Q.Differentiate w.r.t. x: cos−1(2sinx+cosx), −4π<x<4π.
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Domain of a Composite Function
Picture a building with two doors: the first opens with a blue pass, the second with a red pass. Walking through f(g(x)) means passing the inner door g first, then the outer door f. The domain of the composite is simply: which inputs make it through both doors?
The intuition
Take f(x)=x and g(x)=x−5, so f(g(x))=x−5.
- The inner g(x)=x−5 accepts every real number.
- The outer f accepts only non-negative inputs.
So the real question is: which x make g(x) land inside the domain of f? The domain of the composite is not just the domain of g, nor just the domain of f — it is the overlap seen through g.
The precise statement
Domain(f∘g)={x∈Domain(g)∣g(x)∈Domain(f)}.
Two steps, in order:
- Keep only the x that g can handle.
- Among those, keep only the x for which g(x) is something f can handle.
A frequent mistake is to restrict x using the domain of f directly. The restriction comes from g(x) lying in Domain(f), not from x itself.
A worked check
For f(x)=x, g(x)=x−11:
- Domain of g: x=1.
- Outer condition: g(x)≥0⇒x−11≥0⇒x−1>0⇒x>1.
So Domain(f∘g)=(1,∞) — the condition from f already excludes x=1.
Order matters …
Concept: Domain Of Composite Function — the given interval ensures the inner expression lies in [−1,1], so the inverse cosine is defined.
Step 1: Simplify the inner function.
2sinx+cosx=sinx⋅21+cosx⋅21=sin(x+4π)
Step 2: For −4π<x<4π, we have 0<x+4π<2π, so sin(x+π/4) is positive and in (0,1). Hence the function becomes
y=cos−1(sin(x+4π)) …
The key idea is to simplify the argument inside cos−1 using the sine addition formula, then differentiate the resulting linear function. The derivative is −1.
We are asked to differentiate cos−1(2sinx+cosx) with respect to x, for −4π<x<4π.
The expression inside the inverse cosine looks like it could be a single trigonometric function. Recall the identity: sinAcosB+cosAsinB=sin(A+B). If we factor 21, we can write 2sinx+2cosx. Notice that 21=sin4π=cos4π. So:
2sinx+cosx=sinx⋅21+cosx⋅21=sinxcos4π+cosxsin4π
This is exactly sin(x+4π).
A quick way to spot this: any expression of the form asinx+bcosx can be written as Rsin(x+ϕ) or Rcos(x−ϕ). Here a=b=1, so R=12+12=2, and the angle shift is 4π.
So the function becomes:
y=cos−1(sin(x+4π))
Now we need to differentiate this. But cos−1 and sin are related: cos−1(sinθ)=2π−θ, provided θ lies in the range where this holds. Let's check the domain. …
Method: Auxiliary-Angle Identity to Collapse asinx+bcosx Before Differentiating
Whenever the argument of an inverse trig function is a combination like asinx+bcosx (or that combination divided by a constant), rewrite it as a single sine or cosine first — direct quotient-rule/chain-rule differentiation of the raw expression is far messier and more error-prone.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the asinx+bcosx pattern
Here the argument is 2sinx+cosx, i.e. a=b=1 divided by 2=a2+b2.
Step 2: Rewrite as a single sine using the addition formula
Since 21=sin4π=cos4π,
2sinx+cosx=sinxcos4π+cosxsin4π=sin(x+4π)
Step 3: Use the complementary-angle identity, checking the range carefully
cos−1(sinθ)=2π−θvalid for θ∈[−2π,2π] …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Applying cos−1(sinθ)=2π−θ without checking the range of θ
Why it's wrong: this identity only holds when θ∈[−π/2,π/2]; outside that range the correct simplification involves an extra π shift, and blindly applying the formula gives a wrong function before you even differentiate. Correct approach: always verify the given domain maps θ=x+π/4 into the valid interval before using the identity.
Mistake 2: Trying to differentiate the original expression directly with the chain and quotient rules …
Showing the 12 most recent of 17 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫cos4x−sin4xsinxcosxdx=−2f(x)+c, then domain of f(x) is (A) [2nπ,(2n+1)π], n=0,1,2... (B) [(4n−1)2π,(4n+1)2π], n=0,1,2,... (C) [(4n−1)4π,(4n+1)4π], n=0,1,2,... (D) [2n4π,(2n+1)4π], n=0,1,2,...
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewriting cos4x−sin4x as cos2x turns the integral into a simple u=cos2x substitution; the resulting f(x)=cos2x is only real where cos2x≥0.
Concept and Intuition
The expression under the root, cos4x−sin4x, is a difference of squares: (cos2x−sin2x)(cos2x+sin2x). Since cos2x+sin2x=1, this is simply cos2x. Likewise sinxcosx=21sin2x is the double-angle identity. Recognizing both identities turns a scary-looking radical integral into a one-step substitution problem — always hunt for double-angle simplification when you see sinxcosx and even powers of sine/cosine together.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify: cos4x−sin4x=cos2x, and sinxcosx=21sin2x.
- The integral becomes ∫cos2x21sin2xdx=21∫cos2xsin2xdx.
- Let u=cos2x, so du=−2sin2xdx⇒sin2xdx=−21du.
- The integral becomes 21∫u−21du=−41∫u−1/2du=−41⋅2u1/2=−21cos2x+c.
- Matching this to the given form −2f(x)+c gives f(x)=cos2x. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.The domain of f(x)=Cos−1[log2(x2+5x+8)] is (A) [−4,−3] (B) [−3,−2] (C) [−2,−1] (D) [−1,2]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain requires the log expression to lie in [−1,1]; one side is automatically satisfied and the other reduces to a simple quadratic inequality, giving [−3,−2].
Concept and Intuition
cos−1(t) is only defined for t∈[−1,1]. So finding the domain of cos−1[log2(⋯)] is really a two-sided inequality problem on the inner expression, which then converts (via the monotonic exponential 2t) into a bound on the underlying quadratic.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Require −1≤log2(x2+5x+8)≤1.
- Convert using 2(⋅) (monotonic increasing, preserves inequality direction): 2−1≤x2+5x+8≤21, i.e. 0.5≤x2+5x+8≤2.
- Lower bound: x2+5x+8≥0.5⇔x2+5x+7.5≥0. Discriminant =25−30=−5<0 and leading coefficient positive, so this quadratic is always positive — the lower bound holds for all real x, imposing no restriction.
- Upper bound: x2+5x+8≤2⇔x2+5x+6≤0⇔(x+2)(x+3)≤0. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=cos−1(42−∣x∣)+[log(3−x)]−1 is (A) (−6,2)∪(2,3) (B) [−6,2)∪(2,3) (C) (−∞,2)∪(2,3) (D) [−6,2)∪(2,3]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain is the intersection of the domains of the inverse cosine term and the logarithmic term, excluding points where the log denominator is zero. The final domain is [−6,2)∪(2,3), which corresponds to option (B).
We need the set of all real x for which f(x) is defined. The function has two parts:
- cos−1(42−∣x∣)
- [log(3−x)]−1, i.e., log(3−x)1
Each imposes conditions. Let’s find them step by step.
- Domain of cos−1(u) The inverse cosine is defined only when its argument u satisfies −1≤u≤1. Here u=42−∣x∣, so we require:
−1≤42−∣x∣≤1
Multiply by 4 (positive, so inequality direction unchanged):
−4≤2−∣x∣≤4
Subtract 2 from all parts:
−6≤−∣x∣≤2
Multiply by −1 (reverses inequalities):
6≥∣x∣≥−2
The right inequality ∣x∣≥−2 is always true (absolute value is nonnegative).
The left inequality ∣x∣≤6 gives:
−6≤x≤6
So the inverse cosine part is defined for x∈[−6,6].
- Domain of log(3−x) The logarithm (presumably base 10 or natural — domain is the same) requires its argument positive:
3−x>0⇒x<3
So log(3−x) is defined for x∈(−∞,3).
- Denominator condition: [log(3−x)]−1 The reciprocal log(3−x)1 is undefined when the denominator is zero:
log(3−x)=0⇒3−x=1⇒x=2
So we must exclude x=2 from the domain. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the function f(x)=loge(x2−4x+41)+Sin−1(x2−2) is (A) [1,3] (B) [1,3) (C) [1,3] (D) [1,3)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain is the intersection of the constraints from the log-square-root term (giving x∈[1,3]) and the arcsine term (giving x∈[−3,−1]∪[1,3]), which works out to the closed interval [1,3].
Concept and Intuition
Whenever a function is a sum of two pieces, its domain is the intersection of each piece's individual domain — both must be simultaneously defined. Here one piece needs a square root's argument to be non-negative (which itself requires a logarithm to be non-negative, i.e. its argument ≥1), and the other piece needs an arcsine's argument to lie in [−1,1].
Step-by-Step Solution
- First term: loge(x2−4x+41). Note x2−4x+4=(x−2)2≥0, equal to 0 only at x=2 (so x=2 is required just for the fraction to exist). For the square root to be real, we need loge((x−2)21)≥0, i.e. (x−2)21≥1 (since logeu≥0⇔u≥1 for u>0). This gives (x−2)2≤1, i.e. −1≤x−2≤1, i.e. x∈[1,3] (and this automatically excludes the problem point x=2 from being undefined, since (x−2)2≤1 still permits x=2 where the fraction blows up — but that single point is excluded separately since the fraction itself is undefined there; it doesn't affect the final interval once intersected with the next constraint since 2∈/[1,3] anyway).
- Second term: Sin−1(x2−2) requires −1≤x2−2≤1, i.e. 1≤x2≤3. Since x2≥1⇔x≤−1 or x≥1, and x2≤3⇔−3≤x≤3, combining gives x∈[−3,−1]∪[1,3]. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-AN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x) = x2+3x+2log2(x+3) is (A) (−3,∞) (B) (−3,−1)∪(−1,∞) (C) (−3,−2)∪(−2,−1)∪(−1,∞) (D) (−3,−2)∪(−1,∞)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Combine the log's domain condition with the square-root-in-denominator condition to get (−3,−2)∪(−1,∞).
Concept and Intuition
For a quotient with a log in the numerator and a square root in the denominator, every piece imposes its own domain restriction, and the final domain is the intersection of all of them: the log argument must be strictly positive, and the expression under the root must be strictly positive (not just non-negative, since it also sits in the denominator and can't be zero).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Log condition: x+3>0⇒x>−3.
- Denominator condition: x2+3x+2>0. Factor: (x+1)(x+2)>0, true when x<−2 or x>−1.
- Intersect x>−3 with (x<−2 or x>−1):
- x>−3 and x<−2 gives (−3,−2).
- x>−3 and x>−1 gives (−1,∞). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=log0.5(2x−3)1+4−9x2 is (A) [32,23) (B) Null Set (C) [32,2) (D) [−32,32]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The two terms of f(x) impose disjoint requirements on x (23<x<2 vs −32≤x≤32), so no x satisfies both — the domain is empty, option (B).
Concept and Intuition
For a sum of two functions to be defined, both pieces must individually be defined at x — the domain of the sum is the intersection of the individual domains. Here:
- log0.5(2x−3)1 requires the expression under the square root, log0.5(2x−3), to be strictly positive (it can't be zero, since it's in a denominator, and can't be negative, since it's under a real square root).
- 4−9x2 requires 4−9x2≥0.
For a log with base b<1 (here b=0.5), logb(t) is a decreasing function of t, and logb(1)=0. So logb(t)>0⟺t<1 (combined with the log's own domain requirement t>0), giving 0<t<1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Log argument domain + positivity: need log0.5(2x−3)>0. Since base <1: this holds iff 0<2x−3<1. 0<2x−3⇒x>23; and 2x−3<1⇒x<2. So first term needs x∈(23,2).
- Square-root domain: need 4−9x2≥0⇒9x2≤4⇒x2≤94⇒x∈[−32,32]. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=x−1log0.5(x−3) is (A) (3,4] (B) [4,∞) (C) (1,∞) (D) (1,3)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Combining the log's domain, the non-negativity needed under the numerator's square root (using base <1 log behaviour), and the denominator's need to be strictly positive gives the domain (3,4].
Concept and Intuition
For f(x)=x−1log0.5(x−3) to be real and defined: (i) the argument of the log must be positive: x−3>0; (ii) since it sits under a square root, log0.5(x−3)≥0; (iii) the denominator's radicand must be strictly positive (can't divide by zero): x−1>0. Because the log base 0.5 is less than 1, log0.5 is a decreasing function, so log0.5(t)≥0 happens for 0<t≤1 (opposite of the base >1 case).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Log domain: x−3>0⇒x>3.
- Non-negativity under the square root: log0.5(x−3)≥0. Since base 0.5<1: this holds iff 0<x−3≤1, i.e. 3<x≤4. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.Domain of the real valued function f(x)=log(x2−1)+xCoth−1x is (A) R (B) (−1,1) (C) R−[−1,1] (D) R−[0,1]
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both pieces of f demand ∣x∣>1, so the domain is all reals except the closed interval [−1,1].
Concept and Intuition
A sum/product function's domain is the intersection of the domains of its pieces. Here we have a logarithm term and an inverse hyperbolic cotangent term multiplying x; both must individually be defined.
Step-by-Step Solution
- log(x2−1) requires its argument to be strictly positive: x2−1>0⇒x2>1⇒x>1 or x<−1.
- Coth−1(x), the inverse of coth, has range restricted since coth(y) for real y=0 takes all values with ∣coth(y)∣>1. So Coth−1(x) is only real-valued for ∣x∣>1, i.e. x>1 or x<−1.
- Multiplying by x (which is defined for all real x) doesn't add any further restriction.
- Intersecting both conditions: x>1 or x<−1 in both cases — the domains coincide exactly. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=4−x23+log10(x3−x) is (A) (1,2)∪(2,∞) (B) (−1,0)∪(1,2) (C) (−1,0)∪(1,2)∪(2,∞) (D) (−∞,−1)∪(1,2)∪(2,∞)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain needs x=±2 (denominator non-zero) and x3−x>0 (log argument positive); combining gives (−1,0)∪(1,2)∪(2,∞).
Concept and Intuition
For f(x)=4−x23+log10(x3−x) to be real-valued, every term must individually be defined: the rational term needs a non-zero denominator, and the logarithm needs a strictly positive argument. The domain of f is the intersection of the domains required by each term.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Denominator condition: 4−x2=0⇒x2=4⇒x=2 and x=−2.
- Logarithm condition: need x3−x>0, i.e. x(x−1)(x+1)>0. The roots are x=−1,0,1, dividing the real line into four intervals; testing a point in each:
- x<−1 (e.g. x=−2): (−2)(−3)(−1)=−6<0.
- −1<x<0 (e.g. x=−0.5): (−0.5)(−1.5)(0.5)=0.375>0.
- 0<x<1 (e.g. x=0.5): (0.5)(−0.5)(1.5)=−0.375<0.
- x>1 (e.g. x=2): (2)(1)(3)=6>0. So x3−x>0 exactly on (−1,0)∪(1,∞). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the function y=f(x), where x and y are related by 2x+2y=2 is (A) (−∞,∞) (B) (−∞,1) (C) (0,∞) (D) (1,∞)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since 2y must be strictly positive, 2−2x>0 forces x<1, giving domain (−∞,1).
Concept and Intuition
An exponential 2y is always positive for real y, and conversely, for any positive real number there is a real y with 2y equal to it. So the equation 2y=2−2x has a real solution y exactly when the right side is positive.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rearranged: 2y=2−2x.
- For y∈R to exist, need 2−2x>0. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=logx−1(3x+1) is (A) (1,∞) (B) R (C) (1,2)∪(2,∞) (D) R−{2}
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain of a logarithmic function requires the base to be positive and not equal to 1, and the argument to be positive. For f(x)=logx−1(3x+1), this gives x>1, x=2, and x>−31, so the domain is (1,2)∪(2,∞), which is option (C).
Concept and Intuition
When we see a logarithm like logbase(argument), we must remember two fundamental restrictions:
-
The base must be positive and not equal to 1.
Why? A logarithm is the inverse of an exponential function. If the base were 0 or negative, the exponential would behave badly (e.g., not be defined for all real exponents). If the base were 1, the exponential is constant, so its inverse wouldn't be a function.
-
The argument (the number inside the log) must be positive.
Why? Because you can only take the log of a positive number in real-valued functions — logs of zero or negative numbers are not real.
So for f(x)=logx−1(3x+1), we need to enforce both conditions simultaneously.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Base condition: x−1>0 The base of the logarithm is x−1. It must be positive:
x−1>0⇒x>1.
- Base cannot be 1: x−1=1 The base also cannot equal 1, because log1(⋅) is undefined.
x−1=1⇒x=2.
- Argument condition: 3x+1>0 The expression inside the log must be positive:
3x+1>0⇒x>−31.
- Combine all conditions
- From step 1: x>1
- From step 2: x=2 …
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- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.A⊆R and f:A→R is a function defined by f(x)=x+1x−1. If the domain of the function f(2x) is B, then A∩B= (A) R−{−1,−2} (B) R−{−1,−21} (C) R−{−1,31} (D) R−{−1,1}
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain of f excludes x=−1; the domain of f(2x) excludes x=−21; their intersection excludes both, so A∩B=R−{−1,−21}, which is option (B).
We need to find A, the natural domain of f(x)=x+1x−1, then B, the natural domain of f(2x), and finally their intersection.
Why this approach works:
The domain of a composite function like f(2x) is found by first requiring that the “inside” expression 2x belongs to the domain of f, and then also requiring that the “inside” expression itself is defined (it always is, since 2x is defined for all real x). So we simply take the domain of f and replace x by 2x, solving for the restriction.
- Find A — the domain of f(x). f(x)=x+1x−1 is a rational function. The only restriction is that the denominator cannot be zero:
x+1=0⇒x=−1.
Hence
A=R−{−1}.
- Find B — the domain of f(2x). The function f(2x) means we substitute 2x into f:
f(2x)=2x+12x−1.
Again, the denominator cannot be zero:
2x+1=0⇒x=−21.
So
B=R−{−21}.
- Find A∩B. …
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