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Q.If e−x+e−y=2e^{-x} + e^{-y} = 2, then dydx\frac{dy}{dx} is (A) ex−ye^{x-y} (B) ey−xe^{y-x} (C) −ex−y-e^{x-y} (D) −ey−x-e^{y-x}

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To find dydx\frac{dy}{dx} for an implicitly defined function, we differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to xx, treating yy as a function of xx and applying the chain rule. The result is −ey−x\boxed{-e^{y-x}}.

When an equation relates xx and yy but does not explicitly express yy as a function of xx (like y=f(x)y = f(x)), we use a technique called implicit differentiation to find dydx\frac{dy}{dx}. The core idea is that even though yy isn't isolated, it is still a function of xx.

This means that when we differentiate a term involving yy with respect to xx, we must apply the chain rule. For example, if we differentiate g(y)g(y) with respect to xx, we get ddx[g(y)]=g′(y)⋅dydx\frac{d}{dx}[g(y)] = g'(y) \cdot \frac{dy}{dx}. This dydx\frac{dy}{dx} term is crucial and often the source of errors if overlooked.

Let's apply this to the given equation.

  1. Differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to xx. The given equation is e−x+e−y=2e^{-x} + e^{-y} = 2. We apply the derivative operator ddx\frac{d}{dx} to every term:

ddx(e−x)+ddx(e−y)=ddx(2)\frac{d}{dx}(e^{-x}) + \frac{d}{dx}(e^{-y}) = \frac{d}{dx}(2)

  1. Evaluate each derivative.
    • For the first term, ddx(e−x)\frac{d}{dx}(e^{-x}):

      Using the chain rule, if u=−xu = -x, then dudx=−1\frac{du}{dx} = -1.

      So, ddx(e−x)=e−x⋅ddx(−x)=e−x⋅(−1)=−e−x\frac{d}{dx}(e^{-x}) = e^{-x} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(-x) = e^{-x} \cdot (-1) = -e^{-x}.

    • For the second term, ddx(e−y)\frac{d}{dx}(e^{-y}):

      This is where implicit differentiation comes in. We treat yy as a function of xx.

      Using the chain rule, if v=−yv = -y, then dvdx=ddx(−y)=−1⋅dydx\frac{dv}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx}(-y) = -1 \cdot \frac{dy}{dx}.

      So, ddx(e−y)=e−y⋅ddx(−y)=e−y⋅(−dydx)=−e−ydydx\frac{d}{dx}(e^{-y}) = e^{-y} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(-y) = e^{-y} \cdot \left(-\frac{dy}{dx}\right) = -e^{-y} \frac{dy}{dx}.

      Watch out

      A common mistake is to forget the dydx\frac{dy}{dx} term when differentiating expressions involving yy with respect to xx. Remember, yy is a function of xx.

    • For the right-hand side, ddx(2)\frac{d}{dx}(2): …

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