MCQ
Find the principal value of $\cos ^{-1}\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)$
  • A
    $\frac{\pi}{2}$
  • B
    $\frac{ \pi}{6}$
  • $\frac{2 \pi}{3}$
  • D
    $\frac{5 \pi}{6}$

Answer

Correct option: C.
$\frac{2 \pi}{3}$
c
Let $\cos ^{-1}\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)=y$

Then, $\cos y=-\frac{1}{2}=-\cos \left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)=\cos \left(\pi-\frac{\pi}{3}\right)=\cos \left(\frac{2 \pi}{3}\right)$

We know that the range of the principal value branch of $\cos ^{-1}$ is $[0, \pi]$ and $\cos \left(\frac{2 \pi}{3}\right)=-\frac{1}{2}$

Therefore, the principal value of $\cos ^{-1}\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)$ is $\left(\frac{2 \pi}{3}\right)$

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