Q.Find dxdy in the following: cos(x)
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →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: …
Concept: Chain Rule — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let y=cos(x).
The outer function is cos(u), where u=x=x1/2.
Step 1: dudy=−sin(u)=−sin(x).
Step 2: dxdu=2x1. …
To differentiate cos(x), we apply the chain rule: differentiate the outer cosine function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner square root. The result is dxdy=−2xsin(x).
The core idea here is the chain rule — the essential tool when one function is "inside" another. Think of it like peeling an onion: you differentiate the outer layer first, leaving the inner part untouched, then multiply by the derivative of the inner layer. For cos(x), the outer function is cos(u) and the inner function is u=x. The chain rule says:
dxdy=dxdcos(u)=−sin(u)⋅dxdu
Now let's work through it step by step.
-
Identify the composition.
We have y=cos(x). Let u=x. Then y=cos(u). This makes the chain rule straightforward: we need dudy and dxdu.
-
Differentiate the outer function.
The derivative of cos(u) with respect to u is −sin(u). So:
dudy=−sin(u)
- Differentiate the inner function. The inner function is u=x=x1/2. Its derivative is:
dxdu=21x−1/2=2x1
- Apply the chain rule. Multiply the two derivatives:
dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu=(−sin(u))⋅(2x1)
- Substitute back u=x. Replace u with x to express everything in terms of x: …
Method: The Two-Layer Chain Rule
Use this method for the most basic chain-rule case: a function with exactly one "outer" function wrapped around one "inner" function, y=f(g(x)).
Steps
Step 1: Name the outer and inner function explicitly
Write y=f(u) where u=g(x). Resist the temptation to differentiate "in your head" — writing u down explicitly prevents accidentally skipping a layer.
Step 2: Differentiate the outer function with respect to u
Use the standard derivative rule for whatever f is (trig, exponential, power, etc.), keeping u as a single symbol rather than substituting its formula in yet.
Step 3: Differentiate the inner function with respect to x …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to multiply by the derivative of the inner function x
Why it's wrong: writing dxdcos(x)=−sin(x) and stopping there only accounts for the outer cosine layer — the chain rule always requires an extra factor from the inner function, here 2x1. Correct approach: explicitly identify u=x before differentiating, so the multiplication by dxdu isn't skipped.
Mistake 2: Writing dxdx=x1 instead of 2x1 …
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). …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If f′(x)=2x2−1 and y=f(x3), then find the value of dxdy at x=1. (A) -1 (B) 3 (C) 0 (D) -3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Direct chain-rule application: y=f(x3) gives y′=3x2f′(x3), 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
- y=f(x3), so dxdy=f′(x3)⋅dxd(x3)=f′(x3)⋅3x2.
- At x=1: inner value is x3=1, so we need f′(1)=2(1)2−1=1=1.
- Then dxdyx=1=1⋅3(1)2=3.
Common Mistakes …
- 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). …
- 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). …
- 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. …
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