Q.Find dxdy in the following: log(logx),x>1
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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 first, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let y=log(logx). The outer function is log(⋅), the inner function is logx.
Step 1: Derivative of outer function with respect to its argument:
d(logx)dlog(logx)=logx1.
Step 2: Derivative of inner function: …
Use the chain rule twice: differentiate the outer log, then the inner log, then multiply by the derivative of x. The result is dxdy=xlogx1.
We have y=log(logx), with x>1 so that logx>0 and the expression is defined. The function is a composition: the outermost function is log(⋅), applied to logx, which itself is a function of x. To differentiate a composition, we use the chain rule.
The chain rule says: if y=f(g(x)), then dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x). Here, f(u)=logu and g(x)=logx. So we differentiate the outer log first, leaving the inner function untouched, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
-
Identify the outer and inner functions.
Outer: f(u)=logu, where u=logx.
Inner: g(x)=logx.
-
Differentiate the outer function with respect to its argument.
The derivative of logu is u1. So f′(u)=logx1.
-
Differentiate the inner function with respect to x.
The derivative of logx is x1.
-
Apply the chain rule.
Multiply the two derivatives:
dxdy=logx1⋅x1.
- Simplify. The product is simply xlogx1. …
Method: Chain Rule for Nested Logarithms
Use this whenever you must differentiate a logarithm of a logarithm (or any further nesting of the same function).
Steps
Step 1: Identify the outer and inner logarithm
Write y=log(u) where u=logx.
Step 2: Differentiate the outer logarithm with respect to its own argument
dudy=u1=logx1
Step 3: Differentiate the inner logarithm with respect to x
dxdu=x1
Step 4: Multiply the two derivatives (chain rule) …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Stopping after differentiating only the outer logarithm
Why it's wrong: writing dxdy=logx1 and stopping forgets that logx is itself a function of x that must contribute its own derivative x1. Correct approach: always ask "is the argument of this logarithm just x, or something built from x?" — if it's the latter, the chain rule still applies.
Mistake 2: Confusing the domain condition x>1 with a differentiation step
Why it's wrong: the condition x>1 exists to keep logx>0 (so the outer logarithm is defined) — it plays no role in the differentiation formula itself, and treating it as something to substitute into the derivative is a misunderstanding of its purpose. Correct approach: use the domain condition only to justify that the expression is defined, not as a value to plug in. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 23 on this concept.
- 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 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 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=Sinh−1t+log(t2+1) and y=Tan−1t+log∣t∣, then dxdy= (A) 2t+t4+t2t2+t+1 (B) 2t+t2+1t2+t+1 (C) 2t2+t4+t2t2+t+1 (D) 2+1+t2t2+t+1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests parametric differentiation (dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt) with inverse-hyperbolic and inverse-trig terms; the answer is option (C).
Concept and Intuition
When both x and y are given in terms of a parameter t, we find dy/dx as the ratio of the two derivatives with respect to t, using dtdSinh−1t=1+t21 and dtdTan−1t=1+t21.
Step-by-Step Solution
- dtdx=1+t21+t2+12t (since dtdlog(t2+1)=t2+12t).
- dtdy=1+t21+t1=t(1+t2)t+(1+t2)=t(1+t2)t2+t+1.
- Write dtdx over common denominator 1+t2: dtdx=1+t21+t2+2t. …
- 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 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 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=22xlog(3x−2), then f′(2)= (A) log44log2log4+3 (B) 2log48(log2)2+3 (C) 2log48(log4)2+3 (D) 2log48log2log4+3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate f(x)=22xlog(3x−2) using the chain rule on the square root and the product rule inside; at x=2 this evaluates to 2log48log2log4+3.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever a function is a square root of a product, write f=L so f′=2LL′ (chain rule), then find L′ using the product rule since L(x)=22x⋅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
- Let L(x)=22xlog(3x−2), so f(x)=L(x) and f′(x)=2L(x)L′(x).
- Evaluate L(2): 22(2)=24=16; log(3(2)−2)=log4. So L(2)=16log4, and L(2)=16log4=4log4.
- Find L′(x) by the product rule: L′(x)=dxd[22x]log(3x−2)+22x⋅dxd[log(3x−2)].
- dxd22x=22x⋅ln2⋅2=2⋅22xlog2 (using log as natural log consistently), i.e. 22x+1log2.
- dxdlog(3x−2)=3x−23.
- So L′(x)=22x+1log2⋅log(3x−2)+22x⋅3x−23. …
- 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.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 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. …
- 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 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=sec−1(2x2−11) and g(x)=tan−1(x1+x2−1), then the derivative of f(x) with respect to g(x) is (A) 41−x21+x2 (B) 41+x21−x2 (C) −1+x24(1−x2) (D) −1−x24(1+x2)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify both f and g using standard inverse-trig substitutions, then take the ratio of derivatives. Answer: dgdf=−1−x24(1+x2).
Concept and Intuition
dgdf means dg/dxdf/dx. Both f and g are compositions of inverse trig functions that simplify beautifully with the right substitution (x=cosθ-type for f, x=tanθ for g), turning ugly inverse-trig expressions into simple linear multiples of tan−1x or cos−1x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- f(x)=sec−1(2x2−11)=cos−1(2x2−1) since sec−1(1/u)=cos−1u.
- For x∈(0,1), write x=cosθ: then 2x2−1=2cos2θ−1=cos2θ, so f=cos−1(cos2θ)=2θ=2cos−1x.
- f′(x)=2⋅(−1−x21)=−1−x22.
- For g: put x=tanθ, so 1+x2=secθ. Then x1+x2−1=tanθsecθ−1=sinθ1−cosθ=tan(2θ).
- So g(x)=tan−1(tan2θ)=2θ=21tan−1x. …
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