Q.Find the derivative of the function given by $f(x) = \sin(x^2)$.

Showing the 12 most recent of 23 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.Given that $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[\int_0^{\phi(x)} f(t)\,dt\right]=\phi'(f(x))f'(x)$. If $\int_0^{x^3} f(t)\,dt = x^2\sin2\pi x$, then the value of f(8) is (A) $2\pi/3$ (B) $4\pi/3$ (C) $\pi/3$ (D) $\pi/12$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Differentiate the given identity using the chain-rule form of Leibniz's theorem, then plug in $x=2$ (since $2^3=8$) to isolate $f(8)$.

   Concept and Intuition

   When the upper limit of an integral is itself a function of $x$ (here $x^3$), differentiating $\int_0^{\phi(x)} f(t)\,dt$ with respect to $x$ brings down $f(\phi(x))\cdot \phi'(x)$ by the chain rule — exactly analogous to differentiating a composite function.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Given: $\displaystyle\int_0^{x^3} f(t)\,dt = x^2\sin(2\pi x)$.
   2. Differentiate both sides w.r.t. $x$. LHS: $\dfrac{d}{dx}\int_0^{x^3}f(t)dt = f(x^3)\cdot 3x^2$ (chain rule on the upper limit).
   3. RHS: $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[x^2\sin(2\pi x)\right]=2x\sin(2\pi x)+x^2\cdot 2\pi\cos(2\pi x)$.
   4. So $3x^2 f(x^3)=2x\sin(2\pi x)+2\pi x^2\cos(2\pi x)$. …

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2. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $f'(x) = \sqrt{2x^2 - 1}$ and $y = f(x^3)$, then find the value of $\dfrac{dy}{dx}$ at $x = 1$. (A) -1 (B) 3 (C) 0 (D) -3

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Direct chain-rule application: $y=f(x^3)$ gives $y'=3x^2 f'(x^3)$, evaluated using the given formula for $f'$.

   Concept and Intuition

   When $y$ is a composition $f(g(x))$, the chain rule multiplies the outer derivative (evaluated at the inner function) by the inner function's derivative.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $y=f(x^3)$, so $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=f'(x^3)\cdot\dfrac{d}{dx}(x^3)=f'(x^3)\cdot 3x^2$.
   2. At $x=1$: inner value is $x^3=1$, so we need $f'(1)=\sqrt{2(1)^2-1}=\sqrt{1}=1$.
   3. Then $\dfrac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x=1}=1\cdot 3(1)^2=3$.

   Common Mistakes …

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3. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y = \mathrm{Sec}^{-1}\left(\dfrac{1+x^2}{2x}\right)$ and $x > 1$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{1+x^2}$ (B) $\dfrac{2}{1+x^2}$ (C) $-\dfrac{1}{1+x^2}$ (D) $-\dfrac{2}{1+x^2}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Differentiating the inverse secant of a rational expression using the chain rule and careful algebraic simplification gives $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{2}{1+x^2}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   For $y=\mathrm{Sec}^{-1}(u)$, the derivative formula is $\dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{1}{|u|\sqrt{u^2-1}}\cdot\dfrac{du}{dx}$. Here $u=\dfrac{1+x^2}{2x}$ is positive for $x>1$, so we can drop the absolute value and just carefully simplify the algebra — the key insight is recognizing that $u^2-1$ factors as a perfect square-like expression involving $(x^2-1)^2$, which simplifies the square root beautifully.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $u = \dfrac{1+x^2}{2x}$. Compute $\dfrac{du}{dx}$ using the quotient rule: $u' = \dfrac{2x(2x) - (1+x^2)(2)}{(2x)^2} = \dfrac{4x^2-2-2x^2}{4x^2} = \dfrac{2x^2-2}{4x^2} = \dfrac{x^2-1}{2x^2}$.
   2. Compute $u^2-1$: $u^2-1 = \dfrac{(1+x^2)^2-4x^2}{4x^2} = \dfrac{(1+x^2-2x)(1+x^2+2x)}{4x^2} = \dfrac{(x-1)^2(x+1)^2}{4x^2}$.
   3. So $\sqrt{u^2-1} = \dfrac{|x-1||x+1|}{2|x|} = \dfrac{|x^2-1|}{2|x|}$. For $x>1$: $x^2-1>0$ and $x>0$, so $\sqrt{u^2-1}=\dfrac{x^2-1}{2x}$.
   4. For $x>1$, $u = \dfrac{1+x^2}{2x}>0$, so $|u|=u=\dfrac{1+x^2}{2x}$. …

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4. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y = \sin(\sin x)$ and $y'' + f(x)\cdot y' + g(x)\cdot y = 0$, then $f(x)\cdot g(x) =$ ______ (A) $\dfrac{1}{2}\sin(2x)$ (B) $\dfrac{1}{2}\cos(2x)$ (C) $\sin(2x)$ (D) $\cos(2x)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This tests forming the second-order ODE satisfied by $y=\sin(\sin x)$ by eliminating trig functions in favor of $y$ and $y'$. The answer is $f(x)g(x)=\tfrac12\sin2x$.

   Concept and Intuition

   The idea is to differentiate $y$ twice, then rewrite the resulting expression purely in terms of $y$ and $y'$ (using the fact that $y'$ itself contains $\cos(\sin x)$), so that we can read off $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ by matching coefficients.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $y=\sin(\sin x)\Rightarrow y'=\cos x\cos(\sin x)$.
   2. $y''=-\sin x\cos(\sin x)+\cos x\cdot(-\sin(\sin x))\cos x=-\sin x\cos(\sin x)-\cos^2x\sin(\sin x)$.
   3. From step 1, $\cos(\sin x)=\dfrac{y'}{\cos x}$, so $-\sin x\cos(\sin x)=-\sin x\cdot\dfrac{y'}{\cos x}=-\tan x\,y'$.
   4. Also $\sin(\sin x)=y$, so the second term is $-\cos^2x\,y$.
   5. Hence $y''=-\tan x\,y'-\cos^2x\,y$, i.e. $y''+\tan x\,y'+\cos^2x\,y=0$. …

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5. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $f(x) = \sec^{-1}\left(\dfrac{1}{2x^2-1}\right)$ and $g(x) = \tan^{-1}\left(\dfrac{\sqrt{1+x^2}-1}{x}\right)$, then the derivative of $f(x)$ with respect to $g(x)$ is (A) $\dfrac{1+x^2}{4\sqrt{1-x^2}}$ (B) $\dfrac{1-x^2}{4\sqrt{1+x^2}}$ (C) $-\dfrac{4(1-x^2)}{\sqrt{1+x^2}}$ (D) $-\dfrac{4(1+x^2)}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Simplify both $f$ and $g$ using standard inverse-trig substitutions, then take the ratio of derivatives. Answer: $\dfrac{df}{dg}=-\dfrac{4(1+x^2)}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   $\dfrac{df}{dg}$ means $\dfrac{df/dx}{dg/dx}$. Both $f$ and $g$ are compositions of inverse trig functions that simplify beautifully with the right substitution ($x=\cos\theta$-type for $f$, $x=\tan\theta$ for $g$), turning ugly inverse-trig expressions into simple linear multiples of $\tan^{-1}x$ or $\cos^{-1}x$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $f(x)=\sec^{-1}\left(\dfrac{1}{2x^2-1}\right)=\cos^{-1}(2x^2-1)$ since $\sec^{-1}(1/u)=\cos^{-1}u$.
   2. For $x\in(0,1)$, write $x=\cos\theta$: then $2x^2-1=2\cos^2\theta-1=\cos2\theta$, so $f=\cos^{-1}(\cos2\theta)=2\theta=2\cos^{-1}x$.
   3. $f'(x) = 2\cdot\left(-\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\right) = -\dfrac{2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$.
   4. For $g$: put $x=\tan\theta$, so $\sqrt{1+x^2}=\sec\theta$. Then $\dfrac{\sqrt{1+x^2}-1}{x}=\dfrac{\sec\theta-1}{\tan\theta}=\dfrac{1-\cos\theta}{\sin\theta}=\tan\left(\dfrac{\theta}{2}\right)$.
   5. So $g(x)=\tan^{-1}\left(\tan\dfrac{\theta}{2}\right)=\dfrac{\theta}{2}=\dfrac12\tan^{-1}x$. …

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6. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.Find the value of 'k' if $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left\{\dfrac{2}{\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+2\cos(4x)}}}}\right\} = k\sec\left(\dfrac{x}{2}\right)\tan\left(\dfrac{x}{2}\right)$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{2}$ (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) $\dfrac{1}{8}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Repeatedly apply the half-angle identity $2+2\cos\phi=4\cos^2(\phi/2)$ to peel away the nested square roots, collapsing the whole expression to a simple $\sec(x/2)$.

   Concept and Intuition

   The identity $1+\cos\phi=2\cos^2(\phi/2)$ (i.e. $2+2\cos\phi=4\cos^2(\phi/2)$) is exactly designed to simplify nested square-root expressions of this kind — applying it repeatedly, from the innermost root outward, collapses the whole tower.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Innermost: $2+2\cos4x = 4\cos^2(2x)$ (using $2+2\cos\phi=4\cos^2(\phi/2)$ with $\phi=4x$). So $\sqrt{2+2\cos4x}=2\cos2x$ (taking $\cos2x>0$).
   2. Next level: $2+\sqrt{2+2\cos4x}=2+2\cos2x = 4\cos^2x$. So $\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+2\cos4x}} = 2\cos x$.
   3. Next level: $2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+2\cos4x}} = 2+2\cos x = 4\cos^2(x/2)$. So $\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+2\cos4x}}} = 2\cos(x/2)$.
   4. So the whole expression is $\dfrac{2}{2\cos(x/2)} = \sec(x/2)$.
   5. Differentiate: $\dfrac{d}{dx}\sec(x/2) = \sec(x/2)\tan(x/2)\cdot\dfrac12$. …

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7. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $u = \sin\left(\dfrac{x}{y}\right)$, $x = e^t$ and $y = t^2$, then $t^6 \left(\dfrac{du}{dt}\right)^2 \div e^{2t}(t-2)^2 =$ (A) $2u$ (B) $u^2$ (C) $1 - u^2$ (D) $\cos u$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Differentiating $u=\sin(x/y)$ with $x=e^t,y=t^2$ and simplifying the given combination leaves exactly $\cos^2(x/y)=1-u^2$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Compute $du/dt$ via the chain rule, then see how the algebraic combination in the question is designed to cancel everything except $\cos^2(x/y)$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\dfrac{x}{y}=\dfrac{e^t}{t^2}$. $\dfrac{d}{dt}\left(\dfrac{e^t}{t^2}\right) = \dfrac{e^tt^2-e^t\cdot2t}{t^4}=\dfrac{e^t(t-2)}{t^3}$.
   2. $\dfrac{du}{dt}=\cos\left(\dfrac{x}{y}\right)\cdot\dfrac{e^t(t-2)}{t^3}$.
   3. $\left(\dfrac{du}{dt}\right)^2 = \cos^2\left(\dfrac{x}{y}\right)\cdot\dfrac{e^{2t}(t-2)^2}{t^6}$. …

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8. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y = \sin\left(2\tan^{-1}\left(\sqrt{\dfrac{1-x}{1+x}}\right)\right)$, $x = \cos 2\theta$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{x}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$ (B) $-\cot 2\theta$ (C) $\tan 2\theta$ (D) $\dfrac{-x}{2\sqrt{1 - x^2}}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Substituting $x=\cos2\theta$ collapses the arctan expression to $\theta$ itself, turning this into a simple parametric-derivative problem.

   Concept and Intuition

   $\sqrt{\dfrac{1-\cos2\theta}{1+\cos2\theta}}=\sqrt{\dfrac{2\sin^2\theta}{2\cos^2\theta}}=|\tan\theta|$, and $2\tan^{-1}(\tan\theta)=2\theta$ (for $\theta$ in the principal range), so $y=\sin2\theta$ directly — the whole problem becomes parametric differentiation with parameter $\theta$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\dfrac{1-\cos2\theta}{1+\cos2\theta}=\dfrac{2\sin^2\theta}{2\cos^2\theta}=\tan^2\theta\Rightarrow\sqrt{\cdots}=\tan\theta$.
   2. $\tan^{-1}(\tan\theta)=\theta\Rightarrow y=\sin(2\theta)$.
   3. Parametrically, $x=\cos2\theta$, $y=\sin2\theta$: $\dfrac{dx}{d\theta}=-2\sin2\theta$, $\dfrac{dy}{d\theta}=2\cos2\theta$. …

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9. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y = \sqrt{\cosh x + \sqrt{\cosh x}}$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{\sinh x (2y^2 + 2\cosh x + 1)}{4y(y^2 + \cosh x)}$ (B) $\dfrac{\sinh x (2y^2 - 2\cosh x - 1)}{4y(y^2 - \cosh x)}$ (C) $\dfrac{\sinh x (1 - 2\sqrt{\cosh x})}{4y\sqrt{\cosh x}}$ (D) $\dfrac{\sinh x (1 + 2\sqrt{\cosh x})}{4y\sqrt{\cosh x}}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Square both sides to remove the outer root, differentiate implicitly, then

   tidy the resulting fraction — the answer comes out directly in terms of $y$

   and $\cosh x$, matching option (D).

   Concept and Intuition

   When $y$ is defined as a nested square root, it's usually easier to square first

   ($y^2=$ the inside) and differentiate implicitly rather than applying the chain

   rule twice directly to the nested radical — this avoids stacking two

   $\tfrac{1}{2\sqrt{\cdot}}$ factors and keeps the algebra manageable.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $y=\sqrt{\cosh x+\sqrt{\cosh x}}\ \Rightarrow\ y^2=\cosh x+\sqrt{\cosh x}$.
   2. Differentiate both sides w.r.t. $x$: $2y\,\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\sinh x+\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{\cosh x}}\cdot\sinh x=\sinh x\left(1+\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{\cosh x}}\right)$.
   3. Combine the bracket over a common denominator: $1+\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{\cosh x}}=\dfrac{2\sqrt{\cosh x}+1}{2\sqrt{\cosh x}}$.
   4. So $2y\,y'=\dfrac{\sinh x\,(2\sqrt{\cosh x}+1)}{2\sqrt{\cosh x}}$. …

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10. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $y = \mathrm{Tan}^{-1}\sqrt{x^2 - 1} + \mathrm{Sinh}^{-1}\sqrt{x^2 - 1}$, $x > 1$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}$ (B) $\dfrac{x+1}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}$ (C) $\dfrac{x+1}{x^2\sqrt{x^2-1}}$ (D) $\dfrac{x}{\sqrt{x^2-1}}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Both inverse-function derivatives share the same inner derivative

    $u'=x/\sqrt{x^2-1}$; the $1+u^2$ under $\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}$ and $\sqrt{1+u^2}$ under

    $\mathrm{Sinh}^{-1}$ both simplify beautifully because $u^2=x^2-1$, so $1+u^2=x^2$.

    Concept and Intuition

    Both $\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}$ and $\mathrm{Sinh}^{-1}$ have derivative formulas built around

    $1+u^2$ (as $\dfrac{1}{1+u^2}$ and $\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1+u^2}}$ respectively). Here

    $u=\sqrt{x^2-1}$ makes $1+u^2=x^2$ exactly, a clean perfect square — this is why

    the two inverse functions are paired together in the problem, since they

    combine so tidily.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Let $u=\sqrt{x^2-1}$. Then $u'=\dfrac{x}{\sqrt{x^2-1}}$ and $1+u^2 = 1+(x^2-1)=x^2$.
    2. $\dfrac{d}{dx}\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}u=\dfrac{u'}{1+u^2}=\dfrac{x/\sqrt{x^2-1}}{x^2}=\dfrac{1}{x\sqrt{x^2-1}}$.
    3. $\dfrac{d}{dx}\mathrm{Sinh}^{-1}u=\dfrac{u'}{\sqrt{1+u^2}}=\dfrac{x/\sqrt{x^2-1}}{\sqrt{x^2}}=\dfrac{x/\sqrt{x^2-1}}{x}=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x^2-1}}$ (since $x>1$ means $\sqrt{x^2}=x$, not $|x|$ ambiguity). …

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11. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $f(x) = \sqrt{2^{2x}\log(3x-2)}$, then $f'(2) =$ (A) $\dfrac{4\log 2 \log 4 + 3}{\sqrt{\log 4}}$ (B) $\dfrac{8(\log 2)^2 + 3}{2\sqrt{\log 4}}$ (C) $\dfrac{8(\log 4)^2 + 3}{2\sqrt{\log 4}}$ (D) $\dfrac{8\log 2 \log 4 + 3}{2\sqrt{\log 4}}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Differentiate $f(x)=\sqrt{2^{2x}\log(3x-2)}$ using the chain rule on the square root and the product rule inside; at $x=2$ this evaluates to $\dfrac{8\log2\log4+3}{2\sqrt{\log4}}$.

    Concept and Intuition

    Whenever a function is a square root of a product, write $f=\sqrt L$ so $f' = \dfrac{L'}{2\sqrt L}$ (chain rule), then find $L'$ using the product rule since $L(x)=2^{2x}\cdot\log(3x-2)$ is a product of an exponential and a log term. This two-layer differentiation is the key technique.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Let $L(x) = 2^{2x}\log(3x-2)$, so $f(x)=\sqrt{L(x)}$ and $f'(x) = \dfrac{L'(x)}{2\sqrt{L(x)}}$.
    2. Evaluate $L(2)$: $2^{2(2)}=2^4=16$; $\log(3(2)-2)=\log 4$. So $L(2) = 16\log 4$, and $\sqrt{L(2)} = \sqrt{16\log4} = 4\sqrt{\log4}$.
    3. Find $L'(x)$ by the product rule: $L'(x) = \dfrac{d}{dx}\left[2^{2x}\right]\log(3x-2) + 2^{2x}\cdot\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[\log(3x-2)\right]$.
    4. $\dfrac{d}{dx}2^{2x} = 2^{2x}\cdot\ln2\cdot 2 = 2\cdot2^{2x}\log2$ (using $\log$ as natural log consistently), i.e. $2^{2x+1}\log2$.
    5. $\dfrac{d}{dx}\log(3x-2) = \dfrac{3}{3x-2}$.
    6. So $L'(x) = 2^{2x+1}\log2\cdot\log(3x-2) + 2^{2x}\cdot\dfrac{3}{3x-2}$. …

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12. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $x = 2\cos^3\theta$ and $y = 3\sin^2\theta$, then $\frac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $-\sec\theta$ (B) $\cos\theta$ (C) $-\mathrm{cosec}\,\theta$ (D) $\sin\theta$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Differentiate $x$ and $y$ separately with respect to the parameter $\theta$, then take the ratio. Answer: $-\sec\theta$.

    Concept and Intuition

    For a parametric curve $x=x(\theta),\ y=y(\theta)$, the derivative is found via the chain rule as $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{dy/d\theta}{dx/d\theta}$, avoiding the need to eliminate $\theta$ and differentiate implicitly.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. $x=2\cos^3\theta$. Differentiate: $\dfrac{dx}{d\theta}=2\cdot3\cos^2\theta\cdot(-\sin\theta)=-6\cos^2\theta\sin\theta$.
    2. $y=3\sin^2\theta$. Differentiate: $\dfrac{dy}{d\theta}=3\cdot2\sin\theta\cos\theta=6\sin\theta\cos\theta$.
    3. $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{dy/d\theta}{dx/d\theta}=\dfrac{6\sin\theta\cos\theta}{-6\cos^2\theta\sin\theta}$. …

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