Q.Find dxdy in the following: exsin5x
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Chain Rule
The Chain Rule: Why It Makes Sense
Imagine you're assembling a toy. First you put part A into part B, then you put that combined piece into part C. The final toy's position depends on how you moved A, which then affected B, which then affected C. That's exactly what the chain rule captures — how a change in the first variable ripples through a sequence of functions to affect the final output.
Let's make this concrete. Suppose you have a function f that depends on g, and g itself depends on x:
y=f(g(x))
You want to know: if x changes by a tiny amount, how much does y change? The answer isn't just f′(g(x)) — because g(x) itself changes when x changes. You have to multiply the two rates:
- How fast does g change with respect to x? That's g′(x).
- How fast does f change with respect to its input g? That's f′(g(x)).
The total effect is the product:
dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x)
In Leibniz notation, this looks even more natural: dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu, where u=g(x). The du's "cancel" like fractions — though this is just a helpful memory aid, not a rigorous proof.
The Precise Statement
Chain Rule (single variable): If g is differentiable at x and f is differentiable at g(x), then the composite function h(x)=f(g(x)) is differentiable at x, and
h′(x)=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x)
That's it. One multiplication. But the power is enormous — it lets you differentiate almost any nested function.
A Simple Example
Differentiate h(x)=sin(3x2).
Here f(u)=sinu and g(x)=3x2. Then:
- f′(u)=cosu, so f′(g(x))=cos(3x2)
- g′(x)=6x
Multiply: h′(x)=cos(3x2)⋅6x=6xcos(3x2)
The most common mistake is forgetting to multiply by the inner derivative. Students often write dxdsin(3x2)=cos(3x2) and stop — that's wrong. The chain rule demands you also multiply by 6x.
Why It's Called a "Chain"
Think of a chain of links: x→g→f. Each link has its own rate of change. To find the total rate from x to f, you multiply the rates of each link. If you had three functions — say h(x)=f(g(k(x))) — you'd multiply three derivatives: …
Concept: Chain Rule — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
We have y=exsin5x. This is a product, so first use the Product Rule:
dxdy=ex⋅dxd(sin5x)+sin5x⋅dxd(ex)
Now apply the Chain Rule to sin5x: derivative is cos5x⋅5=5cos5x.
The derivative of ex is ex.
So: …
We differentiate exsin5x using the Product Rule combined with the Chain Rule. The derivative is exsin5x+5excos5x, which can be factored as ex(sin5x+5cos5x).
The function exsin5x is a product of two distinct functions: ex and sin5x. When you have a product, the Product Rule is your first instinct. But notice that sin5x itself is not a simple sine — it’s a composition: sin(5x). That means the Chain Rule will be needed inside the product.
So the core idea: Product Rule first, then Chain Rule on the second factor.
Let’s walk through it.
-
Identify the two factors.
Let u=ex and v=sin5x. Then y=u⋅v.
-
Differentiate u.
The derivative of ex is simply ex itself:
dxdu=ex.
-
Differentiate v=sin5x using the Chain Rule.
The outer function is sin(⋅), whose derivative is cos(⋅). The inner function is 5x, whose derivative is 5.
So:
dxdv=cos(5x)⋅5=5cos5x.
TipA quick check: derivative of sin(kx) is always kcos(kx). This pattern saves time.
-
Apply the Product Rule.
The Product Rule says: dxdy=udxdv+vdxdu.
Substitute:
dxdy=ex⋅(5cos5x)+sin5x⋅ex. …
Method: The Product Rule (with Chain Rule on Each Factor)
When two functions of x are multiplied together, neither the sum rule nor differentiating each factor separately and multiplying works — the product rule is required.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the two factors u(x) and v(x) being multiplied
Step 2: Differentiate each factor separately
If either factor is itself composite, apply the chain rule to it individually at this stage.
Step 3: Combine using the product rule
dxd(uv)=udxdv+vdxdu. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the chain-rule factor of 5 when differentiating sin5x.
Why it's wrong: dxdsin5x=5cos5x, not cos5x — because 5x is the inner function, whose own derivative (5) must be multiplied in. Correct approach: whenever a trig function's argument is not simply x, differentiate the argument as an explicit chain-rule step.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to factor out ex from both terms in the final answer. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 13 on this concept.
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If y=sin−1(135x+121−x2) then dxdy equals
(A) 1−x2−2x (B) 1+x2−1 (C) 1−x21 (D) 1−x22x›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=sinθ turns the argument into sin(θ+ϕ), so y=sin−1x+ϕ and dxdy=1−x21. The correct option is (C).
Concept
When an inverse-sine argument has the form cax+b1−x2 with a2+b2=c2, the substitution x=sinθ collapses asinθ+bcosθ into csin(θ+ϕ), so the inverse sine unwinds to a simple sum of an angle and a constant — making differentiation immediate.
Solution
- Substitute. x=sinθ, θ∈[−2π,2π], so 1−x2=cosθ and
y=sin−1(135sinθ+12cosθ).
- Single sine. With cosϕ=135, sinϕ=1312, 5sinθ+12cosθ=13sin(θ+ϕ),y=sin−1(sin(θ+ϕ)). …
- KCET 2021Set A-11 markMCQQ.If y=(cosx2)2, then dxdy is equal to (A) −4xsin2x2 (B) −xsinx2 (C) −2xsin2x2 (D) −xcos2x2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the chain rule twice: differentiate the outer square, then the cosine, then the inner x2. The derivative is −4xsin(x2)cos(x2), which simplifies to −2xsin(2x2).
The function y=(cosx2)2 is a composition of three layers: an outer square, a middle cosine, and an innermost x2. Whenever you see a function of a function of a function, the chain rule is your tool — you differentiate from the outside in, multiplying each derivative along the way.
A common mistake is to forget that cosx2 means cos(x2), not (cosx)2. Here the parentheses make it clear: (cosx2)2 means "square the cosine of x2". So the outermost operation is squaring, then cosine, then x2.
Let’s work through it step by step.
-
Identify the layers.
Write y=u2 where u=cosv and v=x2.
Then dxdy=dudy⋅dvdu⋅dxdv.
-
Differentiate each layer.
- dudy=2u=2cosv=2cos(x2)
- dvdu=−sinv=−sin(x2)
- dxdv=2x
-
Multiply them together.
dxdy=2cos(x2)⋅(−sin(x2))⋅2x
=−4xcos(x2)sin(x2)
- Simplify using a trig identity. Recall the double-angle identity: sin2θ=2sinθcosθ. Here θ=x2, so 2sin(x2)cos(x2)=sin(2x2). Therefore, −4xcos(x2)sin(x2)=−2x⋅(2sin(x2)cos(x2))=−2xsin(2x2) …
-
- KCET 2019Set A-11 markMCQQ.If 3yx=6(x+y)5, then dxdy= (A) yx (B) x+y (C) x−y (D) xy
›Reveal solutionSolution
dxdy=xy — option (D).
The relation 3yx=6(x+y)5 is x1/2y1/3=(x+y)1/2+1/3, the homogeneous form xmyn=(x+y)m+n with m=21, n=31.
Take logarithms: mlogx+nlogy=(m+n)log(x+y). Differentiate:
xm+yndxdy=x+y(m+n)(1+dxdy). …
- KCET 2024Set A-11 markMCQQ.Let the function satisfy the equation f(x+y)=f(x)f(y) for all x,y∈R, where f(0)=0. If f(5)=3 and f′(0)=2, then f′(5) is (A) 6 (B) 0 (C) 3 (D) −6
›Reveal solutionSolution
The functional equation f(x+y)=f(x)f(y) with f(0)=0 forces f to be an exponential function. Using the given f(5)=3 and f′(0)=2, we find f′(5)=6, so the answer is (A).
The core idea here is that the equation f(x+y)=f(x)f(y) is the Cauchy exponential functional equation. For functions continuous at even a single point (or differentiable at a point, as we have here), the only non-zero solutions are of the form f(x)=ax for some positive base a. But we don't need to assume continuity — differentiability at 0 is enough to pin down the derivative everywhere.
Let’s see why. The equation tells us that the value of f at a sum is the product of its values at the parts. This is the defining property of exponential functions. If we differentiate with respect to y and then set y=0, we get a direct relation between f′(x) and f(x).
- Differentiate the functional equation with respect to y. Treat x as fixed. The left side is f(x+y), whose derivative with respect to y is f′(x+y) (by the chain rule). The right side is f(x)f(y), whose derivative is f(x)f′(y). So:
f′(x+y)=f(x)f′(y)
This holds for all real x and y.
- Set y=0. Then f′(x+0)=f(x)f′(0). But f′(0)=2 is given, so:
f′(x)=2f(x)
This is a beautiful result: the derivative of f at any point is just twice the function’s value at that point. It tells us f satisfies the differential equation f′=2f, which indeed gives f(x)=Ce2x.
- Find f(0) using the functional equation. …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If y=sin−1(sinx), then dxdy equals
(A) 211−cosecx (B) 211−sinx (C) 211+cosecx (D) 211+sinx›Reveal solutionSolution
Chain rule on y=sin−1(sinx) simplifies to dxdy=211+cosecx — option (C).
Set up the chain rule
Let u=sinx, so y=sin−1u and u2=sinx.
dxdy=1−u21⋅dxdu.
Differentiate u=(sinx)1/2:
dxdu=2sinxcosx.
Since u2=sinx, we have 1−u2=1−sinx, so
dxdy=1−sinx1⋅2sinxcosx=2sinx1−sinxcosx.
Simplify with cos2x=(1−sinx)(1+sinx)
On the principal domain (cosx≥0), cosx=(1−sinx)(1+sinx), hence …
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=logx2(logex), then f'(x) at x = e is (A) infinite (B) 1/2e (C) 0 (D) 1/e
›Reveal solutionSolution
f′(e)=2e1.
Convert to natural logs: f(x)=logx2(logex)=ln(x2)ln(lnx)=2lnxln(lnx).
Let u=ln(lnx) and v=2lnx, so f=u/v and f′=v2u′v−uv′.
u′=lnx1⋅x1=xlnx1, v′=x2. …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.If y=sin−1(x+11) then dxdy= (A) 21−x1 (B) 2x(1+x)1 (C) 2x(1+x)1 (D) −2x(1+x)1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The derivative simplifies by substituting x=sec2θ−1 or using a chain rule with algebraic manipulation; the final result is −2x(1+x)1, which matches option (D).
We start with
y=sin−1(x+11).
The argument x+11 is always between 0 and 1 for x≥0, so the inverse sine is well-defined. The key insight: instead of differentiating directly and getting tangled in messy algebra, we can simplify the expression before differentiating by using a trigonometric substitution or by rewriting the argument in a friendlier form.
- Rewrite the argument Let t=x+11. Then t2=x+11, so x+1=t21 and x=t21−1. But more directly: notice that
x+11=x+11.
This suggests setting x+1=sec2θ (since secθ≥1 for θ∈[0,π/2)). Then
x+11=secθ1=cosθ.
So
y=sin−1(cosθ).
- Simplify the inverse trig expression Recall the identity: sin−1(cosθ)=2π−θ for θ∈[0,π]. Since θ=sec−1(x+1) and x+1≥1, θ lies in [0,π/2), so the identity holds. Hence
y=2π−θ=2π−sec−1(x+1).
- Differentiate The derivative of sec−1(u) is ∣u∣u2−11⋅dxdu. Here u=x+1>0, so the absolute value is unnecessary.
dxdy=0−x+1⋅(x+1)2−11⋅dxd(x+1).
Now dxd(x+1)=2x+11.
So
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If f(x)=sin−1(1+4x2x+1) then f′(0) is equal to
(A) 2log2 (B) 32log2 (C) 0 (D) log2›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=2x turns the argument into 1+t22t=sin(2tan−1t), so f(x)=2tan−1(2x) and f′(0)=log2.
Rewrite the argument with t=2x:
1+4x2x+1=1+(2x)22⋅2x=1+t22t.
Since 1+t22t=sin(2tan−1t), we get
f(x)=sin−1(1+t22t)=2tan−1(2x).
Differentiate: …
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If f(1)=3 and f'(1) = 4, then the value of the derivative of tan−1[f(x)] at x = 1 is (A) 3/17 (B) 4/7 (C) 2/5 (D) 1/2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The derivative at x=1 is 52.
By the chain rule, dxdtan−1[f(x)]=1+[f(x)]2f′(x). Substituting f(1)=3, f′(1)=4: …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.Differentiate logax with respect to ax (A) xax1 (B) xax(loga)21 (C) x(loga)2ax (D) xax
›Reveal solutionSolution
We want the derivative of logax with respect to ax. Using the chain rule in reverse (differentiating one function of a variable with respect to another function of the same variable), we get xax(loga)21, which corresponds to option (B).
Concept & Intuition
The phrase “differentiate f with respect to g” means: treat g as the independent variable and find dgdf. If both f and g are functions of a common variable (here x), we use the chain rule:
dgdf=dg/dxdf/dx.
So we compute the ordinary derivatives of logax and ax with respect to x, then take their ratio.
Step-by-step solution
- Rewrite logax in terms of natural logs
logax=lnalnx.
This is the standard change-of-base formula. Here lna is a constant.
- Differentiate logax with respect to x
dxd(lnalnx)=lna1⋅x1=xlna1.
-
Differentiate ax with respect to x
Recall that dxdax=axlna. (This comes from writing ax=exlna and using the chain rule.)
-
Apply the “derivative with respect to” formula
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=(1+x3+x)2+3x, then f′(0)= (A) 12+log3 (B) −12+3log3 (C) −34+3log3 (D) −12+27log3
›Reveal solutionSolution
To differentiate a function of the form h(x)g(x), we use logarithmic differentiation: take log, differentiate implicitly, then evaluate at x=0. The result is f′(0)=−12+27log3, which corresponds to option (D).
We have f(x)=(1+x3+x)2+3x. This is a variable base raised to a variable exponent — a classic case for logarithmic differentiation. The reason: neither the power rule nor the exponential rule alone applies, but taking logs converts the exponent into a factor, letting us use the product rule.
- Take the natural logarithm of both sides Let y=f(x). Then
logy=(2+3x)log(1+x3+x).
- Differentiate implicitly with respect to x On the left: dxdlogy=yy′. On the right: use the product rule. Let u=2+3x and v=log(1+x3+x). Then
yy′=u′v+uv′.
Here u′=3.
For v, note log(1+x3+x)=log(3+x)−log(1+x), so
v′=3+x1−1+x1.
- Write the derivative expression
yy′=3log(1+x3+x)+(2+3x)(3+x1−1+x1).
Hence
y′=y[3log(1+x3+x)+(2+3x)(3+x1−1+x1)].
- Evaluate at x=0 First, y(0)=(13)2=9. Next, log(1+03+0)=log3. …
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] If y=tan−1(1+x3−1−x31+x3+1−x3) then dxdy=
(A) −21−x63x2 (B) −1−x66x2 (C) 1−x66x2 (D) 1−x63x2›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to simplify the argument of the inverse tangent using the identity tan−1(a−ba+b)=4π+tan−1(ab), then differentiate. The derivative simplifies to −21−x63x2, so the correct option is (A).
We start with
y=tan−1(1+x3−1−x31+x3+1−x3).
The expression inside looks messy, but there’s a classic trick: when you see a fraction of the form A−BA+B, it often simplifies via the identity
tan−1(A−BA+B)=4π+tan−1(AB),
provided A>B>0 (which holds here for small x). This works because tan(4π+θ)=1−tanθ1+tanθ, and setting tanθ=B/A gives exactly our fraction. This reduces the problem to differentiating a much simpler expression.
- Apply the identity Let A=1+x3 and B=1−x3. Then
y=tan−1(A−BA+B)=4π+tan−1(AB).
Since 4π is constant,
dxdy=dxdtan−1(AB).
- Simplify the ratio
AB=1+x31−x3=1+x31−x3.
So
y=4π+tan−1(1+x31−x3).
- Differentiate using the chain rule Let u=1+x31−x3. Then
dxdy=1+u21⋅dxdu.
First compute 1+u2:
u2=1+x31−x3,so1+u2=1+1+x31−x3=1+x3(1+x3)+(1−x3)=1+x32.
Hence
1+u21=21+x3.
- Find dxdu Write u=(1+x31−x3)1/2. Differentiate using the chain rule and quotient rule:
dxdu=21(1+x31−x3)−1/2⋅dxd(1+x31−x3).
The derivative of the quotient:
dxd(1+x31−x3)=(1+x3)2(−3x2)(1+x3)−(1−x3)(3x2)=(1+x3)2−3x2(1+x3+1−x3)=(1+x3)2−6x2.
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