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Gudermannian function

Gudermannian function is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Gudermannian function rather than just read about it. In short: In mathematics, the Gudermannian function relates a hyperbolic angle measure ψ {\textstyle \psi } to a circular angle measure ϕ {\textstyle \phi } called the gudermannian of ψ {\textstyle \psi } and denoted gd ⁡ ψ {\textstyle \operatorname {gd} \psi } . The Gudermannian function reveals a close relationship between the circular functions and hyperbolic functions.

Gudermannian function — main illustration
Gudermannian function — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Gudermannian function belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Gudermannian function to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Gudermannian function from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In mathematics, the Gudermannian function relates a hyperbolic angle measure ψ {\textstyle \psi } to a circular angle measure ϕ {\textstyle \phi } called the gudermannian of ψ {\textstyle \psi } and denoted gd ⁡ ψ {\textstyle \operatorname {gd} \psi } . The Gudermannian function reveals a close relationship between the circular functions and hyperbolic functions. It was introduced in the 1760s by Johann Heinrich Lambert, and later named for Christoph Gudermann who also described the relationship between circular and hyperbolic functions in 1830. The Gudermannian function and its inverse were used historically to construct tables of hyperbolic functions or to compute hyperbolic functions given only a table of circular functions. The gudermannian is sometimes called the hyperbolic amplitude as a limiting case of the Jacobi elliptic amplitude am ⁡ ( ψ , m ) {\textstyle \operatorname {am} (\psi ,m)} when parameter m = 1. {\textstyle m=1.}

The real Gudermannian function is typically defined for − ∞ < ψ < ∞ {\textstyle -\infty <\psi <\infty } to be the integral of the hyperbolic secant

ϕ = gd ⁡ ψ ≡ ∫ 0 ψ sech ⁡ t d t = arctan ⁡ ( sinh ⁡ ψ ) . {\displaystyle \phi =\operatorname {gd} \psi \equiv \int _{0}^{\psi }\operatorname {sech} t\,\mathrm {d} t=\operatorname {arctan} (\sinh \psi ).}

The real inverse Gudermannian function can be defined for − 1 2 π < ϕ < 1 2 π {\textstyle -{\tfrac {1}{2}}\pi <\phi <{\tfrac {1}{2}}\pi } as the integral of the (circular) secant

ψ = gd − 1 ⁡ ϕ = ∫ 0 ϕ sec ⁡ t d t = arsinh ⁡ ( tan ⁡ ϕ ) . {\displaystyle \psi =\operatorname {gd} ^{-1}\phi =\int _{0}^{\phi }\operatorname {sec} t\,\mathrm {d} t=\operatorname {arsinh} (\tan \phi ).}

The hyperbolic angle measure ψ = gd − 1 ⁡ ϕ {\displaystyle \psi =\operatorname {gd} ^{-1}\phi } is called the anti-gudermannian of ϕ {\displaystyle \phi } or sometimes the lambertian of ϕ {\displaystyle \phi } , denoted ψ = lam ⁡ ϕ . {\displaystyle \psi =\operatorname {lam} \phi .} In the context of geodesy and navigation for latitude ϕ {\textstyle \phi } , k gd − 1 ⁡ ϕ {\displaystyle k\operatorname {gd} ^{-1}\phi } (scaled by arbitrary constant k {\textstyle k} ) was historically called the meridional part of ϕ {\displaystyle \phi } (French: latitude croissante). It is the vertical coordinate of the Mercator projection. The two angle measures ϕ {\textstyle \phi } and ψ {\textstyle \psi } are related by a common stereographic projection

s = tan ⁡ 1 2 ϕ = tanh ⁡ 1 2 ψ , {\displaystyle s=\tan {\tfrac {1}{2}}\phi =\tanh {\tfrac {1}{2}}\psi ,}

and this identity can serve as an alternative definition for gd {\textstyle \operatorname {gd} } and gd − 1 {\textstyle \operatorname {gd} ^{-1}} valid throughout the complex plane:

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Gudermannian function: The Gudermannian function relates the area of a circular sector to the area of a hyperbolic sector, via a common stereographic projection. If twice the area of the blue hyperbolic sector is ψ, then twice the area of the red circular sector is ϕ = gd ψ. Twice the area of the purple triangle is the stereographic projection s = tan .mw-parser-output .sfrac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .sfrac.tion,.mw-parser-output .sfrac .tion{display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.5em;font-size:85%;text-align:center;margin-left:.1em;margin-right:.1em}.mw-parser-output .sfrac .num{display:block;border-bottom:1px solid}.mw-parser-output .sfrac .den{display:block;line-height:1.5em}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}⁠1/2⁠ϕ = tanh ⁠1/2⁠ψ. The blue point has coordinates (cosh ψ, sinh ψ). The red point has coordinates (cos ϕ, sin ϕ). The purple point has coordinates (0, s).
The Gudermannian function relates the area of a circular sector to the area of a hyperbolic sector, via a common stereographic projection. If twice the area of the blue hyperbolic sector is ψ, then twice the area of the red circular sector is ϕ = gd ψ. Twice the area of the purple triangle is the stereographic projection s = tan .mw-parser-output .sfrac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .sfrac.tion,.mw-parser-output .sfrac .tion{display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.5em;font-size:85%;text-align:center;margin-left:.1em;margin-right:.1em}.mw-parser-output .sfrac .num{display:block;border-bottom:1px solid}.mw-parser-output .sfrac .den{display:block;line-height:1.5em}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}⁠1/2⁠ϕ = tanh ⁠1/2⁠ψ. The blue point has coordinates (cosh ψ, sinh ψ). The red point has coordinates (cos ϕ, sin ϕ). The purple point has coordinates (0, s).
Gudermannian function: Graph of the Gudermannian function.
Graph of the Gudermannian function.
Gudermannian function: Graph of the inverse Gudermannian function.
Graph of the inverse Gudermannian function.
Gudermannian function: Identities related to the Gudermannian function represented graphically.
Identities related to the Gudermannian function represented graphically.
Gudermannian function: The Gudermannian function z ↦ gd z is a conformal map from an infinite strip to an infinite strip. It can be broken into two parts: a map z ↦ tanh ⁠1/2⁠z from one infinite strip to the complex unit disk and a map ζ ↦ 2 arctan ζ from the disk to the other infinite strip.
The Gudermannian function z ↦ gd z is a conformal map from an infinite strip to an infinite strip. It can be broken into two parts: a map z ↦ tanh ⁠1/2⁠z from one infinite strip to the complex unit disk and a map ζ ↦ 2 arctan ζ from the disk to the other infinite strip.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Gudermannian function

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Gudermannian function claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Gudermannian function before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Gudermannian function ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Gudermannian function

In research
Gudermannian function appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Gudermannian function in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Gudermannian function is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Elementary special functions, Exponentials, Sigmoid functions, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Gudermannian function outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Gudermannian function in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Gudermannian function means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Gudermannian function out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gudermannian function in simple terms?

In mathematics, the Gudermannian function relates a hyperbolic angle measure ψ {\textstyle \psi } to a circular angle measure ϕ {\textstyle \phi } called the gudermannian of ψ {\textstyle \psi } and denoted gd ⁡ ψ {\textstyle \operatorname {gd} \psi } . The Gudermannian function reveals a close rel…

Why does Gudermannian function matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Gudermannian function?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Gudermannian function.

Tags

  • Elementary special functions
  • Exponentials
  • Sigmoid functions
  • Trigonometry

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