Q.Find the second order derivative of the function: x20
Concept understanding — Successive Differentiation
Successive Differentiation — Repeated Slopes
Differentiate a function, then differentiate the result, then differentiate that, and so on. Each pass produces a new function describing a deeper layer of change. The physics picture makes it concrete: position → velocity (1st derivative) → acceleration (2nd) → jerk (3rd). Every step asks the same question: "how does the previous rate of change itself change?"
The definition and notation
If y=f(x), its successive derivatives are written y1,y2,…,yn, equivalently f′(x),f′′(x),…,f(n)(x) or dxdy,dx2d2y,…,dxndny. Each one is the derivative of the previous:
dxndny=dxd(dxn−1dn−1y).
| Order | Leibniz | Lagrange | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | dxdy | f′(x) | y˙ |
| 2nd | dx2d2y | f′′(x) | y¨ |
| nth | dxndny | f(n)(x) | — |
Seeing the pattern
Take y=x4: y1=4x3,y2=12x2,y3=24x,y4=24,y5=0. Each differentiation drops the degree by one, so a degree-n polynomial has a constant nth derivative and vanishing higher ones. Other families behave differently: eax never dies out (dxndneax=aneax), and sinx cycles every four steps (sin→cos→−sin→−cos).
Power rule applied n times: dxndn(xm)=m(m−1)⋯(m−n+1)xm−n for n≤m.
dx2d2y is not (dxdy)2 — a second derivative is not the square of the first derivative.
Why it matters
Higher derivatives power the second-derivative test for maxima and minima, Taylor and Maclaurin expansions, Leibniz's theorem for the nth derivative of a product, and differential equations such as F=ma (a second derivative of position).
Successive (higher-order) differentiation is its own named section in the NCERT Class 12 Continuity and Differentiability chapter, and finding a general nth-derivative pattern for polynomials, exponentials or sine is a recurring CBSE board and JEE Main question type. Students searching 'successive differentiation class 12 examples' or 'nth derivative formula' will recognize this repeated-differentiation notation (y₁, y₂, ..., yₙ) as the standard exam convention.
Differentiate x20 twice using the power rule dxdxn=nxn−1 — this is successive (repeated) differentiation.
First derivative:
dxdy=20x19
Second derivative — differentiate the result again:
dx2d2y=20⋅19x18=380x18
dx2d2y=380x18
Applying the power rule twice to x20 gives dx2d2y=380x18.
A second-order derivative just means we differentiate, then differentiate the result again. For a pure power of x the only tool we need is the power rule, dxdxn=nxn−1 — no chain rule, no product rule.
Step 1 — First derivative
For y=x20,
dxdy=20x20−1=20x19.
Step 2 — Second derivative
Now differentiate 20x19. The constant 20 stays put; apply the power rule to x19:
dx2d2y=20⋅19x19−1=20⋅19x18.
Step 3 — Simplify
Since 20×19=380,
dx2d2y=380x18.
In one shot, dx2d2xn=n(n−1)xn−2. With n=20: 20⋅19=380 and the exponent drops to 18.
dx2d2y=380x18
Method: Successive Differentiation of a Power Function
This method finds a second (or higher) order derivative of a pure power xn by applying the power rule repeatedly, one order at a time.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the function type and the order of derivative required
Check whether the expression is a pure power of x (possibly with a constant coefficient). For a pure power, no chain rule, product rule, or quotient rule is needed — only the power rule, applied as many times as the required order.
dxd(xn)=nxn−1
Step 2: Differentiate once to get the first derivative
Apply the power rule to the original function to obtain y1=dxdy. This reduces the exponent by 1 and multiplies by the original exponent.
Step 3: Differentiate the result again for the second derivative
Treat y1 as a new function and apply the power rule to it directly — differentiate the coefficient-power expression, not the original function. This gives y2=dx2d2y.
Step 4: Simplify the constant multiplier
Multiply out any numerical coefficients that arise from repeated application (e.g., n(n−1)) and leave the answer as a single coefficient times a power of x. For higher orders, keep repeating Steps 2–3, tracking how the exponent decreases and the coefficient grows by successive multiplication.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Stopping after computing only the first derivative
Why it's wrong: the question asks for the second order derivative, but 20x19 is only an intermediate step. Correct approach: always re-read what order is asked, and explicitly differentiate the first-derivative expression once more before writing the final answer.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to multiply the existing coefficient into the new one
Why it's wrong: when differentiating 20x19, both the coefficient 20 and the exponent 19 must be multiplied together (giving 380) — some students only bring down the exponent and forget to multiply it by the coefficient already present. Correct approach: apply the power rule to the whole term as 20⋅19x18, not just x18.
Mistake 3: Confusing dx2d2y with (dxdy)2
Why it's wrong: squaring the first derivative gives a completely different (and wrong) expression — the second derivative is the derivative of the derivative, not its square. Correct approach: always compute the second derivative by differentiating the first-derivative expression again, never by squaring it.
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] The second derivative of sin3xcos5x is:
(A) 2sin2x+32sin8x (B) 2sin2x+16sin8x (C) 2sin2x−16sin8x (D) 2sin2x−32sin8x›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to rewrite the product sin3xcos5x as a sum using a product-to-sum identity, then differentiate twice. The second derivative simplifies to 2sin2x−32sin8x, which matches option (D).
We start with the function f(x)=sin3xcos5x. Differentiating a product of trig functions directly would involve the product rule twice, which is messy. Instead, we use a trigonometric identity to turn the product into a sum — this makes differentiation straightforward.
Concept & Intuition:
The product-to-sum identity for sine and cosine is:
sinAcosB=21[sin(A+B)+sin(A−B)].
This converts a product into a sum of two sine functions, each of which is easy to differentiate. After that, we just take the second derivative term by term.
Step-by-step solution:
- Rewrite the product as a sum. Let A=3x and B=5x. Then:
sin3xcos5x=21[sin(3x+5x)+sin(3x−5x)]=21[sin8x+sin(−2x)].
Since sin(−θ)=−sinθ, we have:
sin3xcos5x=21(sin8x−sin2x).
- Find the first derivative. Differentiate term by term:
f′(x)=21(8cos8x−2cos2x)=4cos8x−cos2x.
- Find the second derivative. Differentiate f′(x):
f′′(x)=4⋅(−8sin8x)−(−2sin2x)=−32sin8x+2sin2x.
Rearranging:
f′′(x)=2sin2x−32sin8x.
- Match with the options. This expression is exactly option (D).
Watch outA common mistake is forgetting the chain rule when differentiating sin8x and sin2x, or mishandling the sign from sin(−2x). Always check that the derivative of sin(kx) is kcos(kx), and that sin(−θ)=−sinθ is applied correctly.
TipUsing product-to-sum identities early saves time and reduces errors — especially when the second derivative is required. For products like sin(ax)cos(bx), this is almost always the cleanest path.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.If logy=log(sinx)−x2, then dx2d2y+4xdxdy+4x2y= (A) −2y (B) −3y (C) 3y (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to first solve for y explicitly, then compute its first and second derivatives, and substitute into the given expression. The result simplifies to −3y, so the correct option is (B).
We start with
logy=log(sinx)−x2.
Exponentiating both sides (using base e) gives
y=elog(sinx)−x2=elog(sinx)⋅e−x2=sinx⋅e−x2.
So y=e−x2sinx. This is a product of an exponential decay and a sine wave — a classic damped oscillation.
Now we need dx2d2y+4xdxdy+4x2y.
- First derivative Using the product rule:
dxdy=e−x2cosx+sinx⋅(−2xe−x2)=e−x2(cosx−2xsinx).
- Second derivative Differentiate dxdy again, again using product rule on e−x2 times (cosx−2xsinx):
dx2d2y=e−x2⋅dxd(cosx−2xsinx)+(cosx−2xsinx)⋅(−2xe−x2).
Compute the derivative inside:
dxd(cosx)=−sinx,
dxd(−2xsinx)=−2sinx−2xcosx.
So together:
dxd(cosx−2xsinx)=−sinx−2sinx−2xcosx=−3sinx−2xcosx.
Thus
dx2d2y=e−x2(−3sinx−2xcosx)−2xe−x2(cosx−2xsinx).
Factor e−x2:
dx2d2y=e−x2[−3sinx−2xcosx−2xcosx+4x2sinx].
Simplify:
dx2d2y=e−x2(−3sinx−4xcosx+4x2sinx).
- Now form the expression We have:
dx2d2y+4xdxdy+4x2y.
Substitute each term:
- dx2d2y=e−x2(−3sinx−4xcosx+4x2sinx)
- 4xdxdy=4x⋅e−x2(cosx−2xsinx)=e−x2(4xcosx−8x2sinx)
- 4x2y=4x2⋅e−x2sinx=e−x2(4x2sinx)
Add them:
e−x2[(−3sinx−4xcosx+4x2sinx)+(4xcosx−8x2sinx)+(4x2sinx)].
-
Simplify inside the brackets
- sinx terms: −3sinx+4x2sinx−8x2sinx+4x2sinx=−3sinx+(4−8+4)x2sinx=−3sinx+0.
- cosx terms: −4xcosx+4xcosx=0.
So the whole expression becomes:
e−x2(−3sinx)=−3⋅e−x2sinx=−3y.
Thus the expression simplifies to −3y.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the chain rule when differentiating e−x2 or to mishandle the product rule for the second derivative. Keeping the factor e−x2 throughout avoids sign errors.
TipNotice how the 4xcosx and 4x2sinx terms cancel beautifully — this is a designed cancellation, typical in such problems. Always look for patterns that simplify.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.If y=(sin−1x)2+(cos−1x)2, then (1−x2)dx2d2y−xdxdy= (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 0 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating twice gives the identity (1−x2)y′′−xy′=4.
Let y=(sin−1x)2+(cos−1x)2. Then
y′=1−x22sin−1x−1−x22cos−1x=1−x22(sin−1x−cos−1x).
Multiply through by 1−x2:
1−x2y′=2(sin−1x−cos−1x).
Differentiate both sides. The left side gives −1−x2xy′+1−x2y′′; the right side gives 2(1−x21+1−x21)=1−x24. So
−1−x2xy′+1−x2y′′=1−x24.
Multiplying by 1−x2:
(1−x2)y′′−xy′=4.
✓Final answer(1−x2)dx2d2y−xdxdy=4, which is option (D).
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.If y=x+ex then dy2d2x= (A) ex (B) (1+ex)2−ex (C) (1+ex)3−ex (D) (1+ex)3−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
We need the second derivative of x with respect to y, given y=x+ex. The key is to invert the relationship using implicit differentiation: dydx=dy/dx1, then differentiate again with respect to y. The final result is (1+ex)3−ex, which corresponds to option (C).
Concept & Intuition
When a function is given as y in terms of x, but we need derivatives of x with respect to y, we can’t just “flip” the derivative naively. Instead, we use the fact that
dydx=dxdy1
provided dxdy=0. For the second derivative, we differentiate dydx with respect to y, which requires the chain rule because dydx is expressed in terms of x, and x itself depends on y. This avoids solving for x explicitly (which is impossible here anyway).
Step-by-step solution
- Find dxdy Given y=x+ex, differentiate with respect to x:
dxdy=1+ex
- Find dydx Using the reciprocal relation:
dydx=dxdy1=1+ex1
- Set up for dy2d2x The second derivative is the derivative of dydx with respect to y:
dy2d2x=dyd(1+ex1)
Since the expression is in terms of x, we use the chain rule:
dyd=dxd⋅dydx
- Differentiate with respect to x Let u=1+ex. Then u1 differentiates to −u21⋅dxdu:
dxd(1+ex1)=−(1+ex)2ex
- Multiply by dydx From step 2, dydx=1+ex1. So:
dy2d2x=(−(1+ex)2ex)⋅(1+ex1)=−(1+ex)3ex
Watch outA common mistake is to think dy2d2x=dx2d2y1. That is false — second derivatives do not invert like first derivatives do. Always use the chain-rule method shown above.
TipYou can remember the pattern:
dy2d2x=−(dxdy)3dx2d2y
Here dx2d2y=ex and dxdy=1+ex, giving the same result instantly.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If y=loge(e2x2), then dx2d2y is equal to
(A) −x22 (B) −x1 (C) −x21 (D) x22›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the logarithmic expression using logarithm rules before differentiating; the second derivative is −x22, so the correct option is (A).
Concept & Intuition
When a function involves a logarithm of a quotient or power, it’s almost always easier to expand it using properties of logs before differentiating. Here, y=log(e2x2) can be rewritten as log(x2)−log(e2)=2logx−2. That turns a messy quotient into a simple difference, making differentiation straightforward. The first derivative will be a simple rational function, and the second derivative follows directly.
Step-by-step solution
- Simplify the expression Use the logarithm rules:
y=log(e2x2)=log(x2)−log(e2)=2logx−2.
(Recall log(e2)=2.) This is much cleaner.
- First derivative Differentiate term by term:
dxdy=2⋅x1−0=x2.
- Second derivative Differentiate x2 (which is 2x−1):
dx2d2y=2⋅(−1)x−2=−x22.
- Match with options The result −x22 corresponds exactly to option (A).
TipA common mistake is to differentiate the original form without simplifying, leading to unnecessary chain-rule complications. Always expand logs first — it’s faster and less error-prone.
Watch outDon’t forget that log(e2)=2 is a constant, so its derivative is zero. Some students mistakenly treat it as a variable term.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- KCET 2022Set C-41 markMCQQ.If θ+xy=e the ordered pair (dxdy,dx2d2y) at x=0 is equal to (A) (e−1,e2−1) (B) (e1,e2−1) (C) (e−1,e21) (D) (e1,e21)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the implicit relation ey+xy=e twice, then substitute the point x=0,y=1 found from the curve itself.
(Note: the first term of the printed stem is a corrupted glyph; the relation is the standard implicit curve ey+xy=e, which is the only reading consistent with the four printed options.)
Step 1 — Find y at x=0.
Put x=0 in ey+xy=e:
ey=e⟹y=1.
So the point of interest is (0,1).
Step 2 — First derivative (implicit differentiation).
Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x, using the chain rule on ey and the product rule on xy:
eydxdy+(y+xdxdy)=0.
At (0,1): e1y′+1+0=0, so
y′(0)=−e1
Step 3 — Second derivative.
Differentiate the equation of Step 2 again w.r.t. x:
ey(dxdy)2+eydx2d2y+dxdy+dxdy+xdx2d2y=0.
(The first two terms come from differentiating eyy′ as a product; the last two from differentiating y+xy′.)
Substitute x=0, y=1, y′=−e1:
e⋅e21+ey′′+2(−e1)=0
e1+ey′′−e2=0⟹ey′′=e1⟹y′′(0)=e21.
Step 4 — Assemble the ordered pair.
(dxdy, dx2d2y)x=0=(−e1, e21).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — (e−1,e21).
ANSWER: C
- KCET 2021Set A-11 markMCQQ.If y=(x−1)2(x−2)3(x−3)5 then dxdy at x=4 is equal to (A) 108 (B) 54 (C) 36 (D) 516
›Reveal solutionSolution
Take logs to turn the triple product into a sum, differentiate term by term, then evaluate at x=4.
Step 1 — Why logarithmic differentiation.
y is a product of three powers. Using the product rule directly on three factors is messy and error-prone. Taking log converts products into sums and powers into multipliers, which is far cleaner:
logy=2log(x−1)+3log(x−2)+5log(x−3).
Step 2 — Differentiate implicitly.
Using dxdlog(u)=uu′ on both sides:
y1⋅dxdy=x−12+x−23+x−35
⟹dxdy=y[x−12+x−23+x−35].
Step 3 — Evaluate y at x=4.
y(4)=(4−1)2(4−2)3(4−3)5=32⋅23⋅15=9⋅8⋅1=72.
Step 4 — Evaluate the bracket at x=4.
4−12+4−23+4−35=32+23+5.
Common denominator 6:
=64+69+630=643.
Step 5 — Multiply.
dxdyx=4=72×643=12×43=516.
(Note x=4 is safely away from x=1,2,3, so no denominator blows up and the method is valid.)
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 516.
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If y=e2x, then dx2d2ydy2d2x= (A) e2x2 (B) 1 (C) −2e−2x (D) −2/y
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR]
Computing both second derivatives and multiplying gives −2/y=−2e−2x, i.e. option (C).
Concept
For a function and its inverse you differentiate each in its own variable; a second derivative with respect to the other variable is found from x=x(y) (CBSE/NCERT Class 12 Continuity and Differentiability).
Solution
With y=e2x:
dxdy=2e2x,dx2d2y=4e2x=4y.
Inverting, x=21lny, so
dydx=2y1,dy2d2x=−2y21.
Multiplying the two second derivatives:
dx2d2y⋅dy2d2x=4y⋅(−2y21)=−y2=−2e−2x.
Note that −2/y and −2e−2x are the same value since y=e2x; the fully evaluated closed form is −2e−2x.
[!ANSWER]
(C) −2e−2x (equivalently −2/y)
NoteThis solution was worked out by our team and independently cross-checked by a second solve. The official answer key on record for this question could not be confirmed, so please cross-verify with the official paper where possible.
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