Q.Find dxdy in the following: x=a(cost+logtan2t),y=asint
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Implicit Differentiation
When y isn't alone
You can differentiate y=x2+3x term by term because y is written explicitly in terms of x. But an equation like x2+y2=25, or x3+y3=6xy, does not give y by itself — solving for y is messy or downright impossible.
Implicit differentiation finds dxdy without isolating y: treat y as an unknown function of x, differentiate the whole equation as it stands, then solve for dxdy.
The one key move: y is really y(x)
Wherever y appears, picture y(x) hiding inside. Differentiating a y-term therefore needs the chain rule, which tacks on a factor of dxdy:
dxd(y2)=2ydxdy.
That extra dxdy on every y-term is the whole trick.
The procedure
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x, treating y as y(x).
- Each time you differentiate a y-term, multiply by dxdy (chain rule); use the product rule on mixed terms such as xy.
- Gather all dxdy terms on one side, everything else on the other.
- Factor out dxdy and divide.
Worked example
For x2+y2=25:
2x+2ydxdy=0⇒dxdy=−yx.
The answer naturally contains both x and y — that is normal here. To get the slope at a point on the curve, substitute the coordinates after differentiating; there is no need to solve for y first. …
The key idea is Implicit Differentiation using parametric equations — we find dxdy as dx/dtdy/dt.
First, differentiate y with respect to t:
dtdy=acost
Next, differentiate x with respect to t. The derivative of acost is −asint. For alogtan2t, use the chain rule:
dtd(logtan2t)=tan2t1⋅sec22t⋅21=2sin2tcos2t1=sint1
Thus, …
We use parametric differentiation: differentiate x and y with respect to t, then compute dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt. The result simplifies to dxdy=tant.
When a curve is given in parametric form — x=f(t), y=g(t) — the derivative dxdy is not directly available. But the chain rule gives a clean path:
dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt,provided dtdx=0.
This is the core idea of parametric differentiation. Instead of eliminating t (which is often messy), we differentiate each equation with respect to the parameter t and then take the ratio.
Let’s apply this to the given equations.
- Differentiate y=asint with respect to t. Since a is a constant,
dtdy=acost.
- Differentiate x=a(cost+logtan2t) with respect to t. Factor out the constant a:
dtdx=a(dtd[cost]+dtd[logtan2t]).
The derivative of cost is −sint.
For the logarithmic term, use the chain rule:
dtd[logtan2t]=tan2t1⋅dtd[tan2t].
Now dtd[tan2t]=sec22t⋅21 (by the chain rule again, since derivative of 2t is 21).
So
dtd[logtan2t]=tan2t1⋅21sec22t.
Recall that tanθ1=cotθ and sec2θ=1+tan2θ, but here a simpler simplification is:
tan2t1⋅sec22t=sin2tcos2t⋅cos22t1=sin2tcos2t1.
And sin2tcos2t=21sint (using the double-angle identity sin2θ=2sinθcosθ).
Therefore,
sin2tcos2t1=sint2.
Including the factor 21 from earlier:
dtd[logtan2t]=21⋅sint2=sint1. …
Method: Differentiating a Parametric Curve
This method applies whenever a curve is given through a third variable (a parameter — commonly t or θ) instead of y written directly as a function of x.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the parametric form
If you are given x=f(param) and y=g(param) instead of y=h(x), do not try to eliminate the parameter first — it is often messy or impossible. Differentiate each equation separately with respect to the parameter instead.
Step 2: Differentiate x and y with respect to the parameter
Use the ordinary rules (product rule, chain rule, standard derivatives) to find dθdx (or dtdx) and dθdy (or dtdy).
Step 3: Divide — the parametric-derivative formula
dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ,dθdx=0.
This is justified by the chain rule: dθdy=dxdy⋅dθdx, so dividing recovers dxdy.
Step 4: Simplify with trigonometric identities where possible …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the 21 factor when differentiating tan2t.
Why it's wrong: the chain rule on tan2t contributes sec22t⋅21, and forgetting the 21 doubles that part of the answer. Correct approach: differentiate the inner argument 2t explicitly as its own step.
Mistake 2: Not converting sin2tcos2t1 to sint2 via the double-angle identity. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 50 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If x2+y2=t−t1 and x4+y4=t2+t21, then dxdy= (A) xy (B) x2y2 (C) xy (D) −xy
›Reveal solutionSolution
Eliminating the parameter t between the two given equations produces the direct relation x2y2=−1 between x and y, whose implicit derivative is −y/x.
Concept and Intuition
When x and y are both linked to a parameter t through two equations, differentiating each with respect to t separately (and dividing) works, but it is often faster — and here it is exact — to first eliminate t algebraically to get a direct x–y relation, then differentiate that implicitly in the ordinary way.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Square the first equation: (x2+y2)2=(t−t1)2=t2−2+t21, i.e. x4+2x2y2+y4=t2+t21−2.
- The second equation says x4+y4=t2+t21. Substitute this in: (t2+t21)+2x2y2=t2+t21−2.
- This forces 2x2y2=−2⇒x2y2=−1 — a t-free relation directly linking x and y. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If (a+2bcosx)(a−2bcosy)=a2−b2 where a>b>0, then at (4π,4π), dxdy= (A) a−ba+b (B) a+ba−b (C) a+2ba−2b (D) 2a−b2a+b
›Reveal solutionSolution
Expand the product, simplify by dividing by the common factor b, then implicitly differentiate and evaluate at x=y=π/4. Answer: a+ba−b.
Concept and Intuition
The given relation looks intimidating as a product, but expanding it cancels the a2 on both sides (since the RHS is a2−b2) and leaves a much simpler equation relating cosx,cosy, and cosxcosy. From there it's routine implicit differentiation; the special evaluation point x=y=π/4 is chosen because sin and cos coincide there, which cancels neatly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Expand: a2−a2bcosy+a2bcosx−2b2cosxcosy=a2−b2.
- Cancel a2 from both sides: 2ab(cosx−cosy)−2b2cosxcosy=−b2.
- Divide through by b (nonzero): 2a(cosx−cosy)−2bcosxcosy+b=0.
- Differentiate implicitly w.r.t. x (treat y=y(x)):
2a(−sinx+siny⋅y′)−2b(−sinxcosy−cosxsiny⋅y′)=0.
- Group y′ terms: y′(2asiny+2bcosxsiny)=2asinx−2bsinxcosy.
- So y′=siny(2a+2bcosx)sinx(2a−2bcosy).
- At x=y=4π: sinx=siny=cosx=cosy=21. Substitute: …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=(tanx)sinx, then dxdy= (A) (tanx)sinx{secx+(cosx)(log(tanx))} (B) (sinx)tanx{secx+(cosx)(log(tanx))} (C) (tanx)sinx{secx−(cosx)(log(tanx))} (D) (sinx)tanx{secx−(cosx)(log(tanx))}
›Reveal solutionSolution
Logarithmic differentiation of y=(tanx)sinx gives y′=(tanx)sinx{secx+cosxlog(tanx)}.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever both the base and the exponent are functions of x (here base tanx, exponent sinx), take natural log of both sides first — this converts the power into a product, which is easy to differentiate using the product rule.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=(tanx)sinx. Take log: logy=sinx⋅log(tanx).
- Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x using the product rule on the right: y1dxdy=cosx⋅log(tanx)+sinx⋅tanx1⋅sec2x.
- Simplify the second term: sinx⋅tanxsec2x=sinx⋅cos2x1⋅sinxcosx=cosx1=secx.
- So y1dxdy=cosxlog(tanx)+secx. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.If Tan−1x2+Tan−1y2=2π, then (dxdy)(−1,2)= (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 21 (D) −21
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reducing to y2=x−2 gives dxdy=−x3y1, which at (−1,2) equals 21.
Concept and Intuition
If Tan−1a+Tan−1b=2π with a,b>0, then Tan−1b=2π−Tan−1a=Cot−1a, so b=a1. Applying this to a=x2, b=y2 collapses the relation into an algebraic one.
Step-by-Step Solution
- From Tan−1x2+Tan−1y2=2π we get y2=x21=x−2.
- Differentiate: 2ydxdy=−2x−3.
- Hence dxdy=−x3y1. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.If xycos4α+yxsin4α=2sin2α⋅cos2α, then dxdy= (A) sin3αcosα (B) sin2αcos2α (C) cos2αsin2α (D) sinαcos3α
›Reveal solutionSolution
The given relation is secretly a perfect square in disguise; it forces y=xtan2α, so dy/dx=tan2α.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than differentiating implicitly right away, it pays to recognise the algebraic structure first. Multiplying by xy converts the equation into a quadratic in x and y that factors as a perfect square, revealing y/x is actually a constant (independent of x), which makes the derivative trivial.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start from xycos4α+yxsin4α=2sin2αcos2α.
- Multiply both sides by xy: y2cos4α+x2sin4α=2xysin2αcos2α.
- Rearrange: y2cos4α−2xysin2αcos2α+x2sin4α=0.
- This is (ycos2α−xsin2α)2=0, so ycos2α=xsin2α, i.e. y=xtan2α. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=(logxsinx)x, then dxdy= (A) y[logcosxxsinx+log(logsinx)+logx1−log(logx)] (B) y[logsinxxcosx−log(logsinx)+logx1+log(logx)] (C) y[logsinxxcotx+log(logsinx)−logx1−log(logx)] (D) y[logsinxxcotx−log(logsinx)+logx1−logx]
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a logarithmic-differentiation problem with a function-of-a-function base; careful chain-rule bookkeeping on u=logx(sinx) gives option (C).
Concept and Intuition
When both the base and the exponent are functions of x (here the base is itself logx(sinx)), the standard technique is logarithmic differentiation: take ln of both sides to turn the power into a product, then differentiate using the product and chain rules.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=logx(sinx)=lnxlnsinx, so y=ux.
- Take logs: lny=xlnu.
- Differentiate: yy′=lnu+x⋅uu′.
- Compute u′: with u=lnxlnsinx,
u′=(lnx)2cotx⋅lnx−lnsinx⋅x1.
- Then
uu′=(lnx)2cotx⋅lnx−xlnsinx⋅lnsinxlnx=lnsinxcotx−xlnx1.
- So x⋅uu′=lnsinxxcotx−lnx1.
- And lnu=ln(lnsinx)−ln(lnx).
- Combine:
yy′=ln(lnsinx)−ln(lnx)+lnsinxxcotx−lnx1,
so …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.If tan(e3x)=cot(e2y), then at x=0, dxdy= (A) 2−π3 (B) 32−π (C) π−23 (D) 3π−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite cot as a shifted tan to turn the equation into an algebraic (exponential) relation between x and y, then implicitly differentiate and evaluate at x=0. Answer: 2−π3.
Concept and Intuition
tanθ1=tanθ2 implies θ1=θ2+nπ for integer n; taking n=0 (the principal relation intended here) converts the trig equation into a clean equation between the exponential expressions, which we can differentiate implicitly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Use the identity cotθ=tan(2π−θ) with θ=e2y: cot(e2y)=tan(2π−e2y).
- Given tan(e3x)=cot(e2y)=tan(2π−e2y), equate arguments (principal branch): e3x=2π−e2y.
- Rearrange: e3x+e2y=2π.
- Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x: 3e3x+2e2ydxdy=0.
- Solve: dxdy=−2e2y3e3x.
- At x=0: e3x=e0=1. From step 3, 1+e2y=2π⇒e2y=2π−1=2π−2. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.If sinxcosy−cosysinx=0, then dxdy= (A) tanx (B) 1 (C) −1 (D) −cotx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The given relation simplifies to sinx=cosy; implicit differentiation of this simpler relation gives dxdy=−1.
Concept and Intuition
Many implicit-differentiation problems hide a much simpler relation inside a more complicated-looking equation. Recognizing that both sides share a common factor of sinxcosy lets us cancel down to something we can differentiate directly, instead of differentiating the square-root expression term by term.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start with sinxcosy−cosysinx=0, i.e. sinxcosy=cosysinx.
- Divide both sides by sinxcosy (both taken positive for the relevant domain):
sinxsinx=cosycosy⇒sinx=cosy.
- Squaring, sinx=cosy.
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x: cosx=−sinydxdy. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.If x2tan−1xy−y2tan−1yx=k, then (dxdy)(1,1)= (A) 0 (B) π/4 (C) 1 (D) π/2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Implicit differentiation of x2tan−1(y/x)−y2tan−1(x/y)=k evaluated at (1,1) gives dy/dx=1.
Concept and Intuition
Differentiate both terms using product and chain rules, being careful with the derivatives of tan−1(y/x) and tan−1(x/y) with respect to x (treating y as a function of x).
Step-by-Step Solution
- dxd[x2tan−1xy]=2xtan−1xy+x2⋅x2+y2y′x−y.
- dxd[y2tan−1yx]=2yy′tan−1yx+y2⋅x2+y2y−xy′.
- Setting derivative of LHS =0 and evaluating at (1,1), where tan−1(1)=π/4 for both terms: 2⋅4π+2y′−1−2y′⋅4π−21−y′=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-10-05-FN1 markMCQQ.If yyy⋅⋅⋅∞=log{x+log{x+⋯}}, then dxdy at x=e2−2, y=2 equals _____ (A) 22(e2−1)log2 (B) 22(e2−1)1−log2 (C) e2−12(1−log2) (D) 2(e2−1)log2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both sides define the same implicit quantity u via a self-referential equation; differentiate each side's defining equation implicitly and combine using the chain rule. The answer is (B).
Concept and Intuition
The infinite power tower yyy⋯=u satisfies the self-consistency equation u=yu (the tower "regenerates" itself). Likewise the infinite nested logarithm log{x+log{x+⋯}}=u satisfies u=log(x+u). Since the problem states these two quantities are equal (both equal to the same u), u is implicitly a common function linking x and y; differentiating each defining relation gives du/dy and du/dx, and the chain rule combines them into dy/dx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Verify u=2 at the given point. Nested log: u=log(x+u) at x=e2−2: try u=2: log(e2−2+2)=log(e2)=2 ✓. Tower: u=yu at y=2: try u=2: (2)2=2 ✓. Both consistent with u=2.
- Differentiate the tower relation u=yu w.r.t. y. Take log: logu=ulogy. Differentiate: u1dydu=dydulogy+yu ⇒(u1−logy)dydu=yu⇒dydu=y(1−ulogy)u2. At y=2, u=2: dydu=2(1−2log2)4=2(1−ln2)4=1−ln222. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If 3sinxy+4cosxy=5, then dxdy is equal to ____ (A) 3cosxy−4sinxy3sinxy+4cosxy (B) 4cosxy−3sinxy3cosxy+4sinxy (C) x−y (D) yx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since 3sinθ+4cosθ has maximum value exactly 5 (as 32+42=5), equating it to 5 forces xy to be a fixed constant, so implicit differentiation of xy=c gives dy/dx=−y/x.
Concept and Intuition
asinθ+bcosθ always has amplitude a2+b2 — here 9+16=5. So the equation 3sin(xy)+4cos(xy)=5 isn't a "generic" implicit curve; it can only be satisfied when the expression sits exactly at its maximum, which happens at one specific angle. That pins xy to a single constant value, turning a trigonometric-looking implicit relation into the much simpler xy=const.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note 32+42=25=52, so 3sinθ+4cosθ has maximum value 5, attained only when θ equals the specific angle ϕ=tan−1(3/4) (mod 2π).
- The given equation demands 3sin(xy)+4cos(xy)=5, i.e. the maximum — so xy=ϕ is fixed, a constant independent of which point on the curve we pick. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.If x2+y2=t+t1 and x4+y4=t2+t21, then x3ydxdy= (A) -1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The two given relations force x2y2=1 (i.e. xy is constant), from which x3ydy/dx=−1.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than solving for x,y in terms of t explicitly, combine the two given equations algebraically (square the first, subtract the second) to eliminate t entirely and land on a simple constant-product relation between x and y.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Square the first relation: (x2+y2)2=(t+t1)2=t2+2+t21, i.e.
x4+2x2y2+y4=t2+2+t21
- The second given relation is x4+y4=t2+t21.
- Subtract: 2x2y2=(t2+2+t21)−(t2+t21)=2, so x2y2=1.
- This means xy=±1, a constant independent of t. Differentiate xy=const implicitly: …
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