Q.Differentiate w.r.t. $x$: $\sin^n(ax^2 + bx + c)$.

Showing the 12 most recent of 23 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $x = \sec\theta - \cos\theta$ and $y = \sec^n\theta - \cos^n\theta$, then $(x^2 + 4)\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 =$ ______ (A) $n(y+4)$ (B) $n^2(y^2+4)$ (C) $n(y+2)$ (D) $n^2(y^2+2)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This tests parametric differentiation combined with a clever algebraic identity that avoids messy trig simplification. The answer is $n^2(y^2+4)$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Both $x$ and $y$ are given as functions of the same parameter $\theta$, so we should find $dx/d\theta$ and $dy/d\theta$ separately and divide. The trick that makes this tractable is spotting that $\sec\theta\cos\theta=1$, which makes expressions like $(\sec\theta-\cos\theta)^2+4$ collapse into a perfect square $(\sec\theta+\cos\theta)^2$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $x=\sec\theta-\cos\theta$, so $x^2+4=\sec^2\theta-2+\cos^2\theta+4=\sec^2\theta+\cos^2\theta+2=(\sec\theta+\cos\theta)^2$ (using $\sec\theta\cos\theta=1$).
   2. Similarly, since $\sec^n\theta\cdot\cos^n\theta=1$, we get $y^2+4=(\sec^n\theta+\cos^n\theta)^2$.
   3. Differentiate $x$: $\dfrac{dx}{d\theta}=\sec\theta\tan\theta+\sin\theta=\tan\theta\left(\dfrac{1}{\cos\theta}\cdot\cos\theta+\dfrac{\sin\theta}{\tan\theta}\right)$; simplifying carefully gives $\dfrac{dx}{d\theta}=\tan\theta(\sec\theta+\cos\theta)$.
   4. Differentiate $y$: $\dfrac{dy}{d\theta}=n\sec^{n-1}\theta\sec\theta\tan\theta+n\cos^{n-1}\theta\sin\theta=n\tan\theta(\sec^n\theta+\cos^n\theta)$. …

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2. 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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3. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\int f(x)dx = F(x) + C$, then $\dfrac{d}{dt}\displaystyle\int\limits_{g(t)}^{h(t)} f(x)dx =$ (A) $f(h(t)) - f(g(t))$ (B) $F(h(t)) - F(g(t))$ (C) $F(h(t))h'(t) - F(g(t))g'(t)$ (D) $f(h(t))h'(t) - f(g(t))g'(t)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This is the Leibniz differentiation rule for integrals with variable limits.

   Concept and Intuition

   $\int_{g(t)}^{h(t)}f(x)dx = F(h(t))-F(g(t))$ where $F'=f$. Differentiating with respect to $t$ needs the chain rule on both limits.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\displaystyle\int_{g(t)}^{h(t)} f(x)\,dx = F(h(t)) - F(g(t))$, where $F(x)=\int f(x)dx$.
   2. Differentiate w.r.t. $t$: $\dfrac{d}{dt}\big[F(h(t))-F(g(t))\big] = F'(h(t))h'(t) - F'(g(t))g'(t)$.
   3. Since $F'=f$: this equals $f(h(t))h'(t) - f(g(t))g'(t)$.

   Common Mistakes …

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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $f(0) = 0$, $f'(0) = 3$, then the derivative of $y = f(f(f(f(f(x)))))$ at $x = 0$ is (A) $16$ (B) $32$ (C) $81$ (D) $243$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Because $0$ is a fixed point of $f$ ($f(0)=0$), differentiating a repeated composition at $x=0$ just multiplies $f'(0)$ by itself once per composition — five times here.

   Concept and Intuition

   By the chain rule, $\dfrac{d}{dx}f(g(x))=f'(g(x))g'(x)$. For a chain of five compositions, the derivative at a point is a product of five factors of $f'$, each evaluated at the running value of the inner composition at that point. Since $f(0)=0$, the running value stays $0$ throughout, so every factor is just $f'(0)$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $y=f(f(f(f(f(x)))))$ (five nested $f$'s).
   2. By repeated chain rule: $y'(x)=f'\big(f(f(f(f(x))))\big)\cdot f'\big(f(f(f(x)))\big)\cdot f'\big(f(f(x))\big)\cdot f'\big(f(x)\big)\cdot f'(x)$.
   3. At $x=0$: since $f(0)=0$, we get $f(x)=0$, then $f(f(x))=f(0)=0$, and so on — every nested value at $x=0$ is $0$. …

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8. 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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9. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left(A\log\left(\dfrac{\sqrt{1-x^3}+B}{\sqrt{1-x^3}+1}\right)\right) = \dfrac{1}{x\sqrt{1-x^3}}$, then $AB =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{3}$ (B) $\dfrac{-1}{3}$ (C) $\dfrac{-2}{3}$ (D) $\dfrac{2}{3}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Matching the derivative of a log-quotient expression to $1/(x\sqrt{1-x^3})$ pins down $A=1/3$, $B=-1$, so $AB=-1/3$.

   Concept and Intuition

   This is a "guess the antiderivative form, then solve for constants" problem. Differentiate the given log expression symbolically in terms of $u=\sqrt{1-x^3}$, and choose $B$ so the resulting denominator simplifies nicely (ideally to a pure power of $x$), then fix $A$ by matching coefficients.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $u=\sqrt{1-x^3}$, so $u' = \dfrac{-3x^2}{2\sqrt{1-x^3}} = \dfrac{-3x^2}{2u}$.
   2. $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[A\log\left(\dfrac{u+B}{u+1}\right)\right] = A\left[\dfrac{u'}{u+B}-\dfrac{u'}{u+1}\right] = \dfrac{Au'(1-B)}{(u+B)(u+1)}$.
   3. Try $B=-1$: then $(u+B)(u+1)=(u-1)(u+1)=u^2-1 = (1-x^3)-1=-x^3$.
   4. With $B=-1$, $1-B=2$, so the expression becomes $\dfrac{2Au'}{-x^3} = \dfrac{-2A}{x^3}\cdot\dfrac{-3x^2}{2u} = \dfrac{3A}{xu}$. …

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10. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $y = \operatorname{Sech}^{-1}\left(\dfrac{9}{9x^2 + 10}\right)$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{-18x}{\sqrt{(9x^2+10)^2 + 81}}$ (B) $\dfrac{-18x}{\sqrt{(9x^2+10)^2 - 81}}$ (C) $\dfrac{18x}{\sqrt{(9x^2+19)(9x^2+1)}}$ (D) $\dfrac{18x(9x^2+10)}{\sqrt{(9x^2+19)(9x^2+1)}}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    A chain-rule differentiation of an inverse hyperbolic function, where $(9x^2+10)^2-81$ factors as a difference of squares into $(9x^2+1)(9x^2+19)$.

    Concept and Intuition

    For $y=\operatorname{sech}^{-1}u$, the standard derivative is $\dfrac{dy}{du}=\dfrac{-1}{u\sqrt{1-u^2}}$ (for $0<u<1$). The chain rule then just needs $du/dx$, and the algebra simplifies neatly because $(9x^2+10)^2-9^2$ is a difference of squares.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Let $u=\dfrac{9}{9x^2+10}$. Then $\dfrac{du}{dx}=9\cdot\dfrac{-18x}{(9x^2+10)^2}=\dfrac{-162x}{(9x^2+10)^2}$.
    2. $1-u^2=1-\dfrac{81}{(9x^2+10)^2}=\dfrac{(9x^2+10)^2-81}{(9x^2+10)^2}$.
    3. Factor as a difference of squares: $(9x^2+10)^2-9^2=(9x^2+10-9)(9x^2+10+9)=(9x^2+1)(9x^2+19)$.
    4. So $\sqrt{1-u^2}=\dfrac{\sqrt{(9x^2+1)(9x^2+19)}}{9x^2+10}$.
    5. $u\sqrt{1-u^2}=\dfrac{9}{9x^2+10}\cdot\dfrac{\sqrt{(9x^2+1)(9x^2+19)}}{9x^2+10}=\dfrac{9\sqrt{(9x^2+1)(9x^2+19)}}{(9x^2+10)^2}$. …

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11. 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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12. 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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