Q.If ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c=0, then show that dxdy⋅dydx=1.
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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. …
Concept: Implicit Differentiation & Inverse Function Rule
We treat y as a function of x and x as a function of y — the product of the derivatives must be 1 for any smooth relation.
Step 1: Differentiate the given equation implicitly w.r.t. x:
2ax+2hy+2hxdxdy+2bydxdy+2g+2fdxdy=0
Step 2: Factor out dxdy:
(2hx+2by+2f)dxdy+(2ax+2hy+2g)=0
Thus
dxdy=−hx+by+fax+hy+g
Step 3: Differentiate the original equation implicitly w.r.t. y (treat x as function of y):
2axdydx+2hx+2hydydx+2by+2gdydx+2f=0
Factor dydx: …
For any implicit relation, the derivative dxdy and its reciprocal dydx are multiplicative inverses — their product is always 1, provided neither derivative is zero or undefined. This follows directly from the chain rule and holds regardless of the specific equation.
The problem asks you to show that dxdy⋅dydx=1 for the general second-degree equation ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c=0. At first glance, this might look like a heavy algebraic exercise — but it’s actually a simple conceptual truth in calculus.
The key idea: if y is a function of x (implicitly defined by the equation), then x is also a function of y (locally, where the inverse exists). The derivatives dxdy and dydx are reciprocals of each other. Their product is 1 by definition — no matter how complicated the equation is.
Let’s verify this step by step.
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Differentiate the given equation with respect to x.
Treat y as a function of x. Differentiate term by term:
- dxd(ax2)=2ax
- dxd(2hxy)=2h(y+xdxdy) (product rule)
- dxd(by2)=2bydxdy (chain rule)
- dxd(2gx)=2g
- dxd(2fy)=2fdxdy
- dxd(c)=0
Putting it together:
2ax+2h(y+xdxdy)+2bydxdy+2g+2fdxdy=0
- Collect terms containing dxdy. Group the dxdy terms:
2hxdxdy+2bydxdy+2fdxdy=2dxdy(hx+by+f)
The remaining terms (without dxdy) are:
2ax+2hy+2g
So the equation becomes:
2(ax+hy+g)+2dxdy(hx+by+f)=0
- Solve for dxdy. Divide through by 2:
(ax+hy+g)+dxdy(hx+by+f)=0
Hence:
dxdy=−hx+by+fax+hy+g
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Now differentiate the same equation with respect to y.
This time, treat x as a function of y. Differentiate term by term:
- dyd(ax2)=2axdydx
- dyd(2hxy)=2h(xdydy+ydydx)=2h(x+ydydx)
- dyd(by2)=2by
- dyd(2gx)=2gdydx
- dyd(2fy)=2f
- dyd(c)=0
Collecting:
2axdydx+2h(x+ydydx)+2by+2gdydx+2f=0
- Group dydx terms. Terms with dydx:
2axdydx+2hydydx+2gdydx=2dydx(ax+hy+g)
Remaining terms:
2hx+2by+2f
So:
2dydx(ax+hy+g)+2(hx+by+f)=0 …
Method: The Reciprocal Relationship Between dy/dx and dx/dy
This method proves a general identity — that dxdy⋅dydx=1 for any relation connecting x and y, as long as both derivatives exist and are non-zero. It does not depend on the specific form of the equation.
Steps
Step 1: Differentiate the given relation with respect to x, treating y as a function of x
Apply implicit differentiation term by term (chain rule on every y-term, product rule on any mixed term) to obtain an equation you can solve for dxdy in terms of x and y.
Step 2: Differentiate the same relation with respect to y, treating x as a function of y
This mirrors Step 1: every x-term now picks up a factor of dydx (chain rule), while every y-term differentiates directly. Solve this second equation for dydx.
Step 3: Multiply the two results
dxdy⋅dydx
Because both expressions come from differentiating the same underlying relation — just with the roles of x and y swapped — the algebraic results from Steps 1 and 2 are exact reciprocals of each other, so their product collapses to 1 once simplified. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Skipping the actual derivation and just asserting the reciprocal identity
Some students, knowing that dxdy and dydx are "always reciprocals," skip differentiating the given conic equation entirely and just state the result. Why it's wrong: the question specifically asks you to show this using the given relation — an unsupported assertion earns no method marks even if the final claim is true in general. Correct approach: differentiate the equation once with respect to x (to get dxdy) and once with respect to y (to get dydx), then multiply the two results.
Mistake 2: Not swapping roles correctly when differentiating with respect to y …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- KCET 2026Set UNKNOWN1 markMCQQ.If y=tanx+y, then dxdy= (A) 2y−1secx (B) 2y−1sec2x (C) 2y−1tanx (D) 2y−1sin2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Square both sides to remove the square root, then differentiate implicitly with respect to x.
Step 1 — Remove the square root
y=tanx+y⟹y2=tanx+y
Step 2 — Differentiate implicitly
2ydxdy=sec2x+dxdy
Step 3 — Solve for dxdy …
- KCET 2026Set UNKNOWN1 markMCQQ.If x3y=(x+y)n and xdxdy−y=0, then n= (A) 1 (B) 56 (C) 65 (D) 94
›Reveal solutionSolution
Take logarithms to turn the product/power relation into a linear one, differentiate implicitly, then substitute the given condition xdxdy−y=0.
Step 1 — Take logarithms
x3y=(x+y)n⟹21lnx+31lny=nln(x+y)
Step 2 — Differentiate implicitly
2x1+3y1dxdy=x+yn(1+dxdy)
Step 3 — Substitute the given condition
Given xdxdy=y, i.e. dxdy=xy: …
- CA Foundation 2026Set may-20261 markMCQQ.If xy=yx, then dxdy= ______. (A) x(ylogx−x)y(xlogy−y) (B) x(ylogx−x)y(xlogy+y) (C) x(ylogx+x)y(xlogy−y) (D) y(ylogx−x)x(xlogy−y)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Log-differentiate xy=yx: from ylogx=xlogy you get dxdy=x(ylogx−x)y(xlogy−y).
Step 1 — Take logarithms of both sides
xy=yx ⇒ ylogx=xlogy
Step 2 — Differentiate implicitly with respect to x
Apply the product rule to each side:
y′logx+xy=logy+x⋅yy′
Step 3 — Collect the y′ terms
y′logx−yxy′=logy−xy
y′(logx−yx)=logy−xy
Step 4 — Solve for y′ and tidy the fractions
y′=logx−yxlogy−xy=yylogx−xxxlogy−y=x(ylogx−x)y(xlogy−y) …
- CA Foundation 2025Set sep-20251 markMCQQ.Find dxdy for x2y2+y=0. (A) dxdy=2y2x2+12y2x (B) dxdy=2yx2+1−2y2x (C) dxdy=2y2x2−2y2x+1 (D) dxdy=2y2x22y2x−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Implicit differentiation of x2y2+y=0 gives dxdy=2x2y+1−2xy2.
Step 1 — Differentiate term by term (y depends on x)
For x2y2 use the product rule:
dxd(x2y2)=2xy2+x2⋅2ydxdy=2xy2+2x2ydxdy
and dxd(y)=dxdy.
Step 2 — Assemble the differentiated equation
2xy2+2x2ydxdy+dxdy=0
Step 3 — Collect and solve for dy/dx
dxdy(2x2y+1)=−2xy2
dxdy=2x2y+1−2xy2
Why the other options are wrong: (A) drops the minus sign; (C) and (D) wrongly move the "+1" into the numerator, which happens only if you fail to factor dxdy correctly. …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If x2+y2=t+t1 and x4+y4=t2+t21 then dxdy=
(A) 2yx (B) −xy (C) −2yx (D) xy›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to notice that the given equations imply a simple relation between x and y: x2+y2=t+1/t and x4+y4=t2+1/t2 force x2y2=1. Differentiating implicitly gives dy/dx=−y/x, so the answer is (B).
We start with two parametric-looking equations in x,y,t:
x2+y2=t+t1,x4+y4=t2+t21.
The goal is to find dxdy without needing t explicitly — we want a direct relation between x and y.
1. Spot the algebraic structure
Notice that t2+1/t2 is the square of t+1/t minus 2:
(t+t1)2=t2+2+t21⇒t2+t21=(t+t1)2−2.
So the second equation becomes:
x4+y4=(x2+y2)2−2.
2. Expand and simplify
Expand (x2+y2)2:
(x2+y2)2=x4+2x2y2+y4.
Thus:
x4+y4=x4+2x2y2+y4−2.
Cancel x4+y4 from both sides, leaving:
0=2x2y2−2⇒x2y2=1.
TipThis is the hidden gem: the parameter t cancels completely, leaving a simple hyperbola-like relation x2y2=1, i.e. xy=±1.
3. Differentiate implicitly
From x2y2=1, differentiate both sides with respect to x:
dxd(x2y2)=dxd(1)=0.
Use the product rule (or treat as (x2)(y2)): …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If y=sinx+y then find dxdy at x=0,y=1
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) −1›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation defines y implicitly; we differentiate both sides, substitute x=0,y=1, and solve for dxdy to get 0.
We are given y=sinx+y. This is not an explicit function y(x) in the usual sense because y appears on both sides. The key is to treat it as an implicit relation between x and y. We differentiate both sides with respect to x, remembering that y is a function of x, and then plug in the given point (x=0,y=1) to find the slope.
- Rewrite the equation to avoid the square root for easier differentiation. Square both sides:
y2=sinx+y
This is valid because y=⋯ implies y≥0, and at (0,1) it's fine.
- Differentiate implicitly with respect to x:
dxd(y2)=dxd(sinx)+dxd(y)
Using the chain rule on y2 gives 2ydxdy, and dxd(sinx)=cosx, and dxd(y)=dxdy.
So:
2ydxdy=cosx+dxdy
- Solve for dxdy algebraically. Bring terms involving dxdy to one side:
2ydxdy−dxdy=cosx
Factor out dxdy:
dxdy(2y−1)=cosx
Hence:
dxdy=2y−1cosx
- Substitute the given values x=0, y=1: …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If siny=x(cos(a+y)), then find dxdy when x=0
(A) 1 (B) sec a (C) cos a (D) −1›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate implicitly (easiest via x=siny/cos(a+y)); at x=0,y=0 the derivative reduces to cosa (option C).
Given siny=xcos(a+y). When x=0, siny=0⇒y=0.
Solve for x and differentiate with respect to y:
x=cos(a+y)siny
dydx=cos2(a+y)cosycos(a+y)−siny(−sin(a+y))=cos2(a+y)cosycos(a+y)+sinysin(a+y)
The numerator is cos((a+y)−y)=cosa, so …
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-M1 markMCQQ.The slope of the tangent to the curve, y=x2−xy at (1,21) is (A) 34 (B) 32 (C) 43 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
Implicit differentiation of y=x2−xy gives a slope of 3/4 at the point (1,21).
Differentiate y=x2−xy with respect to x (product rule on xy):
dxdy=2x−(y+xdxdy).
Collect the derivative terms:
dxdy+xdxdy=2x−y⇒dxdy(1+x)=2x−y⇒dxdy=1+x2x−y. …
- KCET 2022Set C-41 markMCQQ.If x=eθsinθ, y=eθcosθ where θ is a parameter, then dxdy at (1, 1) is equal to (A) 21 (B) −21 (C) −41 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ; at the point (1,1) we have sinθ=cosθ, which kills the numerator, so the derivative is 0.
Step 1 — Why parametric differentiation
Both x and y are given in terms of a third variable θ, not of each other. The chain rule then gives
dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ(dθdx=0)
Step 2 — Differentiate each with the product rule
x=eθsinθ⇒dθdx=eθsinθ+eθcosθ=eθ(sinθ+cosθ)
y=eθcosθ⇒dθdy=eθcosθ−eθsinθ=eθ(cosθ−sinθ)
Step 3 — Form the ratio
dxdy=eθ(sinθ+cosθ)eθ(cosθ−sinθ)=cosθ+sinθcosθ−sinθ
The factor eθ (never zero) cancels — this is the whole point of taking eθ common.
Step 4 — Impose the condition of the point (1,1)
At that point x=y, so …
- COMEDK 2022Set 20221 markMCQQ.If the tangent to the curve xy+ax+by=0 at (1, 1) is inclined at an angle tan−12 with X-axis, then (A) a=1,b=2 (B) a=1,b=−2 (C) a=−1,b=2 (D) a=−1,b=−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Check: curve xy + x - 2y = 0 through (1,1): 1 + 1 - 2 = 0. Slope = -(1+1)/(1-2) = -2/-1 = 2. Correct.
Concept: Implicit differentiation + slope of tangent = tan(theta).
Curve: xy + ax + by = 0 passes through (1,1):
1*1 + a(1) + b(1) = 0 => a + b = -1 ... (i)
Differentiate implicitly:
y + x y' + a + b y' = 0
y'(x + b) = -(y + a)
y' = -(y + a)/(x + b)
At (1,1): y' = -(1 + a)/(1 + b)
The tangent is inclined at angle arctan(2), so slope = 2:
-(1 + a)/(1 + b) = 2
From (i), b = -1 - a, so 1 + b = -a. Substituting: …
- KCET 2021Set A-11 markMCQQ.For constant a, dxd(xx+xa+ax+aa) is (A) xx(1+logx)+axa−1 (B) xx(1+logx)+axa−1+axloga (C) xx(1+logx)+aa(1+logx) (D) xx(1+logx)+aa(1+loga)+axa−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate each term separately using the appropriate rule — power rule, exponential rule, and the special logarithmic differentiation for xx. The derivative is xx(1+logx)+axa−1+axloga, which matches option (B).
The key is to recognise that a is a constant, so xa and ax are standard forms, while xx requires logarithmic differentiation. The term aa is just a constant and differentiates to zero.
- Differentiate xx Write y=xx. Take logs: logy=xlogx. Differentiate both sides:
y1dxdy=logx+x⋅x1=logx+1
So dxdy=y(1+logx)=xx(1+logx).
- Differentiate xa Here a is a constant exponent. Use the power rule:
dxdxa=axa−1
- Differentiate ax Here a is a constant base. Use the exponential rule:
dxdax=axloga
-
Differentiate aa
Since a is constant, aa is a constant number. Its derivative is zero.
-
Add all the derivatives …
- COMEDK 2021Set 20211 markMCQQ.The equation of normal to the curve y=(1+x)y+sin−1(sin2x) at x=0 is (A) x+y=1 (B) x−y=1 (C) x+y=−1 (D) x−y=−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Step 3 - the normal. Slope of tangent m = 1 -> slope of normal = -1/m = -1. Normal through (0, 1): y - 1 = -1 (x - 0) y - 1 = -x x + y = 1
Concept: Equation of the normal - find the point, find dy/dx (implicit differentiation), then normal slope = -1/(dy/dx).
Curve: y = (1 + x)^y + sin^(-1)(sin^2 x)
Step 1 - the point at x = 0:
y = (1 + 0)^y + sin^(-1)(sin^2 0) = 1 + sin^(-1)(0) = 1 + 0 = 1
So the point is (0, 1).
Step 2 - differentiate.
Let u = (1 + x)^y. Then log u = y log(1 + x), and
(1/u) du/dx = y' log(1 + x) + y/(1 + x)
du/dx = (1 + x)^y [ y' log(1 + x) + y/(1 + x) ]
At x = 0, y = 1: (1+0)^1 = 1, log(1) = 0, so du/dx | 0 = 1 * [ y'(0) + 1/1 ] = 1.
(The y' log(1+x) term vanishes because log 1 = 0.)
For the second term, v = sin^(-1)(sin^2 x): …
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