Q.Find dxdy in the following: x=sint,y=cos2t
Concept understanding — Implicit Differentiation
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 classic mistake is dropping the dxdy factor — writing dxd(y2)=2y treats y as if it were x. If a term contains y and you are differentiating with respect to x, the chain rule always applies.
Implicit differentiation is not a new rule; it is the chain rule used systematically whenever y is tangled up with x.
Implicit differentiation is a named subtopic of the NCERT Class 12 Continuity and Differentiability chapter and shows up regularly in CBSE board 'find dy/dx' questions involving equations like x² + y² = 25 that can't easily be solved for y. Students searching 'implicit differentiation class 12 examples' or preparing this technique for JEE Main will recognize this as simply the chain rule applied systematically to every y-term.
Concept: Parametric Differentiation — when both x and y are given in terms of a third variable t, we use dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt.
First, differentiate each with respect to t:
dtdx=cost,dtdy=−2sin2t
Now apply the chain rule:
dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt=cost−2sin2t
Use the identity sin2t=2sintcost to simplify:
dxdy=cost−2(2sintcost)=−4sint
The derivative is −4sint.
For parametric equations x=sint, y=cos2t, we use dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt to get dxdy=−4sint.
Why parametric differentiation works
When x and y are both given in terms of a third variable t, we cannot directly write y as a function of x — and we don't need to. The chain rule gives us a clean way:
dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt, provided dx/dt=0.
Think of it this way: a small change in t causes a small change in both x and y. The ratio of those changes (as dt→0) is exactly the derivative we want.
Step-by-step solution
1. Differentiate x with respect to t
x=sint
dtdx=cost
2. Differentiate y with respect to t
y=cos2t
Using the chain rule: dtdy=−sin(2t)⋅2=−2sin2t
You can also use the double-angle identity sin2t=2sintcost to rewrite −2sin2t=−4sintcost. This will simplify nicely later.
3. Apply the parametric derivative formula
dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt=cost−2sin2t
4. Simplify using the identity sin2t=2sintcost
dxdy=cost−2(2sintcost)=cost−4sintcost
5. Cancel cost (provided cost=0, i.e., t=2π+nπ)
dxdy=−4sint
A common mistake is to forget the chain rule when differentiating cos2t — the derivative is −2sin2t, not −sin2t. Also, never cancel cost without noting where it is zero; those points correspond to vertical tangents where dx/dt=0.
The derivative is dxdy=−4sint.
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
Parametric answers built from sin,cos of the parameter very often simplify with a double-angle or half-angle identity (sin2θ=2sinθcosθ, 1−cosθ=2sin22θ, 1+cosθ=2cos22θ, etc.) — always look for one before leaving the answer as a raw ratio.
Applying to this problem: with x=sint, y=cos2t, the inner derivative of cos2t carries a chain-rule factor of 2 (giving −2sin2t), and the double-angle identity sin2t=2sintcost then cancels the cost in the denominator cleanly, leaving a one-variable answer in t alone.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the chain-rule factor of 2 on cos2t.
Why it's wrong: dtdcos2t=−2sin2t, not −sin2t — the inner function 2t has derivative 2, which must be multiplied in. Correct approach: always write the chain rule explicitly for a multiple angle before simplifying.
Mistake 2: Cancelling cost without excluding where it vanishes.
Why it's wrong: the simplification cost−2sin2t=−4sint is only valid for cost=0, i.e. t=2π+nπ — those points are exactly where dx/dt=0. Correct approach: state the domain restriction alongside the simplified answer.
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- 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
eθsinθ=eθcosθ⇒sinθ=cosθ
We do not need the actual value of θ — only this relation. Substituting it into Step 3:
dxdy=cosθ+sinθcosθ−sinθ=2cosθ0=0
(The denominator cosθ+sinθ=2cosθ=0, since cosθ=0 would force sinθ=0 too, impossible.)
Step 5 — Interpret
dxdy=0 means the tangent to the curve at (1,1) is horizontal.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 0.
ANSWER: D
- 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)):
2x⋅y2+x2⋅2ydxdy=0.
Factor 2:
2xy2+2x2ydxdy=0.
Divide through by 2xy (valid since x=0,y=0 from x2y2=1):
1y+xdxdy=0⇒xdxdy=−y.
Thus:
dxdy=−xy.
4. Match with options
This matches option (B).
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the minus sign or to confuse dy/dx with dx/dy. Always check: if x2y2=1, then y=±1/x, so dy/dx=∓1/x2=−y/x indeed.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- 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:
-(1 + a)/(-a) = 2 => (1 + a)/a = 2 => 1 + a = 2a => a = 1
then b = -1 - 1 = -2
Check: curve xy + x - 2y = 0 through (1,1): 1 + 1 - 2 = 0. Slope = -(1+1)/(1-2) = -2/-1 = 2. Correct.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — a=1,b=−2
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If y=sinx+y, then dy/dx = (A) 2y−1cosx (B) 1−2ycosx (C) cosx2y−1 (D) cosx1−2y
›Reveal solutionSolution
dxdy=2y−1cosx.
Given y=sinx+y, square both sides: y2=sinx+y.
Differentiate implicitly w.r.t. x:
2ydxdy=cosx+dxdy⟹(2y−1)dxdy=cosx.
Hence dxdy=2y−1cosx.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 2y−1cosx
- 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.
Substitute x=1, y=21:
dxdy=1+12(1)−21=223=43.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 43
- 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:
dxdy(0,1)=2(1)−1cos0=2−11=11=1
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that y is a function of x when differentiating the y inside the square root. If you differentiate sinx+y directly, you must apply the chain rule to the y term as well — but the implicit method above avoids that pitfall cleanly.
TipThe step of squaring both sides is safe here because the original equation defines y as the positive square root, so y≥0. At the point (0,1), this holds, and the squared equation is equivalent locally.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.If (xe)y=ex, then dxdy is (A) (1+logx)2logx (B) (1+logx)21 (C) (1+logx)logx (D) x(y−1)ex
›Reveal solutionSolution
Logarithmic differentiation: take log of both sides to free y from the exponent, solve for y explicitly, then differentiate.
Step 1 — Take natural logarithms (why: y sits in an exponent, and log brings it down).
(xe)y=ex⟹ylog(xe)=xloge=x.
Step 2 — Simplify log(xe).
log(xe)=logx+loge=logx+1.
So
y(1+logx)=x⟹y=1+logxx.
Step 3 — Differentiate with the quotient rule.
With u=x,v=1+logx, we have u′=1 and v′=x1:
dxdy=v2vu′−uv′=(1+logx)2(1+logx)(1)−x⋅x1.
Step 4 — Simplify.
dxdy=(1+logx)21+logx−1=(1+logx)2logx.
Check at x=1: then y=1/(1+0)=1 and the formula gives dxdy=0. Implicitly, y(1+logx)=x differentiates to y′(1+logx)+y/x=1; at x=1,y=1: y′(1)+1=1⇒y′=0. ✓ Consistent.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — (1+logx)2logx.
ANSWER: A
- 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
dydx=cos2(a+y)cosa⟹dxdy=cosacos2(a+y)
Evaluating at x=0,y=0:
dxdy=cosacos2a=cosa
✓Final answerdxdyx=0=cosa — option (C).
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.If the curves 2x=y2 and 2xy=K intersect perpendicularly, then the value of K2 is (A) 4 (B) 22 (C) 2 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate each curve implicitly to get its slope at the common point, impose m1m2=−1, and solve for the intersection — then read off K.
Step 1 — Slope of the parabola 2x=y2.
Differentiate implicitly w.r.t. x:
2=2ydxdy⟹m1=dxdy=y1.
Step 2 — Slope of the hyperbola 2xy=K.
Differentiate implicitly (product rule):
2(y+xdxdy)=0⟹m2=dxdy=−xy.
Step 3 — Impose orthogonality (why: two curves cut at right angles ⟺ the product of their tangent slopes at the common point is −1).
m1m2=−1⟹(y1)(−xy)=−1⟹−x1=−1⟹x=1.
Step 4 — Find y at that point, from the parabola.
y2=2x=2⟹y=±2.
Step 5 — Get K and then K2.
The point (1,±2) must also lie on 2xy=K:
K=2(1)(±2)=±22⟹K2=(22)2=4×2=8.
The question asks for K2 precisely because K itself is sign-ambiguous, while K2=8 is unique.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 8.
ANSWER: D
- 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):
dv/dx = (2 sin x cos x) / sqrt(1 - sin^4 x)
At x = 0: sin 0 = 0, so dv/dx | 0 = 0.
Therefore y'(0) = du/dx + dv/dx = 1 + 0 = 1.
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
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — x+y=1
ANSWER: A
- 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
dxd(xx+xa+ax+aa)=xx(1+logx)+axa−1+axloga+0
Watch outA common mistake is to treat xx as x⋅xx−1 (like a power rule) or as xxlogx (like an exponential rule). Neither works — xx has the variable in both base and exponent, so logarithmic differentiation is necessary.
TipNotice that aa is a red herring — it's constant, so it contributes nothing. Many students waste time trying to differentiate it.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.The curve y−exy+x=0 has a vertical tangent at the point (A) (e, 0) (B) (1, 1) (C) (1, 0) (D) (0, 1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Vertical tangent occurs where xexy=1; the point (1,0) satisfies both the curve and this condition.
Curve: y−exy+x=0. Differentiate implicitly:
dxdy−exy(y+xdxdy)+1=0.
Collect terms:
dxdy(1−xexy)=yexy−1⇒dxdy=1−xexyyexy−1.
A vertical tangent requires the denominator =0: xexy=1 (with numerator =0).
Test (1,0): on curve? 0−e0+1=0−1+1=0 ✓. Condition: 1⋅e0=1 ✓, and numerator =0−1=−1=0. Vertical tangent confirmed.
(Point (0,1) is also on the curve but gives xexy=0, a horizontal tangent; (e,0) and (1,1) are not on the curve.)
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — (1, 0)
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.