inverse trig function?

Question

How do you solve cot(23)^-1? I've seen questions like cot^-1(23), but not one where the -1 is after. Is it the same? I feel like an idiot.

I guess I did mean the latter, but the problem just says "find the value of cot(23)^-1. and yes it's degrees

Answer 1

cot^-1(23) = [cot(23)]^-1.

cot(23)^-1 = cot(1/23).

Answer 2

1. You are NOT an idiot! The usage of indices with trig functions is confusing.
2. "cot^-1 (...)" (or arcot, or arccot ...) means the inverse function, whereas with any positive integer, n, in place of -1 it means the nth power of the cot value.
3. The given expression is ambiguous: it could mean cot (23^(-1)), or (cot 23)^(-1) -- probably the latter is intended.
4. IMPORTANT NOTES:
(a) Did you mean 23 degrees? As it stands, without indication of units, radians is implied. (23 radians is nearly 6 full turns!)
(b) You SOLVE an equation; you EVALUATE an expression.

Answer 3

1/ 23^1

1/ 23