Q.Find dxdy in the following: sin(x2+5)
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:
h′(x)=f′(g(k(x)))⋅g′(k(x))⋅k′(x)
The chain can be as long as you like. Each new function adds one more factor.
The Intuition in One Sentence
The chain rule says: the rate of change of the whole is the product of the rates of change of the parts, evaluated at the right places.
The chain rule is not optional — it's the backbone of calculus. Every derivative of a trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, or power function that isn't just xn uses it. Master this, and you master differentiation.
The chain rule is one of the most heavily tested formulas in the NCERT Class 12 Continuity and Differentiability chapter, and it underlies nearly every differentiation problem in CBSE boards, JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Whether you're searching 'chain rule differentiation class 12 examples' or 'chain rule important questions for JEE', this f'(g(x))·g'(x) pattern is the formula every subsequent derivative rule in the syllabus builds on.
Concept: Chain Rule — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let y=sin(u) where u=x2+5.
Step 1: dudy=cos(u).
Step 2: dxdu=2x.
Step 3: By the chain rule, dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu=cos(u)⋅2x.
Step 4: Substitute back u=x2+5 to get dxdy=2xcos(x2+5).
The derivative is 2xcos(x2+5).
Use the Chain Rule: differentiate the outer sine function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner x2+5. The result is dxdy=2xcos(x2+5).
We have y=sin(x2+5). This is a composite function — a sine function whose input is not just x, but another function x2+5. Whenever you have a function inside another function, the Chain Rule is the tool.
The Chain Rule says: if y=f(g(x)), then dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x). In words: differentiate the outer function, keep the inner function unchanged, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Here, the outer function is sin(⋅), whose derivative is cos(⋅). The inner function is g(x)=x2+5, whose derivative is 2x.
Let’s apply it step by step.
-
Identify the outer and inner functions.
Outer: f(u)=sinu, where u=x2+5.
Inner: u=x2+5.
-
Differentiate the outer function with respect to its input u.
dudsinu=cosu.
So f′(g(x))=cos(x2+5).
-
Differentiate the inner function with respect to x.
dxd(x2+5)=2x.
-
Multiply the two derivatives.
By the Chain Rule:
dxdy=cos(x2+5)⋅2x=2xcos(x2+5).
A common mistake is to write cos(2x) instead of cos(x2+5). Remember: the derivative of sin(stuff) is cos(stuff), where "stuff" stays exactly as it is — you do not differentiate the inside yet. That multiplication comes separately.
If you ever get confused, rewrite y as y=sin(u) with u=x2+5, then compute dudy⋅dxdu. This "Leibniz notation" form of the Chain Rule often makes the logic clearer.
The derivative is 2xcos(x2+5).
Method: Differentiating a Trigonometric Function of a Polynomial (Chain Rule)
Whenever you need dxdy of a trig function applied to a non-linear expression, the chain rule breaks the work into two easy pieces.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the outer and inner functions
Write y=f(u) where u is everything inside the trig function (the inner expression), and f is the trig function itself (the outer function).
Step 2: Differentiate the outer function with respect to u, keeping u unevaluated
Use the standard derivative (e.g. dudsinu=cosu) but do NOT substitute the inner expression's own derivative yet — write the result still in terms of u.
Step 3: Differentiate the inner function with respect to x
This is usually a simple polynomial derivative.
Step 4: Multiply the two results and substitute back
dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu
Replace u with its original expression in x to give the final answer purely in terms of x.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to multiply by the inner derivative
Why it's wrong: writing dxdy=cos(x2+5) and stopping there ignores the chain rule entirely — the derivative of the inner function x2+5 (which is 2x) must also be multiplied in. Correct approach: always write out both the outer derivative and the inner derivative as separate steps, then multiply them, rather than trying to do the whole thing in one line.
Mistake 2: Differentiating the inside prematurely, inside the outer function's argument
Why it's wrong: some students write cos(2x) instead of cos(x2+5), mistakenly replacing the inner expression with its own derivative before applying the outer function. The argument of cos must stay as the original inner expression, x2+5 — only after differentiating the outer function do you separately multiply by the inner derivative. Correct approach: keep the inner expression completely unchanged inside the outer function's derivative; the inner derivative only appears as a separate multiplied factor.
Showing the 12 most recent of 13 on this concept.
- KEAM 2021Set eng-2021-P2-B14 marksMCQQ.If f(x)=(x3+sinπx)5, then f′(1) is equal to (A) 25 (B) 5(24) (C) 15 (D) 5(3+π) (E) 5(3−π)
›Reveal solutionSolution
f′(1)=5(3−π).
Concept and Intuition
Differentiate the outer fifth power via the chain rule and multiply by the derivative of the inner expression, then evaluate at x=1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- f′(x)=5(x3+sinπx)4⋅(3x2+πcosπx).
- At x=1: inner base =1+sinπ=1, so 14=1.
- Inner derivative =3(1)+πcosπ=3−π.
- f′(1)=5⋅1⋅(3−π)=5(3−π).
Common Mistakes
- Using cosπ=+1 (it is −1), which flips the sign to 5(3+π).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E) — 5(3−π).
ANSWER: E
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.If y=tan−1(x2−x), then dxdy= (A) 1+(x2−x)22x (B) 1+(x2−x)22x−1 (C) 1−(x2−x)22x−1 (D) 1+(x2−x)2−2x+1 (E) (2x−1)(1+(x2−x)2)
›Reveal solutionSolution
d/dx tan^{-1}(u) = u'/(1+u^2) with u=x^2-x gives (2x-1)/(1+(x^2-x)^2).
Concept and Intuition
The derivative of arctan(u) is u'/(1+u^2). Here u = x^2 - x so u' = 2x - 1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u = x^2 - x, so u' = 2x - 1.
- dy/dx = u'/(1+u^2) = (2x-1)/(1+(x^2-x)^2).
Common Mistakes
- Writing the denominator as 1 - u^2 (that belongs to artanh, not arctan).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — (2x-1)/(1+(x^2-x)^2).
ANSWER: B
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04284 marksMCQQ.If x3=sinθ, y3=cosθ, then xdxdy is (A) y5y5−1 (B) y5y6−1 (C) y6y6−1 (D) y3y3−1 (E) y2y2−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate both parametric relations with respect to θ, form dxdy, and substitute x6=1−y6.
Concept. Here x and y are both given as functions of a parameter θ. For parametric curves, dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ.
Step 1 — differentiate w.r.t. θ.
x3=sinθ ⇒ 3x2dθdx=cosθ,y3=cosθ ⇒ 3y2dθdy=−sinθ.
Step 2 — form dxdy.
dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ=cosθ/(3x2)−sinθ/(3y2)=−y2cosθx2sinθ.
Since sinθ=x3 and cosθ=y3,
dxdy=−y2⋅y3x2⋅x3=−y5x5.
Step 3 — multiply by x.
xdxdy=−y5x6.
Step 4 — eliminate x using the Pythagorean identity.
x6=(x3)2=sin2θ=1−cos2θ=1−(y3)2=1−y6.
Hence
xdxdy=−y51−y6=y5y6−1.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B), y5y6−1.
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.If y=sin(tan−1(x2−11)), x>1, then dxdy= (A) x21 (B) x41 (C) x2−1 (D) x4−1 (E) x31
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the inverse trig: the angle whose tangent is x2−11 has sin=x1, so y=x1 and its derivative is −x21.
Let θ=tan−1(x2−11), so tanθ=x2−11 with opposite =1 and adjacent =x2−1. The hypotenuse is 1+(x2−1)=x2=x (since x>1). Hence sinθ=x1, i.e. y=x1=x−1.
Differentiating, dxdy=−x−2=−x21.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06074 marksMCQQ.If y=loge(1−3x21+2x2), then dxdy= (A) 1−x2−6x410x (B) 1−x2−6x412x3 (C) 1−6x410x (D) 1−x2−6x4−10x (E) 1−x2−6x4−12x3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Split the log, differentiate each term, combine over the common denominator.
y=log(1+2x2)−log(1−3x2).
Differentiating:
dxdy=1+2x24x−1−3x2−6x=1+2x24x+1−3x26x.
Common denominator (1+2x2)(1−3x2)=1−x2−6x4; numerator:
4x(1−3x2)+6x(1+2x2)=4x−12x3+6x+12x3=10x.
So dxdy=1−x2−6x410x.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04284 marksMCQQ.If y=sinxsin2x, and t=cosx, then dtdy is (A) 2(3t2−1) (B) 1−3t2 (C) 21(1−3t2) (D) (3t2−1) (E) 2(1−3t2)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Express y in t=cosx: y=2t−2t3, then dtdy=2−6t2=2(1−3t2).
With t=cosx and using sin2x=2sinxcosx:
y=sinxsin2x=sinx(2sinxcosx)=2sin2xcosx.
Since sin2x=1−cos2x=1−t2 and cosx=t,
y=2(1−t2)t=2t−2t3.
Differentiating with respect to t:
dtdy=2−6t2=2(1−3t2).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E).
- KEAM 2022Set eng-2022-P2-B14 marksMCQQ.If y=e3log(2x+1), then dxdy= (A) 6e3log(2x+1) (B) 62x+1e3log(2x+1) (C) 2x+1e3log(2x+1) (D) 3(2x+1)e3log(2x+1) (E) (2x+1)e3log(2x+1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
dxdy=2x+16e3log(2x+1).
Concept and Intuition
Differentiate the exponential by the chain rule: dxdeu=euu′, with u=3log(2x+1).
Step-by-Step Solution
- u=3log(2x+1), so u′=3⋅2x+12=2x+16.
- dxdy=e3log(2x+1)⋅u′=e3log(2x+1)⋅2x+16.
- Hence dxdy=2x+16e3log(2x+1).
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the inner factor 2 from dxd(2x+1).
- Omitting the 2x+11 derivative of the log.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 62x+1e3log(2x+1).
ANSWER: B
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQQ.If x=secθ−cosθ, y=sec10θ−cos10θ, then (dxdy)2 is equal to (A) 100(x2+4y2+4) (B) 100(x4+4y4−4) (C) 100(x2−4y2+4) (D) 100(x4+4y4+2) (E) 100(x4+2y4+4)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key identities x2+4=(secθ+cosθ)2 and y2+4=(sec10θ+cos10θ)2 turn (dy/dx)2 into a clean ratio.
Since x=secθ−cosθ, x2+4=sec2θ+cos2θ+2=(secθ+cosθ)2.
Since y=sec10θ−cos10θ, y2+4=sec20θ+cos20θ+2=(sec10θ+cos10θ)2.
Differentiating and forming dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ leads to (dxdy)2=100(secθ+cosθ)2(sec10θ+cos10θ)2=100(x2+4y2+4).
A numerical check at θ=3π confirms this (both sides ≈1.678×107).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.If s=t+1, x=logs and y=6x+3, then dtdy= (A) t+12 (B) t+16 (C) 3t+1 (D) t+13 (E) t+13
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting back, y=6logt+1+3=3log(t+1)+3, whose t-derivative is t+13.
With s=t+1 and x=logs, we have x=logt+1=21log(t+1). Then
y=6x+3=6⋅21log(t+1)+3=3log(t+1)+3.
Differentiating with respect to t: dtdy=3⋅t+11=t+13.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.For x∈R, let f(x)=log3−sinx and g(x)=f(f(x)). Then g′(0)= (A) sin(log3) (B) −sin(log3) (C) −cos(log3) (D) 2cos(log3) (E) cos(log3)
›Reveal solutionSolution
With f(x)=log3−sinx, f′(x)=−cosx; by the chain rule g′(0)=f′(f(0))f′(0)=(−cos(log3))(−cos0)=cos(log3).
Here f(x)=log3−sinx so f′(x)=−cosx. Then f(0)=log3−sin0=log3 and f′(0)=−cos0=−1.
For g(x)=f(f(x)), the chain rule gives g′(x)=f′(f(x))f′(x). At x=0:
g′(0)=f′(log3)⋅f′(0)=(−cos(log3))⋅(−1)=cos(log3).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E).
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06084 marksMCQQ.The derivative of t2+t with respect to t−1 at t=−2, is equal to (A) −4 (B) 2 (C) −1 (D) −3 (E) −21
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate parametrically: divide dtd(t2+t) by dtd(t−1), then substitute t=−2.
Let u=t2+t and w=t−1. The derivative of u with respect to w is
dwdu=dw/dtdu/dt.
Compute each piece: dtdu=2t+1 and dtdw=1.
Hence dwdu=12t+1=2t+1.
At t=−2: 2(−2)+1=−4+1=−3.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.If u=sec−1(−sec2θ) and v=cosθ, then dvdu at θ=4π, is equal to (A) 2 (B) 22 (C) 21 (D) 221 (E) −2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify u=π−2θ, differentiate both u and v in θ, divide.
Using sec−1(−x)=π−sec−1(x) and sec−1(sec2θ)=2θ (for 2θ in the principal range),
u=sec−1(−sec2θ)=π−2θ⇒dθdu=−2.
With v=cosθ, dθdv=−sinθ. Hence
dvdu=dv/dθdu/dθ=−sinθ−2=sinθ2.
At θ=4π, sinθ=21, so dvdu=22.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
🎓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.