute value signs and obtain
Evaluate the following integrals:
Solution
Hint
Use the formulas above and apply -substitution as necessary.
Calculus of Inverse Hyperbolic Functions
Looking at the graphs of the hyperbolic functions, we see that with appropriate range restrictions, they all have inverses. Most of the necessary range restrictions can be discerned by close examination of the graphs. The domains and ranges of the inverse hyperbolic functions are summarized in the following table.
Function | Domain | Range |
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The graphs of the inverse hyperbolic functions are shown in the following figure.

To find the derivatives of the inverse functions, we use implicit differentiation. We have

Recall that so
Then,

We can derive differentiation formulas for the other inverse hyperbolic functions in a similar fashion. These differentiation formulas are summarized in the following table.
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Note that the derivatives of and
are the same. Thus, when we integrate
we need to select the proper antiderivative based on the domain of the functions and the values of
Integration formulas involving the inverse hyperbolic functions are summarized as follows.

Differentiating Inverse Hyperbolic Functions
Evaluate the following derivatives:
Evaluate the following derivatives:
Solution
Hint
Use the formulas in (Figure) and apply the chain rule as necessary.
Integrals Involving Inverse Hyperbolic Functions
Evaluate the following integrals:
Solution
We can use in both cases.
- Let
Then,
and we have
- Let
Then,
and we obtain
Evaluate the following integrals:
Solution
Hint
Use the formulas above and apply as necessary.
Applications
One physical application of hyperbolic functions involves hanging cables. If a cable of uniform density is suspended between two supports without any load other than its own weight, the cable forms a curve called a catenary. High-voltage power lines, chains hanging between two posts, and strands of a spider’s web all form catenaries. The following figure shows chains hanging from a row of posts.

Hyperbolic functions can be used to model catenaries. Specifically, functions of the form are catenaries. (Figure) shows the graph of

Using a Catenary to Find the Length of a Cable
Assume a hanging cable has the shape for
where
is measured in feet. Determine the length of the cable (in feet).
Solution
Recall from Section 6.4 that the formula for arc length is
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \text{Arc Length}={\int }_{a}^{b}\sqrt{1+{\left[{f}^{\prime }(x)\right]}^{2}}dx.](https://opentextbc.ca/calculusv1openstax/wp-content/ql-cache/quicklatex.com-6477b27e63f65f31c75b6ee12bfaca4a_l3.png)
We have so
Then
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\hfill \text{Arc Length}& ={\int }_{a}^{b}\sqrt{1+{\left[{f}^{\prime }(x)\right]}^{2}}dx\hfill \\ & ={\int }_{-15}^{15}\sqrt{1+{\text{sinh}}^{2}(\frac{x}{10})}dx.\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbc.ca/calculusv1openstax/wp-content/ql-cache/quicklatex.com-bdcffb93c72542e5b08bfe8603a8bc0d_l3.png)
Now recall that so we have
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\hfill \text{Arc Length}& ={\int }_{-15}^{15}\sqrt{1+{\text{sinh}}^{2}(\frac{x}{10})}dx\hfill \\ & ={\int }_{-15}^{15}\text{cosh}(\frac{x}{10})dx\hfill \\ & =10\text{sinh}{(\frac{x}{10})|}_{-15}^{15}=10\left[\text{sinh}(\frac{3}{2})-\text{sinh}(-\frac{3}{2})\right]=20\text{sinh}(\frac{3}{2})\hfill \\ & \approx 42.586\text{ft}\text{.}\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbc.ca/calculusv1openstax/wp-content/ql-cache/quicklatex.com-9624e4445ee9362c3eb66af90cde9484_l3.png)
Assume a hanging cable has the shape for
Determine the length of the cable (in feet).
Solution
Hint
Use the procedure from the previous example.
Key Concepts
- Hyperbolic functions are defined in terms of exponential functions.
- Term-by-term differentiation yields differentiation formulas for the hyperbolic functions. These differentiation formulas give rise, in turn, to integration formulas.
- With appropriate range restrictions, the hyperbolic functions all have inverses.
- Implicit differentiation yields differentiation formulas for the inverse hyperbolic functions, which in turn give rise to integration formulas.
- The most common physical applications of hyperbolic functions are calculations involving catenaries.
1. [T] Find expressions for and
Use a calculator to graph these functions and ensure your expression is correct.
Solution
2. From the definitions of and
find their antiderivatives.
3. Show that and
satisfy
Solution
Answers may vary
4. Use the quotient rule to verify that
5. Derive from the definition.
Solution
Answers may vary
6. Take the derivative of the previous expression to find an expression for
7. Prove by changing the expression to exponentials.
Solution
Answers may vary
8. Take the derivative of the previous expression to find an expression for
For the following exercises, find the derivatives of the given functions and graph along with the function to ensure your answer is correct.
9. [T]
Solution
10. [T]
11. [T]
Solution
12. [T]
13. [T]
Solution
14. [T]
15. [T]
Solution
16. [T]
17. [T]
Solution
18. [T]
For the following exercises, find the antiderivatives for the given functions.
19.
Solution
20.
21.
Solution
23.
24.
Solution
25.
26.
[hidden-answer a=”214220″]

27.
28.
Solution
29.
For the following exercises, find the derivatives for the functions.
30.
Solution
31.
32.
Solution
33.
34.
Solution
35.
36.
[hidden-answer a=”509394″]

For the following exercises, find the antiderivatives for the functions.
37.
38.
Solution
39.
40.
Solution
41.
42.
Solution
43.
For the following exercises, use the fact that a falling body with friction equal to velocity squared obeys the equation
44. Show that satisfies this equation.
Solution
Answers may vary
45. Derive the previous expression for by integrating
46. [T] Estimate how far a body has fallen in 12 seconds by finding the area underneath the curve of
Solution
37.30
For the following exercises, use this scenario: A cable hanging under its own weight has a slope that satisfies
The constant
is the ratio of cable density to tension.
48. Show that satisfies this equation.
49. Integrate to find the cable height
if
Solution
50. Sketch the cable and determine how far down it sags at
For the following exercises, solve each problem.
51. [T] A chain hangs from two posts 2 m apart to form a catenary described by the equation Find the slope of the catenary at the left fence post.
Solution
-0.521095
52. [T] A chain hangs from two posts four meters apart to form a catenary described by the equation Find the total length of the catenary (arc length).
53. [T] A high-voltage power line is a catenary described by Find the ratio of the area under the catenary to its arc length. What do you notice?
Solution
10
54. A telephone line is a catenary described by Find the ratio of the area under the catenary to its arc length. Does this confirm your answer for the previous question?
55. Prove the formula for the derivative of by differentiating
(Hint: Use hyperbolic trigonometric identities.)
56. Prove the formula for the derivative of by differentiating
(Hint: Use hyperbolic trigonometric identities.)
57. Prove the formula for the derivative of by differentiating
(Hint: Use hyperbolic trigonometric identities.)
58. Prove that
59. Prove the expression for Multiply
by
and solve for
Does your expression match the textbook?
60. Prove the expression for Multiply
by
and solve for
Does your expression match the textbook?
Glossary
- catenary
- a curve in the shape of the function
is a catenary; a cable of uniform density suspended between two supports assumes the shape of a catenary
Hint
Use the formulas in (Figure) and apply the chain rule as necessary.