Q.Find dxdy in the following: x=cosθ−cos2θ,y=sinθ−sin2θ
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →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. …
We are given two parametric equations in θ, so we use the chain rule:
dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ
First, differentiate each with respect to θ:
dθdx=−sinθ+2sin2θ
dθdy=cosθ−2cos2θ
Therefore, …
For parametric equations, dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ. Here, after differentiating and simplifying using trigonometric identities, the derivative is dxdy=−sinθ+2sin2θcosθ−2cos2θ.
When you see x and y both given in terms of a third variable (here θ), you’re looking at a parametric curve. The question asks for dxdy — the slope of the curve at any point. But you can’t directly differentiate y with respect to x because they aren’t written as y=f(x). Instead, you use the chain rule in a clever way.
The core idea:
If x=f(θ) and y=g(θ), then
dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ
provided dx/dθ=0. This works because dy/dθ=(dy/dx)⋅(dx/dθ) by the chain rule, so you just divide through.
Let’s apply it step by step.
- Differentiate x with respect to θ x=cosθ−cos2θ The derivative of cosθ is −sinθ. The derivative of cos2θ is −sin2θ⋅2=−2sin2θ (chain rule). So:
dθdx=−sinθ−(−2sin2θ)=−sinθ+2sin2θ
- Differentiate y with respect to θ y=sinθ−sin2θ Derivative of sinθ is cosθ. Derivative of sin2θ is cos2θ⋅2=2cos2θ. So:
dθdy=cosθ−2cos2θ
- Form the ratio …
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: Forgetting the factor of 2 from the multiple-angle terms.
Why it's wrong: dθdcos2θ=−2sin2θ and dθdsin2θ=2cos2θ — omitting the 2 gives a derivative exactly half the correct size. Correct approach: apply the chain rule to every 2θ term individually, don't just copy the single-angle derivative pattern.
Mistake 2: Sign error from the leading minus sign in x=cosθ−cos2θ. …
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 …
- 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 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. …
- 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 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: …
- 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 …
- 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. …
- 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): …
- 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 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. …
- 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 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). …
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