Q.Find dxdy in the following: xx−3+(x−3)x, for x>3
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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 — but here we have two variable-base, variable-exponent terms, so we use logarithmic differentiation on each separately.
Let y=xx−3+(x−3)x. Differentiate term-by-term.
For u=xx−3:
logu=(x−3)logx
uu′=logx+xx−3
u′=xx−3(logx+1−x3)
For v=(x−3)x:
logv=xlog(x−3)
vv′=log(x−3)+x−3x
v′=(x−3)x(log(x−3)+x−3x)
Add them: …
We use logarithmic differentiation separately on each term because both have the variable in the exponent. The derivative is dxdy=xx−3(logx+xx−3)+(x−3)x(log(x−3)+x−3x).
When you see a function where the variable appears in both the base and the exponent, the standard power rule or exponential rule alone won't work. For example, xn uses the power rule, and ax uses the exponential rule — but xx−3 is neither. The technique that handles this is logarithmic differentiation: take the natural log of both sides, use log properties to bring the exponent down, then differentiate implicitly.
Here we have a sum of two such terms: y=xx−3+(x−3)x. Since the derivative of a sum is the sum of the derivatives, we can handle each term separately.
Let’s set u=xx−3 and v=(x−3)x, so y=u+v and dxdy=dxdu+dxdv.
- Differentiate u=xx−3 Take log of both sides: logu=(x−3)logx. Differentiate implicitly with respect to x:
u1dxdu=(1)⋅logx+(x−3)⋅x1
(using the product rule on the right).
So dxdu=u(logx+xx−3)=xx−3(logx+xx−3).
- Differentiate v=(x−3)x Take log: logv=xlog(x−3). Differentiate:
v1dxdv=(1)⋅log(x−3)+x⋅x−31
(again product rule).
So dxdv=v(log(x−3)+x−3x)=(x−3)x(log(x−3)+x−3x).
- Add the results …
Method: Logarithmic Differentiation for y=[f(x)]g(x)
When BOTH the base and the exponent of a power contain x, neither the power rule (needs constant exponent) nor the exponential rule (needs constant base) applies directly. Logarithmic differentiation converts the exponent into a product, which can then be handled with the ordinary rules.
Steps
Step 1: Take the natural log of both sides
logy=g(x)⋅logf(x)
using the power property of logs, log(ab)=bloga.
Step 2: Differentiate both sides with respect to x
On the left, dxdlogy=y1dxdy (chain rule, since y is a function of x). On the right, apply the product rule (since it's now g(x) times logf(x)), with the chain rule on logf(x) itself.
Step 3: Solve for dxdy by multiplying both sides by y …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating xx−3 as a plain power rule problem because the exponent "looks like it's just shifted by a constant".
Why it's wrong: x−3 still depends on x — the exponent is not a fixed number, so the power rule (which needs a genuinely constant exponent) does not apply. Correct approach: check whether the exponent varies with x at all, regardless of how simple it looks.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to differentiate the two terms with logarithmic differentiation independently, and instead trying to combine them into one log expression. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- 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 …
- 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 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. …
- 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 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): …
- 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-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 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). …
- 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 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. …
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