In
mathematics
Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...
, hyperbolic functions are analogues of the ordinary
trigonometric function
In mathematics, the trigonometric functions (also called circular functions, angle functions or goniometric functions) are real functions which relate an angle of a right-angled triangle to ratios of two side lengths. They are widely used in all ...
s, but defined using the
hyperbola
In mathematics, a hyperbola is a type of smooth function, smooth plane curve, curve lying in a plane, defined by its geometric properties or by equations for which it is the solution set. A hyperbola has two pieces, called connected component ( ...
rather than the
circle
A circle is a shape consisting of all point (geometry), points in a plane (mathematics), plane that are at a given distance from a given point, the Centre (geometry), centre. The distance between any point of the circle and the centre is cal ...
. Just as the points form a
circle with a unit radius, the points form the right half of the
unit hyperbola. Also, similarly to how the derivatives of and are and respectively, the derivatives of and are and respectively.
Hyperbolic functions are used to express the
angle of parallelism
In hyperbolic geometry, angle of parallelism \Pi(a) is the angle at the non-right angle vertex of a right hyperbolic triangle having two limiting parallel, asymptotic parallel sides. The angle depends on the segment length ''a'' between the ri ...
in
hyperbolic geometry
In mathematics, hyperbolic geometry (also called Lobachevskian geometry or János Bolyai, Bolyai–Nikolai Lobachevsky, Lobachevskian geometry) is a non-Euclidean geometry. The parallel postulate of Euclidean geometry is replaced with:
:For a ...
. They are used to express
Lorentz boost
In physics, the Lorentz transformations are a six-parameter family of linear transformations from a coordinate frame in spacetime to another frame that moves at a constant velocity relative to the former. The respective inverse transformation ...
s as
hyperbolic rotations in
special relativity
In physics, the special theory of relativity, or special relativity for short, is a scientific theory of the relationship between Spacetime, space and time. In Albert Einstein's 1905 paper, Annus Mirabilis papers#Special relativity,
"On the Ele ...
. They also occur in the solutions of many linear
differential equations (such as the equation defining a
catenary
In physics and geometry, a catenary ( , ) is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or wire rope, cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends in a uniform gravitational field.
The catenary curve has a U-like shape, ...
),
cubic equations, and
Laplace's equation
In mathematics and physics, Laplace's equation is a second-order partial differential equation named after Pierre-Simon Laplace, who first studied its properties in 1786. This is often written as
\nabla^2\! f = 0 or \Delta f = 0,
where \Delt ...
in
Cartesian coordinates
In geometry, a Cartesian coordinate system (, ) in a plane is a coordinate system that specifies each point uniquely by a pair of real numbers called ''coordinates'', which are the signed distances to the point from two fixed perpendicular o ...
.
Laplace's equation
In mathematics and physics, Laplace's equation is a second-order partial differential equation named after Pierre-Simon Laplace, who first studied its properties in 1786. This is often written as
\nabla^2\! f = 0 or \Delta f = 0,
where \Delt ...
s are important in many areas of
physics
Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...
, including
electromagnetic theory
In physics, electromagnetism is an interaction that occurs between particles with electric charge via electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. It is the dominant force in the interact ...
,
heat transfer
Heat transfer is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the generation, use, conversion, and exchange of thermal energy (heat) between physical systems. Heat transfer is classified into various mechanisms, such as thermal conduction, ...
, and
fluid dynamics
In physics, physical chemistry and engineering, fluid dynamics is a subdiscipline of fluid mechanics that describes the flow of fluids – liquids and gases. It has several subdisciplines, including (the study of air and other gases in motion ...
.
The basic hyperbolic functions are:
* hyperbolic sine "" (),
* hyperbolic cosine "" (),
[''Collins Concise Dictionary'', p. 328]
from which are derived:
* hyperbolic tangent "" (),
* hyperbolic cotangent "" (),
* hyperbolic secant "" (),
* hyperbolic cosecant "" or "" (
)
corresponding to the derived trigonometric functions.
The
inverse hyperbolic functions
In mathematics, the inverse hyperbolic functions are inverses of the hyperbolic functions, analogous to the inverse circular functions. There are six in common use: inverse hyperbolic sine, inverse hyperbolic cosine, inverse hyperbolic tangen ...
are:
* inverse hyperbolic sine "" (also denoted "", "" or sometimes "")
* inverse hyperbolic cosine "" (also denoted "", "" or sometimes "")
* inverse hyperbolic tangent "" (also denoted "", "" or sometimes "")
* inverse hyperbolic cotangent "" (also denoted "", "" or sometimes "")
* inverse hyperbolic secant "" (also denoted "", "" or sometimes "")
* inverse hyperbolic cosecant "" (also denoted "", "", "","", "", or sometimes "" or "")

The hyperbolic functions take a
real argument
An argument is a series of sentences, statements, or propositions some of which are called premises and one is the conclusion. The purpose of an argument is to give reasons for one's conclusion via justification, explanation, and/or persu ...
called a
hyperbolic angle. The magnitude of a hyperbolic angle is the
area
Area is the measure of a region's size on a surface. The area of a plane region or ''plane area'' refers to the area of a shape or planar lamina, while '' surface area'' refers to the area of an open surface or the boundary of a three-di ...
of its
hyperbolic sector
A hyperbolic sector is a region (mathematics), region of the Cartesian plane bounded by a hyperbola and two ray (geometry), rays from the origin to it. For example, the two points and on the Hyperbola#Rectangular hyperbola, rectangular hyperbol ...
to ''xy'' = 1. The hyperbolic functions may be defined in terms of the
legs of a right triangle covering this sector.
In
complex analysis
Complex analysis, traditionally known as the theory of functions of a complex variable, is the branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of complex numbers. It is helpful in many branches of mathematics, including algebraic ...
, the hyperbolic functions arise when applying the ordinary sine and cosine functions to an imaginary angle. The hyperbolic sine and the hyperbolic cosine are
entire function
In complex analysis, an entire function, also called an integral function, is a complex-valued function that is holomorphic on the whole complex plane. Typical examples of entire functions are polynomials and the exponential function, and any ...
s. As a result, the other hyperbolic functions are
meromorphic in the whole complex plane.
By
Lindemann–Weierstrass theorem
In transcendental number theory, the Lindemann–Weierstrass theorem is a result that is very useful in establishing the transcendence of numbers. It states the following:
In other words, the extension field \mathbb(e^, \dots, e^) has transc ...
, the hyperbolic functions have a
transcendental value for every non-zero
algebraic value of the argument.
History
The first known calculation of a hyperbolic trigonometry problem is attributed to
Gerardus Mercator
Gerardus Mercator (; 5 March 1512 – 2 December 1594) was a Flemish people, Flemish geographer, cosmographer and Cartography, cartographer. He is most renowned for creating the Mercator 1569 world map, 1569 world map based on a new Mercator pr ...
when issuing the
Mercator map projection circa 1566. It requires tabulating solutions to a transcendental equation involving hyperbolic functions.
The first to suggest a similarity between the sector of the circle and that of the hyperbola was
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton () was an English polymath active as a mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author. Newton was a key figure in the Scientific Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment that followed ...
in his 1687
''Principia Mathematica''.
Roger Cotes suggested to modify the trigonometric functions using the
imaginary unit
The imaginary unit or unit imaginary number () is a mathematical constant that is a solution to the quadratic equation Although there is no real number with this property, can be used to extend the real numbers to what are called complex num ...
to obtain an oblate
spheroid
A spheroid, also known as an ellipsoid of revolution or rotational ellipsoid, is a quadric surface (mathematics), surface obtained by Surface of revolution, rotating an ellipse about one of its principal axes; in other words, an ellipsoid with t ...
from a prolate one.
Hyperbolic functions were formally introduced in 1757 by
Vincenzo Riccati.
Riccati used and () to refer to circular functions and and () to refer to hyperbolic functions.
As early as 1759,
Daviet de Foncenex showed the interchangeability of the trigonometric and hyperbolic functions using the imaginary unit and extended
de Moivre's formula to hyperbolic functions.
During the 1760s,
Johann Heinrich Lambert
Johann Heinrich Lambert (; ; 26 or 28 August 1728 – 25 September 1777) was a polymath from the Republic of Mulhouse, at that time allied to the Switzerland, Swiss Confederacy, who made important contributions to the subjects of mathematics, phys ...
systematized the use functions and provided exponential expressions in various publications.
[Bradley, Robert E.; D'Antonio, Lawrence A.; Sandifer, Charles Edward. ''Euler at 300: an appreciation.'' Mathematical Association of America, 2007. Page 100.] Lambert credited Riccati for the terminology and names of the functions, but altered the abbreviations to those used today.
Notation
Definitions

With
hyperbolic angle ''u'', the hyperbolic functions sinh and cosh can defined with the
exponential function e
u.
In the figure
.
Exponential definitions
* Hyperbolic sine: the
odd part of the exponential function, that is,
* Hyperbolic cosine: the
even part of the exponential function, that is,
* Hyperbolic tangent:
* Hyperbolic cotangent: for ,
* Hyperbolic secant:
* Hyperbolic cosecant: for ,
Differential equation definitions
The hyperbolic functions may be defined as solutions of
differential equations: The hyperbolic sine and cosine are the solution of the system
with the initial conditions
The initial conditions make the solution unique; without them any pair of functions
would be a solution.
and are also the unique solution of the equation ,
such that , for the hyperbolic cosine, and , for the hyperbolic sine.
Complex trigonometric definitions
Hyperbolic functions may also be deduced from
trigonometric function
In mathematics, the trigonometric functions (also called circular functions, angle functions or goniometric functions) are real functions which relate an angle of a right-angled triangle to ratios of two side lengths. They are widely used in all ...
s with
complex
Complex commonly refers to:
* Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe
** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
arguments:
* Hyperbolic sine:
* Hyperbolic cosine:
* Hyperbolic tangent:
* Hyperbolic cotangent:
* Hyperbolic secant:
* Hyperbolic cosecant:
where is the
imaginary unit
The imaginary unit or unit imaginary number () is a mathematical constant that is a solution to the quadratic equation Although there is no real number with this property, can be used to extend the real numbers to what are called complex num ...
with .
The above definitions are related to the exponential definitions via
Euler's formula
Euler's formula, named after Leonhard Euler, is a mathematical formula in complex analysis that establishes the fundamental relationship between the trigonometric functions and the complex exponential function. Euler's formula states that, for ...
(See below).
Characterizing properties
Hyperbolic cosine
It can be shown that the
area under the curve of the hyperbolic cosine (over a finite interval) is always equal to the
arc length
Arc length is the distance between two points along a section of a curve. Development of a formulation of arc length suitable for applications to mathematics and the sciences is a problem in vector calculus and in differential geometry. In the ...
corresponding to that interval:
Hyperbolic tangent
The hyperbolic tangent is the (unique) solution to the
differential equation , with .
Useful relations
The hyperbolic functions satisfy many identities, all of them similar in form to the
trigonometric identities. In fact, Osborn's rule
states that one can convert any trigonometric identity (up to but not including sinhs or implied sinhs of 4th degree) for
,
,
or
and
into a hyperbolic identity, by:
# expanding it completely in terms of integral powers of sines and cosines,
# changing sine to sinh and cosine to cosh, and
# switching the sign of every term containing a product of two sinhs.
Odd and even functions:
Hence:
Thus, and are
even functions; the others are
odd functions
In mathematics, an even function is a real function such that f(-x)=f(x) for every x in its domain of a function, domain. Similarly, an odd function is a function such that f(-x)=-f(x) for every x in its domain.
They are named for the parity ...
.
Hyperbolic sine and cosine satisfy:
which are analogous to
Euler's formula
Euler's formula, named after Leonhard Euler, is a mathematical formula in complex analysis that establishes the fundamental relationship between the trigonometric functions and the complex exponential function. Euler's formula states that, for ...
, and
which is analogous to the
Pythagorean trigonometric identity
The Pythagorean trigonometric identity, also called simply the Pythagorean identity, is an identity expressing the Pythagorean theorem in terms of trigonometric functions. Along with the sum-of-angles formulae, it is one of the basic relations ...
.
One also has
for the other functions.
Sums of arguments
particularly
Also:
Subtraction formulas
Also:
Half argument formulas
where is the
sign function
In mathematics, the sign function or signum function (from '' signum'', Latin for "sign") is a function that has the value , or according to whether the sign of a given real number is positive or negative, or the given number is itself zer ...
.
If , then
Square formulas
Inequalities
The following inequality is useful in statistics:
It can be proved by comparing the Taylor series of the two functions term by term.
Inverse functions as logarithms
Derivatives
Second derivatives
Each of the functions and is equal to its
second derivative
In calculus, the second derivative, or the second-order derivative, of a function is the derivative of the derivative of . Informally, the second derivative can be phrased as "the rate of change of the rate of change"; for example, the secon ...
, that is:
All functions with this property are
linear combination
In mathematics, a linear combination or superposition is an Expression (mathematics), expression constructed from a Set (mathematics), set of terms by multiplying each term by a constant and adding the results (e.g. a linear combination of ''x'' a ...
s of and , in particular the
exponential functions
and
.
Standard integrals
The following integrals can be proved using
hyperbolic substitution:
where ''C'' is the
constant of integration
In calculus, the constant of integration, often denoted by C (or c), is a constant term added to an antiderivative of a function f(x) to indicate that the indefinite integral of f(x) (i.e., the set of all antiderivatives of f(x)), on a connecte ...
.
Taylor series expressions
It is possible to express explicitly the
Taylor series
In mathematics, the Taylor series or Taylor expansion of a function is an infinite sum of terms that are expressed in terms of the function's derivatives at a single point. For most common functions, the function and the sum of its Taylor ser ...
at zero (or the
Laurent series
In mathematics, the Laurent series of a complex function f(z) is a representation of that function as a power series which includes terms of negative degree. It may be used to express complex functions in cases where a Taylor series expansio ...
, if the function is not defined at zero) of the above functions.
This series is
convergent for every
complex
Complex commonly refers to:
* Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe
** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
value of . Since the function is
odd, only odd exponents for occur in its Taylor series.
This series is
convergent for every
complex
Complex commonly refers to:
* Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe
** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
value of . Since the function is
even, only even exponents for occur in its Taylor series.
The sum of the sinh and cosh series is the
infinite series
In mathematics, a series is, roughly speaking, an addition of infinitely many terms, one after the other. The study of series is a major part of calculus and its generalization, mathematical analysis. Series are used in most areas of mathemati ...
expression of the
exponential function.
The following series are followed by a description of a subset of their
domain of convergence, where the series is convergent and its sum equals the function.
where:
*
is the ''n''th
Bernoulli number
In mathematics, the Bernoulli numbers are a sequence of rational numbers which occur frequently in analysis. The Bernoulli numbers appear in (and can be defined by) the Taylor series expansions of the tangent and hyperbolic tangent function ...
*
is the ''n''th
Euler number
Leonhard Euler ( ; ; ; 15 April 170718 September 1783) was a Swiss polymath who was active as a mathematician, physicist, astronomer, logician, geographer, and engineer. He founded the studies of graph theory and topology and made influential ...
Infinite products and continued fractions
The following expansions are valid in the whole complex plane:
:
:
:
Comparison with circular functions

The hyperbolic functions represent an expansion of
trigonometry
Trigonometry () is a branch of mathematics concerned with relationships between angles and side lengths of triangles. In particular, the trigonometric functions relate the angles of a right triangle with ratios of its side lengths. The fiel ...
beyond the
circular function
In mathematics, the trigonometric functions (also called circular functions, angle functions or goniometric functions) are real functions which relate an angle of a right-angled triangle to ratios of two side lengths. They are widely used in all ...
s. Both types depend on an
argument
An argument is a series of sentences, statements, or propositions some of which are called premises and one is the conclusion. The purpose of an argument is to give reasons for one's conclusion via justification, explanation, and/or persu ...
, either
circular angle or
hyperbolic angle.
Since the
area of a circular sector with radius and angle (in radians) is , it will be equal to when . In the diagram, such a circle is tangent to the hyperbola ''xy'' = 1 at (1,1). The yellow sector depicts an area and angle magnitude. Similarly, the yellow and red regions together depict a
hyperbolic sector
A hyperbolic sector is a region (mathematics), region of the Cartesian plane bounded by a hyperbola and two ray (geometry), rays from the origin to it. For example, the two points and on the Hyperbola#Rectangular hyperbola, rectangular hyperbol ...
with area corresponding to hyperbolic angle magnitude.
The legs of the two
right triangle
A right triangle or right-angled triangle, sometimes called an orthogonal triangle or rectangular triangle, is a triangle in which two sides are perpendicular, forming a right angle ( turn or 90 degrees).
The side opposite to the right angle i ...
s with hypotenuse on the ray defining the angles are of length times the circular and hyperbolic functions.
The hyperbolic angle is an
invariant measure
In mathematics, an invariant measure is a measure that is preserved by some function. The function may be a geometric transformation. For examples, circular angle is invariant under rotation, hyperbolic angle is invariant under squeeze mappin ...
with respect to the
squeeze mapping
In linear algebra, a squeeze mapping, also called a squeeze transformation, is a type of linear map that preserves Euclidean area of regions in the Cartesian plane, but is ''not'' a rotation (mathematics), rotation or shear mapping.
For a fixed p ...
, just as the circular angle is invariant under rotation.
[ Haskell, Mellen W., "On the introduction of the notion of hyperbolic functions", ]Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society
The ''Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society'' is a quarterly mathematical journal published by the American Mathematical Society.
Scope
It publishes surveys on contemporary research topics, written at a level accessible to non-experts. ...
1:6:155–9
full text
/ref>
The Gudermannian function
In mathematics, the Gudermannian function relates a hyperbolic angle measure \psi to a circular angle measure \phi called the ''gudermannian'' of \psi and denoted \operatorname\psi. The Gudermannian function reveals a close relationship betwe ...
gives a direct relationship between the circular functions and the hyperbolic functions that does not involve complex numbers.
The graph of the function is the catenary
In physics and geometry, a catenary ( , ) is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or wire rope, cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends in a uniform gravitational field.
The catenary curve has a U-like shape, ...
, the curve formed by a uniform flexible chain, hanging freely between two fixed points under uniform gravity.
Relationship to the exponential function
The decomposition of the exponential function in its even and odd parts gives the identities
and
Combined with Euler's formula
Euler's formula, named after Leonhard Euler, is a mathematical formula in complex analysis that establishes the fundamental relationship between the trigonometric functions and the complex exponential function. Euler's formula states that, for ...
this gives
for the general complex exponential function.
Additionally,
Hyperbolic functions for complex numbers
Since the exponential function can be defined for any complex
Complex commonly refers to:
* Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe
** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
argument, we can also extend the definitions of the hyperbolic functions to complex arguments. The functions and are then holomorphic.
Relationships to ordinary trigonometric functions are given by Euler's formula
Euler's formula, named after Leonhard Euler, is a mathematical formula in complex analysis that establishes the fundamental relationship between the trigonometric functions and the complex exponential function. Euler's formula states that, for ...
for complex numbers:
so:
Thus, hyperbolic functions are periodic with respect to the imaginary component, with period ( for hyperbolic tangent and cotangent).
See also
* e (mathematical constant)
The number is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.71828 that is the base of a logarithm, base of the natural logarithm and exponential function. It is sometimes called Euler's number, after the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Eule ...
* Equal incircles theorem, based on sinh
* Hyperbolastic functions
The hyperbolastic functions, also known as hyperbolastic growth models, are Function (mathematics), mathematical functions that are used in medical statistical modeling. These models were originally developed to capture the growth dynamics ...
* Hyperbolic growth
* Inverse hyperbolic function
In mathematics, the inverse hyperbolic functions are inverses of the hyperbolic functions, analogous to the inverse circular functions. There are six in common use: inverse hyperbolic sine, inverse hyperbolic cosine, inverse hyperbolic tangen ...
s
* List of integrals of hyperbolic functions
* Poinsot's spirals
* Sigmoid function
A sigmoid function is any mathematical function whose graph of a function, graph has a characteristic S-shaped or sigmoid curve.
A common example of a sigmoid function is the logistic function, which is defined by the formula
:\sigma(x ...
* Soboleva modified hyperbolic tangent
* Trigonometric functions
In mathematics, the trigonometric functions (also called circular functions, angle functions or goniometric functions) are real functions which relate an angle of a right-angled triangle to ratios of two side lengths. They are widely used in all ...
References
External links
*
Hyperbolic functions
on PlanetMath
PlanetMath is a free content, free, collaborative, mathematics online encyclopedia. Intended to be comprehensive, the project is currently hosted by the University of Waterloo. The site is owned by a US-based nonprofit corporation, "PlanetMath.org ...
GonioLab
Visualization of the unit circle, trigonometric and hyperbolic functions ( Java Web Start)
Web-based calculator of hyperbolic functions
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hyperbolic Function
Exponentials
Hyperbolic geometry
Analytic functions