Q.Find dxdy in the following: sin(ax+b)
Concept understanding — Chain Rule
The Chain Rule: Why It Makes Sense
Imagine you're assembling a toy. First you put part A into part B, then you put that combined piece into part C. The final toy's position depends on how you moved A, which then affected B, which then affected C. That's exactly what the chain rule captures — how a change in the first variable ripples through a sequence of functions to affect the final output.
Let's make this concrete. Suppose you have a function f that depends on g, and g itself depends on x:
y=f(g(x))
You want to know: if x changes by a tiny amount, how much does y change? The answer isn't just f′(g(x)) — because g(x) itself changes when x changes. You have to multiply the two rates:
- How fast does g change with respect to x? That's g′(x).
- How fast does f change with respect to its input g? That's f′(g(x)).
The total effect is the product:
dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x)
In Leibniz notation, this looks even more natural: dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu, where u=g(x). The du's "cancel" like fractions — though this is just a helpful memory aid, not a rigorous proof.
The Precise Statement
Chain Rule (single variable): If g is differentiable at x and f is differentiable at g(x), then the composite function h(x)=f(g(x)) is differentiable at x, and
h′(x)=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x)
That's it. One multiplication. But the power is enormous — it lets you differentiate almost any nested function.
A Simple Example
Differentiate h(x)=sin(3x2).
Here f(u)=sinu and g(x)=3x2. Then:
- f′(u)=cosu, so f′(g(x))=cos(3x2)
- g′(x)=6x
Multiply: h′(x)=cos(3x2)⋅6x=6xcos(3x2)
The most common mistake is forgetting to multiply by the inner derivative. Students often write dxdsin(3x2)=cos(3x2) and stop — that's wrong. The chain rule demands you also multiply by 6x.
Why It's Called a "Chain"
Think of a chain of links: x→g→f. Each link has its own rate of change. To find the total rate from x to f, you multiply the rates of each link. If you had three functions — say h(x)=f(g(k(x))) — you'd multiply three derivatives:
h′(x)=f′(g(k(x)))⋅g′(k(x))⋅k′(x)
The chain can be as long as you like. Each new function adds one more factor.
The Intuition in One Sentence
The chain rule says: the rate of change of the whole is the product of the rates of change of the parts, evaluated at the right places.
The chain rule is not optional — it's the backbone of calculus. Every derivative of a trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, or power function that isn't just xn uses it. Master this, and you master differentiation.
The chain rule is one of the most heavily tested formulas in the NCERT Class 12 Continuity and Differentiability chapter, and it underlies nearly every differentiation problem in CBSE boards, JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Whether you're searching 'chain rule differentiation class 12 examples' or 'chain rule important questions for JEE', this f'(g(x))·g'(x) pattern is the formula every subsequent derivative rule in the syllabus builds on.
Concept: Chain Rule — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let y=sin(ax+b).
The outer function is sinu, whose derivative is cosu.
The inner function is u=ax+b, whose derivative is a.
Applying the chain rule:
dxdy=cos(ax+b)⋅a
The derivative is acos(ax+b).
Use the Chain Rule: differentiate the outer sine function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner linear function ax+b. The result is acos(ax+b).
The problem asks for the derivative of sin(ax+b) with respect to x. This is a classic composition of two functions: an outer sine function and an inner linear function ax+b. The Chain Rule is the natural tool here — it tells us to differentiate the outer function first, leaving the inner untouched, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
-
Identify the composition.
We have y=sin(u) where u=ax+b.
The outer function is sin(u), and the inner function is u=ax+b.
-
Differentiate the outer function with respect to its argument.
The derivative of sin(u) with respect to u is cos(u).
So, dudy=cos(u).
-
Differentiate the inner function with respect to x.
The derivative of ax+b with respect to x is simply a (since b is constant).
So, dxdu=a.
-
Apply the Chain Rule.
The Chain Rule states:
dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu
Substituting what we have:
dxdy=cos(u)⋅a=acos(ax+b)
A quick mental shortcut: for any function of the form sin(kx+c), the derivative is kcos(kx+c). The constant c vanishes because its derivative is zero. This pattern extends to cos, tan, etc.
A common mistake is to forget the factor a and write just cos(ax+b). Always check: the derivative of the inner linear term must multiply the outer derivative. If the inner function were something like x2, the factor would be 2x, not just 1.
The derivative is acos(ax+b).
Method: Differentiating a Trig Function of a Linear Expression
This is the simplest chain-rule case, and it produces a reusable pattern worth memorising: the derivative of sin(kx+c) (or cos, tan, etc.) is always the outer derivative times the constant k.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the inner linear expression
Write the argument of the trig function as u=(coefficient)⋅x+(constant).
Step 2: Differentiate the outer trig function with respect to u
Apply the standard rule (e.g. dudsinu=cosu), keeping the result in terms of u.
Step 3: Differentiate the inner linear expression with respect to x
The derivative of (coefficient)⋅x+(constant) is simply the coefficient — the additive constant contributes nothing, since its derivative is zero.
Step 4: Multiply and substitute back
dxdy=(outer derivative in terms of u)×(coefficient),then replace u with the original linear expression.
Step 5: Recognise the reusable pattern
For any sin(kx+c), the derivative is always kcos(kx+c) — the same pattern extends directly to cos(kx+c)→−ksin(kx+c) and other trig functions, so this shortcut is worth remembering rather than re-deriving each time.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to multiply by the coefficient a
Why it's wrong: writing dxdy=cos(ax+b) without the leading factor of a ignores the inner derivative of the linear expression ax+b, which is a (not 1). Correct approach: always compute the inner derivative separately — even when it looks like a trivial linear expression, its derivative (the coefficient) must still be multiplied into the final answer.
Mistake 2: Treating the constant b as if it contributes to the derivative
Why it's wrong: some students mistakenly think a nonzero constant b should appear somewhere in the final derivative — but the derivative of any additive constant is always zero, so b only affects the argument of the cosine, never the multiplying factor out front. Correct approach: remember that only the coefficient of x (here, a) survives differentiation of a linear inner function; any purely additive constant disappears completely.
Showing the 12 most recent of 23 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=coshx+coshx, then dxdy= (A) 4y(y2+coshx)sinhx(2y2+2coshx+1) (B) 4y(y2−coshx)sinhx(2y2−2coshx−1) (C) 4ycoshxsinhx(1−2coshx) (D) 4ycoshxsinhx(1+2coshx)
›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 coshx, matching option (D).
Concept and Intuition
When y is defined as a nested square root, it's usually easier to square first
(y2= the inside) and differentiate implicitly rather than applying the chain
rule twice directly to the nested radical — this avoids stacking two
2⋅1 factors and keeps the algebra manageable.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=coshx+coshx ⇒ y2=coshx+coshx.
- Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x: 2ydxdy=sinhx+2coshx1⋅sinhx=sinhx(1+2coshx1).
- Combine the bracket over a common denominator: 1+2coshx1=2coshx2coshx+1.
- So 2yy′=2coshxsinhx(2coshx+1).
- Solve for y′: y′=4ycoshxsinhx(1+2coshx).
Common Mistakes
- Differentiating the nested radical directly without squaring first, which tangles two chain-rule layers and often drops a factor of 2.
- Forgetting to carry the 2y from the implicit differentiation (i.e., leaving the answer in terms of y2 instead of solving for y′ explicitly).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 4ycoshxsinhx(1+2coshx).
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=2cos3θ and y=3sin2θ, then dxdy= (A) −secθ (B) cosθ (C) −cosecθ (D) sinθ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate x and y separately with respect to the parameter θ, then take the ratio. Answer: −secθ.
Concept and Intuition
For a parametric curve x=x(θ), y=y(θ), the derivative is found via the chain rule as dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ, avoiding the need to eliminate θ and differentiate implicitly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- x=2cos3θ. Differentiate: dθdx=2⋅3cos2θ⋅(−sinθ)=−6cos2θsinθ.
- y=3sin2θ. Differentiate: dθdy=3⋅2sinθcosθ=6sinθcosθ.
- dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ=−6cos2θsinθ6sinθcosθ.
- Cancel the common factor 6sinθcosθ (assuming sinθ,cosθ=0): =−cosθ1=−secθ.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the chain-rule factor when differentiating cos3θ or sin2θ (missing the "3" or "2" power-rule multiplier).
- Sign error when cancelling sinθcosθ from numerator and denominator, dropping the leading minus sign.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — −secθ.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=sin(sinx) and y′′+f(x)⋅y′+g(x)⋅y=0, then f(x)⋅g(x)= ______ (A) 21sin(2x) (B) 21cos(2x) (C) sin(2x) (D) cos(2x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests forming the second-order ODE satisfied by y=sin(sinx) by eliminating trig functions in favor of y and y′. The answer is f(x)g(x)=21sin2x.
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(sinx)), so that we can read off f(x) and g(x) by matching coefficients.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=sin(sinx)⇒y′=cosxcos(sinx).
- y′′=−sinxcos(sinx)+cosx⋅(−sin(sinx))cosx=−sinxcos(sinx)−cos2xsin(sinx).
- From step 1, cos(sinx)=cosxy′, so −sinxcos(sinx)=−sinx⋅cosxy′=−tanxy′.
- Also sin(sinx)=y, so the second term is −cos2xy.
- Hence y′′=−tanxy′−cos2xy, i.e. y′′+tanxy′+cos2xy=0.
- Matching to y′′+f(x)y′+g(x)y=0: f(x)=tanx, g(x)=cos2x.
- f(x)g(x)=tanxcos2x=sinxcosx=21sin(2x).
Common Mistakes
- Leaving the answer in terms of sin(sinx) and cos(sinx) instead of eliminating them in favor of y,y′.
- Sign slip when differentiating −cos(sinx)⋅sinx the second time.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 21sin(2x).
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=sin(2tan−1(1+x1−x)), x=cos2θ, then dxdy= (A) 1−x2x (B) −cot2θ (C) tan2θ (D) 21−x2−x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=cos2θ collapses the arctan expression to θ itself, turning this into a simple parametric-derivative problem.
Concept and Intuition
1+cos2θ1−cos2θ=2cos2θ2sin2θ=∣tanθ∣, and 2tan−1(tanθ)=2θ (for θ in the principal range), so y=sin2θ directly — the whole problem becomes parametric differentiation with parameter θ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1+cos2θ1−cos2θ=2cos2θ2sin2θ=tan2θ⇒⋯=tanθ.
- tan−1(tanθ)=θ⇒y=sin(2θ).
- Parametrically, x=cos2θ, y=sin2θ: dθdx=−2sin2θ, dθdy=2cos2θ.
- dxdy=−2sin2θ2cos2θ=−cot2θ.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the ∣⋅∣/domain subtlety in tan2θ=∣tanθ∣ (fine within the principal branch used here).
- Differentiating y directly w.r.t. x via chain rule without simplifying first — it's algebraically messier and error-prone.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — −cot2θ.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.If dxd(Alog(1−x3+11−x3+B))=x1−x31, then AB= (A) 31 (B) 3−1 (C) 3−2 (D) 32
›Reveal solutionSolution
Matching the derivative of a log-quotient expression to 1/(x1−x3) 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=1−x3, 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
- Let u=1−x3, so u′=21−x3−3x2=2u−3x2.
- dxd[Alog(u+1u+B)]=A[u+Bu′−u+1u′]=(u+B)(u+1)Au′(1−B).
- Try B=−1: then (u+B)(u+1)=(u−1)(u+1)=u2−1=(1−x3)−1=−x3.
- With B=−1, 1−B=2, so the expression becomes −x32Au′=x3−2A⋅2u−3x2=xu3A.
- This must equal x1−x31=xu1, so 3A=1⇒A=31.
- Hence AB=31×(−1)=−31.
Common Mistakes
- Trying random values of B without checking which one makes (u+B)(u+1) collapse to a pure power of x — B=−1 is the key insight (difference of squares).
- Sign slip in u′ (the exponent's chain rule brings in a negative sign from −x3's derivative).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 3−1.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=3[sint−log(cot2t)] and y=6[cost+log(tan2t)] then dxdy= (A) 1+sintcost2sin2t (B) 1+sin2t2cos2t (C) 1+sintcost2cos2t (D) 1+sin2t1+cos2t
›Reveal solutionSolution
A parametric-differentiation problem built around the classic identity dtdlogtan(t/2)=csct; the final simplified slope is 1+sintcost2cos2t.
Concept and Intuition
When x and y are given as functions of a parameter t, dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt. The log-tangent-half-angle term is a recurring building block whose derivative simplifies neatly to csct, which is worth memorizing to avoid a messy chain-rule expansion each time.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Recall dtdlogtan(t/2)=2tan(t/2)sec2(t/2)=2sin(t/2)cos(t/2)1=sint1=csct. Hence dtdlogcot(t/2)=−csct.
- x=3[sint−logcot(t/2)]⇒dtdx=3[cost−(−csct)]=3(cost+csct).
- y=6[cost+logtan(t/2)]⇒dtdy=6[−sint+csct].
- dxdy=3(cost+csct)6(csct−sint)=cost+csct2(csct−sint).
- Simplify: csct−sint=sint1−sin2t=sintcos2t; and cost+csct=sintsintcost+1.
- So dxdy=(1+sintcost)/sint2cos2t/sint=1+sintcost2cos2t.
Common Mistakes
- Misremembering the sign in dtdlogcot(t/2) (it is −csct, not +csct).
- Not cancelling the common sint factor from numerator and denominator, leaving an unsimplified answer that doesn't match any option.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 1+sintcost2cos2t.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.Find the value of 'k' if dxd⎩⎨⎧2+2+2+2cos(4x)2⎭⎬⎫=ksec(2x)tan(2x) (A) 21 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 81
›Reveal solutionSolution
Repeatedly apply the half-angle identity 2+2cosϕ=4cos2(ϕ/2) to peel away the nested square roots, collapsing the whole expression to a simple sec(x/2).
Concept and Intuition
The identity 1+cosϕ=2cos2(ϕ/2) (i.e. 2+2cosϕ=4cos2(ϕ/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
- Innermost: 2+2cos4x=4cos2(2x) (using 2+2cosϕ=4cos2(ϕ/2) with ϕ=4x). So 2+2cos4x=2cos2x (taking cos2x>0).
- Next level: 2+2+2cos4x=2+2cos2x=4cos2x. So 2+2+2cos4x=2cosx.
- Next level: 2+2+2+2cos4x=2+2cosx=4cos2(x/2). So 2+2+2+2cos4x=2cos(x/2).
- So the whole expression is 2cos(x/2)2=sec(x/2).
- Differentiate: dxdsec(x/2)=sec(x/2)tan(x/2)⋅21.
- Comparing to ksec(x/2)tan(x/2): k=21.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the chain rule factor of 21 from differentiating sec(x/2) (the "x/2" inside contributes an extra 21).
- Sign errors taking square roots (assuming the wrong sign of cos at some stage), though this doesn't affect the magnitude of k for the expected range.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 21.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=tanh−11+x1−x, then dxdy= (A) −21−x21 (B) −2x1−x21 (C) 1+x22 (D) 2x1+x21
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating tanh−1u via the chain rule and simplifying u(1+x)=1−x2 gives dy/dx=−2x1−x21.
Concept and Intuition
tanh−1z=21log1−z1+z has derivative 1−z21, exactly like a standard log-based inverse function. Here z=u(x) is itself a composite square-root expression, so the chain rule applies twice; the algebra simplifies nicely because u2 is a simple rational function of x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=1+x1−x, so y=tanh−1u and dudy=1−u21.
- u2=1+x1−x⇒1−u2=1−1+x1−x=1+x(1+x)−(1−x)=1+x2x.
- Differentiate u2=1+x1−x w.r.t. x: 2udxdu=(1+x)2−(1+x)−(1−x)=(1+x)2−2⇒dxdu=u(1+x)2−1.
- By the chain rule: dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu=2x1+x⋅(u(1+x)2−1)=2xu(1+x)−1.
- Simplify u(1+x): u(1+x)=1+x1−x⋅(1+x)=(1−x)(1+x)=1−x2.
- So dxdy=2x1−x2−1.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the extra factor of x that survives from 1−u21=2x1+x, leading to option (A)'s answer (missing the x in the denominator).
- Sign errors differentiating 1+x1−x via the quotient rule.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — −2x1−x21.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=Sec−1(2x1+x2) and x>1, then dxdy= (A) 1+x21 (B) 1+x22 (C) −1+x21 (D) −1+x22
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating the inverse secant of a rational expression using the chain rule and careful algebraic simplification gives dxdy=1+x22.
Concept and Intuition
For y=Sec−1(u), the derivative formula is dxdy=∣u∣u2−11⋅dxdu. Here u=2x1+x2 is positive for x>1, so we can drop the absolute value and just carefully simplify the algebra — the key insight is recognizing that u2−1 factors as a perfect square-like expression involving (x2−1)2, which simplifies the square root beautifully.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=2x1+x2. Compute dxdu using the quotient rule: u′=(2x)22x(2x)−(1+x2)(2)=4x24x2−2−2x2=4x22x2−2=2x2x2−1.
- Compute u2−1: u2−1=4x2(1+x2)2−4x2=4x2(1+x2−2x)(1+x2+2x)=4x2(x−1)2(x+1)2.
- So u2−1=2∣x∣∣x−1∣∣x+1∣=2∣x∣∣x2−1∣. For x>1: x2−1>0 and x>0, so u2−1=2xx2−1.
- For x>1, u=2x1+x2>0, so ∣u∣=u=2x1+x2.
- uu2−1=2x1+x2⋅2xx2−1=4x2(1+x2)(x2−1).
- dxdy=uu2−1u′=(1+x2)(x2−1)/(4x2)(x2−1)/(2x2)=2x2x2−1×(1+x2)(x2−1)4x2=2(1+x2)4=1+x22.
Common Mistakes
- Dropping the absolute value carelessly without checking the sign of x in the given domain x>1.
- Forgetting to simplify u2−1 using the difference-of-squares-of-squares factoring trick, leading to a messy, harder-to-simplify square root.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 1+x22.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=Tan−1x2−1+Sinh−1x2−1, x>1, then dxdy= (A) xx2−11 (B) xx2−1x+1 (C) x2x2−1x+1 (D) x2−1x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both inverse-function derivatives share the same inner derivative
u′=x/x2−1; the 1+u2 under Tan−1 and 1+u2 under
Sinh−1 both simplify beautifully because u2=x2−1, so 1+u2=x2.
Concept and Intuition
Both Tan−1 and Sinh−1 have derivative formulas built around
1+u2 (as 1+u21 and 1+u21 respectively). Here
u=x2−1 makes 1+u2=x2 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
- Let u=x2−1. Then u′=x2−1x and 1+u2=1+(x2−1)=x2.
- dxdTan−1u=1+u2u′=x2x/x2−1=xx2−11.
- dxdSinh−1u=1+u2u′=x2x/x2−1=xx/x2−1=x2−11 (since x>1 means x2=x, not ∣x∣ ambiguity).
- Add: dxdy=xx2−11+x2−11=xx2−11+x.
Common Mistakes
- Using x2=∣x∣ and leaving an unnecessary absolute value, when the domain x>1 already fixes the sign.
- Misremembering the derivative of Sinh−1u as 1+u21 (that's Tan−1's formula) instead of 1+u21.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — xx2−1x+1.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=Sech−1(9x2+109), then dxdy= (A) (9x2+10)2+81−18x (B) (9x2+10)2−81−18x (C) (9x2+19)(9x2+1)18x (D) (9x2+19)(9x2+1)18x(9x2+10)
›Reveal solutionSolution
A chain-rule differentiation of an inverse hyperbolic function, where (9x2+10)2−81 factors as a difference of squares into (9x2+1)(9x2+19).
Concept and Intuition
For y=sech−1u, the standard derivative is dudy=u1−u2−1 (for 0<u<1). The chain rule then just needs du/dx, and the algebra simplifies neatly because (9x2+10)2−92 is a difference of squares.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=9x2+109. Then dxdu=9⋅(9x2+10)2−18x=(9x2+10)2−162x.
- 1−u2=1−(9x2+10)281=(9x2+10)2(9x2+10)2−81.
- Factor as a difference of squares: (9x2+10)2−92=(9x2+10−9)(9x2+10+9)=(9x2+1)(9x2+19).
- So 1−u2=9x2+10(9x2+1)(9x2+19).
- u1−u2=9x2+109⋅9x2+10(9x2+1)(9x2+19)=(9x2+10)29(9x2+1)(9x2+19).
- dxdy=u1−u2−1⋅dxdu=9(9x2+1)(9x2+19)−(9x2+10)2⋅(9x2+10)2−162x=9(9x2+1)(9x2+19)162x=(9x2+1)(9x2+19)18x.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the sign cancellation between the −1 in the sech−1 derivative formula and the negative du/dx, which would flip the final sign.
- Not recognizing (9x2+10)2−81 as a factorable difference of squares and instead leaving it unsimplified (masking the match with the given options).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — (9x2+19)(9x2+1)18x.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=2cosec−1t and y=2sec−1t, ∣t∣≥1 then dxdy= (A) yx (B) xy (C) −xy (D) −yx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The identity cosec−1t+sec−1t=π/2 lets both x and y be written as exponentials of a single parameter u, so dy/dx follows from parametric differentiation. Answer: −xy.
Concept and Intuition
When x and y are both given as functions of a common (possibly hidden) parameter — here through the complementary inverse trig identity — the cleanest path is to introduce that parameter explicitly and use dxdy=dx/dudy/du, rather than trying to eliminate t directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- For ∣t∣≥1, the standard identity cosec−1t+sec−1t=2π holds.
- Let u=cosec−1t. Then sec−1t=2π−u.
- x=2u=2u/2, and y=2π/2−u=2(π/2−u)/2=2π/4−u/2.
- Differentiate w.r.t. u: dudx=2u/2ln2⋅21=2xln2.
- dudy=2π/4−u/2ln2⋅(−21)=−2yln2.
- dxdy=dx/dudy/du=xln2/2−yln2/2=−xy.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the identity linking cosec−1t and sec−1t and instead trying to differentiate x and y directly with respect to t using the (more complicated) derivative of cosec−1t.
- Sign error: missing the minus sign that comes from sec−1t=π/2−u (a decreasing function of u).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — −xy.
ANSWER: C
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