Q.Differentiate (x2−5x+8)(x3+7x+9) in three ways mentioned below:
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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: …
The key idea is the Chain Rule (for logarithmic differentiation) and the Product Rule. We verify consistency by comparing results from three methods.
Step 1: Product Rule
Let u=x2−5x+8, v=x3+7x+9. Then u′=2x−5, v′=3x2+7.
dxdy=u′v+uv′=(2x−5)(x3+7x+9)+(x2−5x+8)(3x2+7)
Step 2: Expand and differentiate
First expand:
(x2−5x+8)(x3+7x+9)=x5−5x4+15x3−26x2+11x+72
Differentiate termwise:
dxdy=5x4−20x3+45x2−52x+11
Step 3: Logarithmic differentiation
Take logy=log(x2−5x+8)+log(x3+7x+9). Differentiate: …
The derivative of (x2−5x+8)(x3+7x+9) is 5x4−20x3+45x2−52x+11, and all three methods — product rule, expansion, and logarithmic differentiation — yield the same result, confirming consistency.
We are differentiating a product of two polynomials. The core idea is that the derivative of a product u⋅v is not simply u′⋅v′ — that would be a common mistake. Instead, the product rule tells us: each piece gets a turn to be differentiated while the other stays unchanged, and we add the results. This is the heart of why the rule works: it accounts for how small changes in both factors contribute to the overall change.
Let’s work through each method step by step.
1. Using the product rule
Let u=x2−5x+8 and v=x3+7x+9.
First, find the derivatives:
- u′=2x−5
- v′=3x2+7
The product rule states: dxd(uv)=u′v+uv′.
So:
dxdy=(2x−5)(x3+7x+9)+(x2−5x+8)(3x2+7)
Now expand each term carefully.
First term: (2x−5)(x3+7x+9)
- 2x⋅x3=2x4
- 2x⋅7x=14x2
- 2x⋅9=18x
- −5⋅x3=−5x3
- −5⋅7x=−35x
- −5⋅9=−45
So first term = 2x4−5x3+14x2+(18x−35x)−45=2x4−5x3+14x2−17x−45
Second term: (x2−5x+8)(3x2+7)
- x2⋅3x2=3x4
- x2⋅7=7x2
- −5x⋅3x2=−15x3
- −5x⋅7=−35x
- 8⋅3x2=24x2
- 8⋅7=56
So second term = 3x4−15x3+(7x2+24x2)−35x+56=3x4−15x3+31x2−35x+56
Now add them:
- x4 terms: 2x4+3x4=5x4
- x3 terms: −5x3−15x3=−20x3
- x2 terms: 14x2+31x2=45x2
- x terms: −17x−35x=−52x
- Constant: −45+56=11
Thus:
dxdy=5x4−20x3+45x2−52x+11
A common slip is forgetting to distribute the minus sign when expanding terms like −5x⋅7x — always double-check signs.
2. By expanding the product first
Multiply the two polynomials directly:
(x2−5x+8)(x3+7x+9)
Multiply each term of the first by each term of the second:
- x2⋅x3=x5
- x2⋅7x=7x3
- x2⋅9=9x2
- −5x⋅x3=−5x4
- −5x⋅7x=−35x2
- −5x⋅9=−45x
- 8⋅x3=8x3
- 8⋅7x=56x
- 8⋅9=72
Now combine like terms:
- x5: 1x5
- x4: −5x4
- x3: 7x3+8x3=15x3
- x2: 9x2−35x2=−26x2
- x: −45x+56x=11x
- Constant: 72
So the expanded polynomial is:
y=x5−5x4+15x3−26x2+11x+72
Now differentiate term by term:
- dxd(x5)=5x4
- dxd(−5x4)=−20x3
- dxd(15x3)=45x2
- dxd(−26x2)=−52x
- dxd(11x)=11
- dxd(72)=0
So:
dxdy=5x4−20x3+45x2−52x+11
This matches exactly.
Expanding first is often easier for simple polynomials, but the product rule is essential when factors are not easily multiplied (e.g., trigonometric or logarithmic functions).
3. By logarithmic differentiation …
Method: Cross-Checking a Derivative Using Three Independent Techniques
When a question asks you to differentiate the same function multiple ways, the point isn't just computing three times — it's understanding which technique suits which situation, and using agreement between methods as a genuine accuracy check.
Steps
Step 1: Product rule (the direct route)
For y=uv, use dxdy=u′v+uv′ directly. This always works and needs no preliminary algebra — the natural first choice for a product of two functions.
Step 2: Expand-then-differentiate (only works for polynomials)
Multiply the factors out into a single polynomial first, then differentiate term by term using the power rule. This avoids the product rule entirely, but only works when the factors are polynomials (or otherwise easy to multiply out) — it fails immediately for trig, log, or exponential factors.
Step 3: Logarithmic differentiation (works even where expansion doesn't)
Take logy=logu+logv, differentiate to get yy′=uu′+vv′, then multiply back by y=uv and simplify — the u in the numerator cancels the u in the first fraction's denominator, so this reduces algebraically to the same expression as the product rule.
Step 4: Confirm all three answers match …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Sign errors while expanding the two polynomials directly
Why it's wrong: with nine cross-terms to multiply and combine, it's easy to drop a minus sign (especially from terms like −5x⋅7x=−35x2) or miscombine like powers — a single sign slip changes the coefficient of one term in the final quartic without making the answer look obviously wrong. Correct approach: expand systematically term-by-term, and cross-check the result against the product-rule answer rather than trusting either method in isolation.
Mistake 2: In the logarithmic-differentiation method, forgetting to substitute y=uv back in before finishing …
Showing the 12 most recent of 23 on this concept.
- 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-2026-05-14-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-2025-05-23-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 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 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 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫f(x)dx=F(x)+C, then dtdg(t)∫h(t)f(x)dx= (A) f(h(t))−f(g(t)) (B) F(h(t))−F(g(t)) (C) F(h(t))h′(t)−F(g(t))g′(t) (D) f(h(t))h′(t)−f(g(t))g′(t)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is the Leibniz differentiation rule for integrals with variable limits.
Concept and Intuition
∫g(t)h(t)f(x)dx=F(h(t))−F(g(t)) where F′=f. Differentiating with respect to t needs the chain rule on both limits.
Step-by-Step Solution
- ∫g(t)h(t)f(x)dx=F(h(t))−F(g(t)), where F(x)=∫f(x)dx.
- Differentiate w.r.t. t: dtd[F(h(t))−F(g(t))]=F′(h(t))h′(t)−F′(g(t))g′(t).
- Since F′=f: this equals f(h(t))h′(t)−f(g(t))g′(t).
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(0)=0, f′(0)=3, then the derivative of y=f(f(f(f(f(x))))) at x=0 is (A) 16 (B) 32 (C) 81 (D) 243
›Reveal solutionSolution
Because 0 is a fixed point of f (f(0)=0), differentiating a repeated composition at x=0 just multiplies f′(0) by itself once per composition — five times here.
Concept and Intuition
By the chain rule, dxdf(g(x))=f′(g(x))g′(x). For a chain of five compositions, the derivative at a point is a product of five factors of f′, each evaluated at the running value of the inner composition at that point. Since f(0)=0, the running value stays 0 throughout, so every factor is just f′(0).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let y=f(f(f(f(f(x))))) (five nested f's).
- By repeated chain rule: y′(x)=f′(f(f(f(f(x)))))⋅f′(f(f(f(x))))⋅f′(f(f(x)))⋅f′(f(x))⋅f′(x).
- At x=0: since f(0)=0, we get f(x)=0, then f(f(x))=f(0)=0, and so on — every nested value at x=0 is 0. …
- 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 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.Given that dxd[∫0ϕ(x)f(t)dt]=ϕ′(f(x))f′(x). If ∫0x3f(t)dt=x2sin2πx, then the value of f(8) is (A) 2π/3 (B) 4π/3 (C) π/3 (D) π/12
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the given identity using the chain-rule form of Leibniz's theorem, then plug in x=2 (since 23=8) to isolate f(8).
Concept and Intuition
When the upper limit of an integral is itself a function of x (here x3), differentiating ∫0ϕ(x)f(t)dt with respect to x brings down f(ϕ(x))⋅ϕ′(x) by the chain rule — exactly analogous to differentiating a composite function.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: ∫0x3f(t)dt=x2sin(2πx).
- Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x. LHS: dxd∫0x3f(t)dt=f(x3)⋅3x2 (chain rule on the upper limit).
- RHS: dxd[x2sin(2πx)]=2xsin(2πx)+x2⋅2πcos(2πx).
- So 3x2f(x3)=2xsin(2πx)+2πx2cos(2πx). …
- 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 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. …
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