Q.Find $\frac{dy}{dx}$ in the following: $x^x + x^a + a^x + a^a$, for some fixed $a > 0$ and $x > 0$

Showing the 12 most recent of 50 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y = (\log_x \sin x)^x$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $y\left[\dfrac{x\sin x}{\log\cos x} + \log(\log\sin x) + \dfrac{1}{\log x} - \log(\log x)\right]$ (B) $y\left[\dfrac{x\cos x}{\log\sin x} - \log(\log\sin x) + \dfrac{1}{\log x} + \log(\log x)\right]$ (C) $y\left[\dfrac{x\cot x}{\log\sin x} + \log(\log\sin x) - \dfrac{1}{\log x} - \log(\log x)\right]$ (D) $y\left[\dfrac{x\cot x}{\log\sin x} - \log(\log\sin x) + \dfrac{1}{\log x} - \log x\right]$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This is a logarithmic-differentiation problem with a function-of-a-function base; careful chain-rule bookkeeping on $u=\log_x(\sin x)$ gives option (C).

   Concept and Intuition

   When both the base and the exponent are functions of $x$ (here the base is itself $\log_x(\sin x)$), 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

   1. Let $u = \log_x(\sin x) = \dfrac{\ln \sin x}{\ln x}$, so $y = u^x$.
   2. Take logs: $\ln y = x\ln u$.
   3. Differentiate: $\dfrac{y'}{y} = \ln u + x\cdot\dfrac{u'}{u}$.
   4. Compute $u'$: with $u=\dfrac{\ln\sin x}{\ln x}$,

   $u' = \frac{\cot x\cdot \ln x - \ln\sin x\cdot \frac1x}{(\ln x)^2}.$

   5. Then

   $\frac{u'}{u} = \frac{\cot x\cdot\ln x - \frac{\ln\sin x}{x}}{(\ln x)^2}\cdot\frac{\ln x}{\ln\sin x} = \frac{\cot x}{\ln\sin x} - \frac{1}{x\ln x}.$

   6. So $x\cdot\dfrac{u'}{u} = \dfrac{x\cot x}{\ln\sin x} - \dfrac{1}{\ln x}$.
   7. And $\ln u = \ln(\ln\sin x) - \ln(\ln x)$.
   8. Combine:

   $\frac{y'}{y} = \ln(\ln\sin x) - \ln(\ln x) + \frac{x\cot x}{\ln\sin x} - \frac{1}{\ln x},$

   so …

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2. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $x^x y^y = e^e$, then $\left(\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2}\right)_{(e,e)} =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{e}\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)_{(e,e)}$ (B) $\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)_{(e,e)} + \dfrac{1}{e}$ (C) $\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)_{(e,e)} - \dfrac{1}{e}$ (D) $e\left(\dfrac{dy}{dx}\right)_{(e,e)}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Logarithmic differentiation of $x^xy^y=e^e$ twice, evaluated at $(e,e)$, shows the second derivative equals $\frac1e$ times the first derivative there.

   Concept and Intuition

   Expressions like $x^x$ are best handled by taking logs first (since $\log(x^x)=x\log x$ is much easier to differentiate than $x^x$ directly). Implicit differentiation then relates $y'$ and $y''$ through the resulting equation.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Take log: $x\log x + y\log y = \log(e^e) = e$ (a constant).
   2. Differentiate w.r.t. $x$: $(\log x+1) + (\log y+1)y' = 0$.
   3. Solve: $y' = -\dfrac{\log x+1}{\log y+1}$. At $(e,e)$: $\log e=1$, so $y'=-\dfrac{2}{2}=-1$.
   4. Differentiate the relation $(\log x+1)+(\log y+1)y'=0$ again w.r.t. $x$: $\dfrac1x + \dfrac{(y')^2}{y} + (\log y+1)y'' = 0$. …

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3. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y=(\tan x)^{\sin x}$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=$ (A) $(\tan x)^{\sin x}\{\sec x+(\cos x)(\log(\tan x))\}$ (B) $(\sin x)^{\tan x}\{\sec x+(\cos x)(\log(\tan x))\}$ (C) $(\tan x)^{\sin x}\{\sec x-(\cos x)(\log(\tan x))\}$ (D) $(\sin x)^{\tan x}\{\sec x-(\cos x)(\log(\tan x))\}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Logarithmic differentiation of $y=(\tan x)^{\sin x}$ gives $y' = (\tan x)^{\sin x}\{\sec x+\cos x\log(\tan x)\}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Whenever both the base and the exponent are functions of $x$ (here base $\tan x$, exponent $\sin x$), 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

   1. $y=(\tan x)^{\sin x}$. Take $\log$: $\log y = \sin x \cdot \log(\tan x)$.
   2. Differentiate both sides w.r.t. $x$ using the product rule on the right: $\dfrac{1}{y}\dfrac{dy}{dx} = \cos x \cdot \log(\tan x) + \sin x \cdot \dfrac{1}{\tan x}\cdot \sec^2 x$.
   3. Simplify the second term: $\sin x \cdot \dfrac{\sec^2 x}{\tan x} = \sin x \cdot \dfrac{1}{\cos^2 x}\cdot\dfrac{\cos x}{\sin x} = \dfrac{1}{\cos x} = \sec x$.
   4. So $\dfrac1y \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \cos x\,\log(\tan x) + \sec x$. …

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4. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\dfrac{y}{x}\cos^4\alpha + \dfrac{x}{y}\sin^4\alpha = 2\sin^2\alpha \cdot \cos^2\alpha$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\sin^3\alpha \cos\alpha$ (B) $\sin^2\alpha \cos^2\alpha$ (C) $\dfrac{\sin^2\alpha}{\cos^2\alpha}$ (D) $\sin\alpha \cos^3\alpha$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The given relation is secretly a perfect square in disguise; it forces $y=x\tan^2\alpha$, so $dy/dx=\tan^2\alpha$.

   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

   1. Start from $\dfrac{y}{x}\cos^4\alpha+\dfrac{x}{y}\sin^4\alpha = 2\sin^2\alpha\cos^2\alpha$.
   2. Multiply both sides by $xy$: $y^2\cos^4\alpha + x^2\sin^4\alpha = 2xy\sin^2\alpha\cos^2\alpha$.
   3. Rearrange: $y^2\cos^4\alpha - 2xy\sin^2\alpha\cos^2\alpha + x^2\sin^4\alpha = 0$.
   4. This is $(y\cos^2\alpha - x\sin^2\alpha)^2 = 0$, so $y\cos^2\alpha = x\sin^2\alpha$, i.e. $y = x\tan^2\alpha$. …

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5. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y = \log_y x$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ ______ (A) $\dfrac{1}{x\log y}$ (B) $\dfrac{\log y}{x(1+\log y)}$ (C) $\dfrac{1}{x(1+\log y)}$ (D) $\dfrac{1}{1+\log y}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Rewriting $y=\log_y x$ as $y\ln y=\ln x$ and differentiating implicitly gives $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{x(1+\log y)}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   $\log_y x$ means "logarithm of $x$ to base $y$", i.e. $\dfrac{\ln x}{\ln y}$. So the given relation $y=\log_y x$ really means $y=\dfrac{\ln x}{\ln y}$, or equivalently $y\ln y=\ln x$ — a cleaner form to differentiate implicitly, since it avoids a quotient with $y$ in both places.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $y=\log_y x=\dfrac{\ln x}{\ln y} \Rightarrow y\ln y=\ln x$.
   2. Differentiate both sides with respect to $x$, treating $y$ as a function of $x$:

   $\frac{d}{dx}(y\ln y)=\frac{d}{dx}(\ln x)$

   3. LHS (product rule): $\dfrac{dy}{dx}\ln y+y\cdot\dfrac{1}{y}\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{dy}{dx}(\ln y+1)$.
   4. RHS: $\dfrac1x$.
   5. So $\dfrac{dy}{dx}(\ln y+1)=\dfrac1x \Rightarrow \dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{x(1+\ln y)}=\dfrac{1}{x(1+\log y)}$. …

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6. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-10-05-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $y^{y^{y^{\cdot^{\cdot^{\cdot^{\infty}}}}}} = \log\{x + \log\{x + \cdots\}\}$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx}$ at $x = e^2 - 2$, $y = \sqrt{2}$ equals _____ (A) $\dfrac{\log 2}{2\sqrt{2}(e^2 - 1)}$ (B) $\dfrac{1 - \log 2}{2\sqrt{2}(e^2 - 1)}$ (C) $\dfrac{\sqrt{2}(1 - \log 2)}{e^2 - 1}$ (D) $\dfrac{\log 2}{\sqrt{2}(e^2 - 1)}$

   ›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 $y^{y^{y^{\cdots}}}=u$ satisfies the self-consistency equation $u=y^u$ (the tower "regenerates" itself). Likewise the infinite nested logarithm $\log\{x+\log\{x+\cdots\}\}=u$ 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

   1. Verify $u=2$ at the given point. Nested log: $u=\log(x+u)$ at $x=e^2-2$: try $u=2$: $\log(e^2-2+2)=\log(e^2)=2$ ✓. Tower: $u=y^u$ at $y=\sqrt2$: try $u=2$: $(\sqrt2)^2=2$ ✓. Both consistent with $u=2$.
   2. Differentiate the tower relation $u=y^u$ w.r.t. $y$. Take $\log$: $\log u = u\log y$. Differentiate: $\dfrac1u\dfrac{du}{dy} = \dfrac{du}{dy}\log y + \dfrac uy$ $\Rightarrow \left(\dfrac1u-\log y\right)\dfrac{du}{dy}=\dfrac uy \Rightarrow \dfrac{du}{dy}=\dfrac{u^2}{y(1-u\log y)}$. At $y=\sqrt2,\ u=2$: $\dfrac{du}{dy}=\dfrac{4}{\sqrt2(1-2\log\sqrt2)}=\dfrac{4}{\sqrt2(1-\ln2)}=\dfrac{2\sqrt2}{1-\ln2}$. …

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7. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $x^2 + y^2 = t - \dfrac{1}{t}$ and $x^4 + y^4 = t^2 + \dfrac{1}{t^2}$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{y}{x}$ (B) $\dfrac{y^2}{x^2}$ (C) $\sqrt{\dfrac{y}{x}}$ (D) $-\dfrac{y}{x}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Eliminating the parameter $t$ between the two given equations produces the direct relation $x^2y^2=-1$ 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

   1. Square the first equation: $(x^2+y^2)^2=\left(t-\dfrac1t\right)^2=t^2-2+\dfrac1{t^2}$, i.e. $x^4+2x^2y^2+y^4=t^2+\dfrac1{t^2}-2$.
   2. The second equation says $x^4+y^4=t^2+\dfrac1{t^2}$. Substitute this in: $\left(t^2+\dfrac1{t^2}\right)+2x^2y^2=t^2+\dfrac1{t^2}-2$.
   3. This forces $2x^2y^2=-2\Rightarrow x^2y^2=-1$ — a $t$-free relation directly linking $x$ and $y$. …

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8. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $(a + \sqrt{2}\,b\cos x)(a - \sqrt{2}\,b\cos y) = a^2 - b^2$ where $a > b > 0$, then at $\left(\dfrac{\pi}{4}, \dfrac{\pi}{4}\right)$, $\dfrac{dy}{dx} =$ (A) $\dfrac{a + b}{a - b}$ (B) $\dfrac{a - b}{a + b}$ (C) $\dfrac{a - 2b}{a + 2b}$ (D) $\dfrac{2a + b}{2a - b}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Expand the product, simplify by dividing by the common factor $b$, then implicitly differentiate and evaluate at $x=y=\pi/4$. Answer: $\dfrac{a-b}{a+b}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   The given relation looks intimidating as a product, but expanding it cancels the $a^2$ on both sides (since the RHS is $a^2-b^2$) and leaves a much simpler equation relating $\cos x,\cos y$, and $\cos x\cos y$. From there it's routine implicit differentiation; the special evaluation point $x=y=\pi/4$ is chosen because $\sin$ and $\cos$ coincide there, which cancels neatly.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Expand: $a^2 - a\sqrt2 b\cos y + a\sqrt2 b\cos x - 2b^2\cos x\cos y = a^2-b^2$.
   2. Cancel $a^2$ from both sides: $\sqrt2 ab(\cos x-\cos y) - 2b^2\cos x\cos y = -b^2$.
   3. Divide through by $b$ (nonzero): $\sqrt2 a(\cos x-\cos y) - 2b\cos x\cos y + b = 0$.
   4. Differentiate implicitly w.r.t. $x$ (treat $y=y(x)$):

   $\sqrt2 a\left(-\sin x + \sin y\cdot y'\right) - 2b\left(-\sin x\cos y - \cos x\sin y\cdot y'\right) = 0.$

   5. Group $y'$ terms: $y'\left(\sqrt2 a\sin y + 2b\cos x\sin y\right) = \sqrt2 a\sin x - 2b\sin x\cos y$.
   6. So $y' = \dfrac{\sin x(\sqrt2 a - 2b\cos y)}{\sin y(\sqrt2 a + 2b\cos x)}$.
   7. At $x=y=\dfrac\pi4$: $\sin x=\sin y=\cos x=\cos y=\dfrac1{\sqrt2}$. Substitute: …

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9. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $3\sin xy + 4\cos xy = 5$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx}$ is equal to ____ (A) $\dfrac{3\sin xy + 4\cos xy}{3\cos xy - 4\sin xy}$ (B) $\dfrac{3\cos xy + 4\sin xy}{4\cos xy - 3\sin xy}$ (C) $\dfrac{-y}{x}$ (D) $\dfrac{x}{y}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Since $3\sin\theta+4\cos\theta$ has maximum value exactly $5$ (as $\sqrt{3^2+4^2}=5$), 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

   $a\sin\theta+b\cos\theta$ always has amplitude $\sqrt{a^2+b^2}$ — here $\sqrt{9+16}=5$. So the equation $3\sin(xy)+4\cos(xy)=5$ 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 $xy=\text{const}$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Note $3^2+4^2=25=5^2$, so $3\sin\theta+4\cos\theta$ has maximum value $5$, attained only when $\theta$ equals the specific angle $\phi=\tan^{-1}(3/4)$ (mod $2\pi$).
   2. The given equation demands $3\sin(xy)+4\cos(xy)=5$, i.e. the maximum — so $xy=\phi$ is fixed, a constant independent of which point on the curve we pick. …

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10. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $x^2+y^2=t+\dfrac{1}{t}$ and $x^4+y^4=t^2+\dfrac{1}{t^2}$, then $x^3 y\dfrac{dy}{dx}=$ (A) -1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 2

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    The two given relations force $x^2y^2=1$ (i.e. $xy$ is constant), from which $x^3y\,dy/dx=-1$.

    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

    1. Square the first relation: $(x^2+y^2)^2=\left(t+\dfrac1t\right)^2=t^2+2+\dfrac{1}{t^2}$, i.e.

    $x^4+2x^2y^2+y^4=t^2+2+\frac{1}{t^2}$

    2. The second given relation is $x^4+y^4=t^2+\dfrac{1}{t^2}$.
    3. Subtract: $2x^2y^2 = \left(t^2+2+\dfrac1{t^2}\right)-\left(t^2+\dfrac1{t^2}\right)=2$, so $x^2y^2=1$.
    4. This means $xy=\pm1$, a constant independent of $t$. Differentiate $xy=\text{const}$ implicitly: …

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11. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $\sqrt{x-xy}+\sqrt{y-xy}=1$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=$ (A) $-\sqrt{\dfrac{y-y^2}{x-x^2}}$ (B) $-\sqrt{\dfrac{1-y^2}{1-x^2}}$ (C) $-\sqrt{\dfrac{1-y}{1-x}}$ (D) $-\sqrt{\dfrac{x-y}{x+y}}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Squaring the constraint reveals that it forces $x+y=1$ identically, so $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-1$ throughout; matching this against the options singles out $-\sqrt{\dfrac{y-y^2}{x-x^2}}$, since it equals $-1$ for every point satisfying $y=1-x$.

    Concept and Intuition

    Rather than blindly grinding through implicit differentiation of two square roots, it pays to first understand the curve itself. Squaring $\sqrt{x-xy}+\sqrt{y-xy}=1$ carefully (using $s=x+y,\,p=xy$) collapses to a perfect square equalling zero, revealing that the relation is nothing but the straight line $x+y=1$. Once we know that, $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-1$ is immediate, and we just need to find which option reduces to $-1$ on this line.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Square the given equation:

    $x(1-y)+y(1-x)+2\sqrt{xy(1-x)(1-y)} = 1$

    $x+y-2xy+2\sqrt{xy(1-x)(1-y)} = 1$

    2. Let $s=x+y,\ p=xy$. Then:

    $2\sqrt{p(1-x)(1-y)} = 1-s+2p$

    Note $(1-x)(1-y)=1-s+p$. Squaring again:

    $4p(1-s+p) = (1-s+2p)^2$

    Let $q=1-s$. Expanding both sides: LHS $=4pq+4p^2$; RHS $=q^2+4pq+4p^2$. So $0=q^2$, i.e. $q=0$, i.e. $s=1$.

    3. Hence $x+y=1$ is forced — the given relation is the line $y=1-x$ (restricted to the domain where the square roots are real, $0\le x,y\le1$).

    4. Differentiating $y=1-x$ directly: $\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-1$.

    5. Check which option gives $-1$ identically along $y=1-x$:

    • (A): $y-y^2=y(1-y)$. Substituting $y=1-x$: $y(1-y)=(1-x)\cdot x=x-x^2$. So the ratio is exactly $1$, and $-\sqrt1=-1$ for every $x$. ✓ …

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12. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $x^2y - xy^2 + x^3 - y^3 = 0$, then $\dfrac{dy}{dx}$ at the point $(1, 1)$ is (A) $1$ (B) $0$ (C) $-1$ (D) Does not exist

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Implicit differentiation of a symmetric cubic curve, evaluated at the point $(1,1)$.

    Concept and Intuition

    When a curve is given implicitly (not solved for $y$), differentiate every term with respect to $x$, treating $y$ as a function of $x$ and applying the product rule wherever $x$ and $y$ appear together. Collecting all the $y'$ terms on one side isolates the slope as a ratio of two expressions in $x,y$.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Differentiate term by term: $\dfrac{d}{dx}(x^2y)=2xy+x^2y'$; $\dfrac{d}{dx}(xy^2)=y^2+2xyy'$; $\dfrac{d}{dx}(x^3)=3x^2$; $\dfrac{d}{dx}(y^3)=3y^2y'$.
    2. So $2xy+x^2y'-y^2-2xyy'+3x^2-3y^2y'=0$.
    3. Collect $y'$ terms: $y'(x^2-2xy-3y^2)=-(2xy-y^2+3x^2)$, i.e. $y'=\dfrac{-(2xy-y^2+3x^2)}{x^2-2xy-3y^2}=\dfrac{y^2-2xy-3x^2}{x^2-2xy-3y^2}$. …

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