Q.Find dxdy in the following: cos(cx+d)sin(ax+b)
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Derivative Evaluation
To evaluate a derivative means to find f′(a) — a single number that tells you how fast f is changing right at x=a. Think of a speedometer: it doesn't report how far you've travelled, only how fast your position is changing at this instant. That instantaneous rate of change is exactly what f′(a) measures.
The geometric picture
On the curve y=f(x), pick a point P and a nearby point Q. The straight line through them — the secant — has slope equal to the average rate of change between P and Q. Now slide Q toward P: the secant rotates into the tangent line that just touches the curve at P, and its slope is f′(a).
f′(a) is the slope of the tangent to y=f(x) at x=a — how steep the curve is right there.
The limit definition
f′(a)=limh→0hf(a+h)−f(a)
Here h is a tiny step from a to a+h, the numerator is the matching change in height, and the ratio is a secant slope. As h→0 the secant becomes the tangent. An equivalent form is
f′(a)=limx→ax−af(x)−f(a).
When this limit exists, f is differentiable at a (which forces continuity there).
Continuity alone is not enough. f(x)=∣x∣ is continuous at 0, but its left slope −1 and right slope +1 disagree, so f′(0) does not exist — a corner has no single tangent.
A worked evaluation
For f(x)=x2 at x=3:
f′(3)=limh→0h(3+h)2−9=limh→0(6+h)=6.
So the tangent at x=3 has slope 6.
From a number to a function …
Use the quotient rule (vu)′=v2u′v−uv′, with the chain rule on each linear argument.
Let u=sin(ax+b) and v=cos(cx+d), so u′=acos(ax+b) and v′=−csin(cx+d). Then …
Quotient rule plus the chain rule give dxdy=cos2(cx+d)acos(ax+b)cos(cx+d)+csin(ax+b)sin(cx+d).
We are differentiating y=cos(cx+d)sin(ax+b), a ratio of two functions, so the quotient rule is the tool. Because each trig function has a linear argument, the chain rule supplies the constants a and c.
Set up
Let u=sin(ax+b) and v=cos(cx+d). Then
u′=acos(ax+b),v′=−csin(cx+d).
Don't drop the chain-rule constant: dxdsin(ax+b)=acos(ax+b), not cos(ax+b).
Apply the quotient rule
dxdy=v2u′v−uv′=cos2(cx+d)acos(ax+b)cos(cx+d)−sin(ax+b)(−csin(cx+d)).
Simplify the numerator
The double negative becomes a plus: …
Method: Quotient Rule Combined with the Chain Rule (Linear Arguments)
Use this method whenever you must differentiate a ratio of two functions, y=v(x)u(x), and each of u and v is itself a function of a linear expression (like ax+b) rather than of plain x.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the numerator and denominator as separate functions
Label u(x) as the numerator and v(x) as the denominator before differentiating anything — do not try to simplify or combine the expression first.
Step 2: Differentiate u and v separately, using the chain rule for their linear arguments
Because the argument is mx+n rather than plain x, every derivative picks up the constant multiplier m:
dxdsin(mx+n)=mcos(mx+n),dxdcos(mx+n)=−msin(mx+n).
In general, dxdf(mx+n)=m⋅f′(mx+n) for any linear inner function.
Step 3: Apply the quotient rule formula …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the chain-rule constant a or c
Why it's wrong: writing dxdsin(ax+b)=cos(ax+b) (missing the factor a) treats the argument as if it were plain x. Correct approach: whenever the argument of a trig function is mx+n rather than x, the derivative always carries an extra factor of m from the chain rule.
Mistake 2: Losing the sign when substituting v′=−csin(cx+d) into the quotient rule
Why it's wrong: the quotient rule's −uv′ term becomes −u⋅(−csin(cx+d))=+cusin(cx+d); students often keep the minus sign and write the numerator with the wrong sign on the second term. Correct approach: substitute v′ with its own sign intact and simplify the double negative as a separate, explicit step. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 48 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=sinxcosxxcosx−sinx1sinxcosx1, then dxdy= (A) xcosx (B) xsinx (C) sinx+cosx (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Expanding the determinant gives y=x−1, so dxdy=1 — option (D).
Working. Expand along the first row:
y=sinx[(−sinx)(1)−(cosx)(1)]−cosx[(cosx)(1)−(cosx)(x)]+sinx[(cosx)(1)−(−sinx)(x)]
=−sin2x−sinxcosx−cos2x(1−x)+sinxcosx+xsin2x
The two sinxcosx terms cancel, leaving: …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=5cos3x−3sin2x and g(x)=4sin3x+cos2x, then the derivative of f(x) with respect to g(x) is (A) 6cosx−15cosx+2 (B) −(6cosx−15cosx+2) (C) 12sinx+215cosx−6 (D) −(12sinx−215cosx+6)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The derivative of one function with respect to another is the ratio of their derivatives w.r.t. x; simplifying gives −12sinx−215cosx+6.
Concept and Intuition
When asked for dgdf (derivative of f with respect to g, not x), the chain rule gives dgdf=dg/dxdf/dx, valid wherever g′(x)=0. So computing both ordinary derivatives w.r.t. x and dividing solves it directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- f(x)=5cos3x−3sin2x. f′(x)=5⋅3cos2x(−sinx)−3⋅2sinxcosx=−15cos2xsinx−6sinxcosx=−3sinxcosx(5cosx+2).
- g(x)=4sin3x+cos2x. g′(x)=4⋅3sin2xcosx+2cosx(−sinx)=12sin2xcosx−2sinxcosx=2sinxcosx(6sinx−1). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.dxd{sin2(Cot−11−x1+x)}= (A) 0 (B) 21 (C) 2−1 (D) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests simplifying an inverse-trig composite using the identity sin2θ=1+cot2θ1 before differentiating, avoiding messy chain-rule work. Answer: −21.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than differentiating sin2(Cot−1(⋯)) directly through the chain rule, it's far simpler to algebraically simplify the whole expression to a function of x first, since cotθ is given explicitly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let θ=Cot−11−x1+x, so cotθ=1−x1+x, hence cot2θ=1−x1+x.
- Using sin2θ=1+cot2θ1: sin2θ=1+1−x1+x1=(1−x)+(1+x)1−x=21−x. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.At x=4π2, dxd(Tan−1(cosx)+Sec−1(ex))= (A) eπ2/2−11−π1 (B) 4π+eπ2+eπ2/21 (C) eπ2+eπ2/21+π2cot(2π) (D) eπ1+π1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate each inverse-trig composite separately and evaluate at x=π2/4.
Concept and Intuition
Use dxdTan−1(u)=1+u2u′ and dxdSec−1(u)=∣u∣u2−1u′, then substitute the given value of x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=cosx. u′=−sin(x)⋅2x1.
- At x=π2/4: x=π/2, so cos(π/2)=0⇒u=0, and sin(π/2)=1, so u′=−1⋅2(π/2)1=−π1.
- dxdTan−1(u)=1+u2u′=1+0−1/π=−π1.
- Now let v=ex. dxdSec−1(v)=∣v∣v2−1v′=exe2x−1ex=e2x−11 (using ex>0).
- At x=π2/4: this is eπ2/2−11. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=log(1−x1+x)1/4−21tan−1(x), then dxdy at x=21 equals ______ (A) 3−4 (B) 34 (C) 3−2 (D) 32
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests differentiating a log-of-a-power expression combined with an arctan term, then evaluating at a specific point.
Concept and Intuition
Splitting log[1−x1+x]1/4 using log rules turns it into 41[log(1+x)−log(1−x)], which differentiates term-by-term far more easily than trying to apply the chain rule to the whole power-of-a-quotient directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite y=41log(1−x1+x)−21tan−1x=41[log(1+x)−log(1−x)]−21tan−1x.
- Differentiate: dxdy=41[1+x1+1−x1]−21⋅1+x21.
- Combine the bracket: 1+x1+1−x1=1−x2(1−x)+(1+x)=1−x22.
- So dxdy=41⋅1−x22−2(1+x2)1=2(1−x2)1−2(1+x2)1.
- Combine over a common denominator: =21⋅(1−x2)(1+x2)(1+x2)−(1−x2)=21⋅1−x42x2=1−x4x2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=Tan−1(1+x2−1−x21+x2+1−x2), then f′(−21)= (A) −21 (B) 21 (C) −152 (D) 152
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests simplifying an inverse-trig expression via a trigonometric substitution before differentiating. Once simplified, f(x)=4π+21cos−1(x2), giving f′(−21)=152.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions with 1+x2 and 1−x2 together strongly suggest substituting x2=cosφ, turning both square roots into half-angle sine/cosine forms via 1±cosφ=2cos22φ or 2sin22φ. This collapses the arctangent of a ratio into a simple tangent addition, making the function (and its derivative) far easier to handle than direct differentiation of the original expression.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x2=cosφ. Then 1+x2=1+cosφ=2cos22φ and 1−x2=1−cosφ=2sin22φ.
- So 1+x2=2cos2φ and 1−x2=2sin2φ (taking the principal positive roots).
- The ratio inside f: cos2φ−sin2φcos2φ+sin2φ=1−tan2φ1+tan2φ=tan(4π+2φ).
- So f(x)=tan−1[tan(4π+2φ)]=4π+2φ=4π+21cos−1(x2). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=Tan−1(1−3x23x−x3)+Tan−1(1−12x27x), then at x=0, dxdy= (A) 6 (B) 7 (C) 9 (D) 10
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the sum of two arctangent expressions term-by-term and evaluate at x=0; the answer is 10.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than trying to recognize the whole expression as some multiple-angle identity, it is safest and fastest to differentiate each Tan−1(⋅) term directly using the chain rule dxdTan−1(u)=1+u2u′, then substitute x=0. Since we only need the derivative at a point, we don't need the general antiderivative simplification (e.g., recognizing 1−3x23x−x3 as tan(3θ) for x=tanθ) — direct differentiation is more robust.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let y=Tan−1(u)+Tan−1(v) where u=1−3x23x−x3 and v=1−12x27x.
- First term derivative at x=0:
u′=(1−3x2)2(3−3x2)(1−3x2)−(3x−x3)(−6x).
At x=0: numerator =(3)(1)−0=3, denominator =1, so u′(0)=3. Also u(0)=0.
Contribution: 1+u(0)2u′(0)=13=3.
3. Second term derivative at x=0:
v′=(1−12x2)27(1−12x2)−7x(−24x).
At x=0: numerator =7(1)−0=7, denominator =1, so v′(0)=7. Also v(0)=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=Tan−1(1+x+x21)+Tan−1(x2+3x+31)+Tan−1(x2+5x+71), then y′(0)= (A) −103 (B) −21 (C) −107 (D) −109
›Reveal solutionSolution
Each arctan term telescopes using arctanA−arctanB=arctan1+ABA−B, collapsing the whole sum to arctan(x+3)−arctanx; differentiating and plugging x=0 gives −9/10.
Concept and Intuition
The identity arctanA−arctanB=arctan1+ABA−B (when AB>−1) is the key: if we can write each denominator 1+x+x2 etc. as 1+AB for consecutive integers-shifted A,B with A−B=1, the arctan of the reciprocal collapses to a difference of two arctans. Stacking three such differences telescopes almost everything away, leaving only the first and last terms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First term: want A−B=1, AB=x+x2=x(x+1). Take A=x+1,B=x: A−B=1 ✓, AB=x(x+1)=x2+x ✓. So arctan1+x+x21=arctan(x+1)−arctanx.
- Second term: want AB=x2+3x+2=(x+1)(x+2). Take A=x+2,B=x+1: AB=(x+1)(x+2) ✓. So arctanx2+3x+31=arctan(x+2)−arctan(x+1).
- Third term: want AB=x2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3). Take A=x+3,B=x+2. So arctanx2+5x+71=arctan(x+3)−arctan(x+2).
- Sum: y=[arctan(x+1)−arctanx]+[arctan(x+2)−arctan(x+1)]+[arctan(x+3)−arctan(x+2)]. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.The derivative of Sec−1(2x2−11) with respect to 1−x2 at x=21 equals ________ (A) 2 (B) 21 (C) 41 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=cosθ reduces both functions to simple multiples of θ, giving the derivative of one with respect to the other as 2/x, which equals 4 at x=1/2.
Concept and Intuition
When asked for the derivative of one function of x with respect to another function of x (parametric-style differentiation), the trick is dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx. Here, substituting x=cosθ turns the ugly Sec−1(2x2−11) into the clean double-angle expression 2θ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=cosθ, θ∈[0,π], so sinθ=1−x2≥0.
- Then 2x2−1=2cos2θ−1=cos2θ, so 2x2−11=sec2θ.
- So u=Sec−1(sec2θ)=2θ=2Cos−1x (valid since at x=1/2, 2θ=2π/3∈[0,π]∖{π/2}, the correct principal range for Sec−1).
- dxdu=2⋅(1−x2−1)=1−x2−2.
- v=1−x2, so dxdv=1−x2−x. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=(x2−3)(2x−3)x43x−5, then (dxdy)x=2= (A) 5 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) −5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Logarithmic differentiation converts the messy root/product/quotient into a sum of logs; evaluating at x=2 gives y′=−5.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever a function is a product, quotient, or power of several simpler factors (especially under a square root), logarithmic differentiation is the cleanest route: take log of both sides to convert products to sums and powers to multiples, differentiate termwise, then multiply back by y.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write y=[(x2−3)(2x−3)x43x−5]1/2. Taking log:
logy=21[4logx+21log(3x−5)−log(x2−3)−log(2x−3)].
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x:
yy′=21[x4+21⋅3x−53−x2−32x−2x−32].
- Evaluate the original y at x=2: x4=16, 3x−5=1⇒1=1, x2−3=1, 2x−3=1. So y=16⋅1/(1⋅1)=16=4.
- Evaluate each bracket term at x=2:
- x4=24=2
- 21⋅3x−53=21⋅13=1.5 …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=−(1+x) Sec−1x is a real valued function, then f′(x)= (A) −2−(1+x)Sec−1x+xx−11 (B) −2−(1+x)Sec−1x−x1−x1 (C) −2−(1+x)Sec−1x−xx−11 (D) −2−(1+x)Sec−1x+x1−x1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests differentiating a product involving Sec−1x on its x≤−1 branch, being careful with the sign of ∣x∣ inside the arcsec derivative; the answer is option (B).
Concept and Intuition
f is only real for x≤−1 (so that −(1+x)≥0 and ∣x∣≥1). On this branch, x2−1 can be split as 1−x⋅−1−x — both factors positive when x≤−1 — and −1−x is exactly the u already in the problem, which lets the answer be written in the given form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=−(1+x), v=Sec−1x, so f=uv and f′=u′v+uv′.
- u′=2−(1+x)1⋅(−1)=−2u1.
- Standard result: dxdSec−1x=∣x∣x2−11. For x≤−1, ∣x∣=−x, so v′=−xx2−11.
- For x≤−1: x2−1=(1−x)(−1−x)=1−x⋅−1−x=1−x⋅u.
- So v′=−x1−xu1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.The derivative of Sec−1(2x2−11) with respect to 1−x2 at x=21 is (A) −2 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
A "derivative with respect to another function" problem — the substitution x=cosθ collapses Sec−1(2x2−1)−1 into 2θ, making the ratio of derivatives trivial. Answer: 4.
Concept and Intuition
To find dvdu where u=u(x) and v=v(x), use dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx (or, more cleanly here, a common parameter θ). The key trick recognizing 2x2−1 as cos2θ when x=cosθ turns the inverse secant of a rational expression into a simple linear function of θ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=cosθ, θ∈[0,π] (the natural domain for cos−1).
- Then 2x2−1=2cos2θ−1=cos2θ, so 2x2−11=cos2θ1=sec2θ.
- Hence u=Sec−1(sec2θ). Since x=21⇒θ=cos−1(21)=3π, we get 2θ=32π, which lies in [0,π] — the principal range of Sec−1 — so u=2θ=2cos−1x validly (no branch correction needed here).
- Also v=1−x2=1−cos2θ=sinθ (non-negative since θ∈[0,π]).
- Differentiate w.r.t. θ: dθdu=2, dθdv=cosθ=x.
- So dvdu=dv/dθdu/dθ=x2.
- At x=21: dvdu=1/22=4. …
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