Q.Find dxdy in the following: cos(sinx)
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=cos(sinx).
The outer function is cosu, where u=sinx.
Step 1: Derivative of outer: dudy=−sinu=−sin(sinx).
Step 2: Derivative of inner: dxdu=cosx.
Step 3: Multiply: dxdy=−sin(sinx)⋅cosx.
The derivative is −cosx⋅sin(sinx).
This problem is a direct application of the Chain Rule: differentiate the outer function (cosine) first, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function (sine). The result is dxdy=−sin(sinx)⋅cosx.
We have y=cos(sinx). The function is a composition: the outer function is cos(⋅), and the inner function is sinx. Whenever you see a function "wrapped" inside another, the Chain Rule is your tool.
The Chain Rule says: if y=f(g(x)), then dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x). In words: differentiate the outer function, leaving the inner function untouched, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let's apply it step by step.
-
Identify the outer and inner functions.
Outer: f(u)=cosu, where u=sinx.
Inner: g(x)=sinx.
-
Differentiate the outer function with respect to its argument.
The derivative of cosu is −sinu. So f′(u)=−sinu.
Keep the inner function u=sinx inside: f′(g(x))=−sin(sinx).
-
Differentiate the inner function.
The derivative of sinx is cosx. So g′(x)=cosx.
-
Multiply the two derivatives.
By the Chain Rule:
dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x)=−sin(sinx)⋅cosx.
That's the complete derivative.
A common shortcut: think of the Chain Rule as "derivative of the outside, times derivative of the inside." For cos(something), the derivative is always −sin(something)⋅(derivative of something). Here, "something" is sinx, so we get −sin(sinx)⋅cosx.
A frequent mistake is to write −sin(cosx) instead of −sin(sinx). Remember: the outer derivative keeps the inner function exactly as it is — do not differentiate the inside again at this step. The sin inside the sin is just the original sinx, not cosx.
The derivative is −sin(sinx)⋅cosx.
Method: Differentiating a Trig Function of Another Trig Function
When both the outer and inner functions are trigonometric, the chain rule still applies exactly the same way — the only extra care needed is keeping track of which trig function belongs to the inner step and which to the outer.
Steps
Step 1: Name the outer and inner functions clearly
Let u denote the inner trigonometric expression, and treat the outer function as a function of u alone — do not expand or simplify u at this stage.
Step 2: Differentiate the outer function with respect to u
Apply the standard trig derivative rule, leaving the result written in terms of u (not yet substituted back).
Step 3: Differentiate the inner trig function with respect to x
Use the standard derivative of the inner trig function.
Step 4: Multiply the outer derivative by the inner derivative
dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu
Step 5: Substitute the inner expression back in for u
Write the final answer with the original inner trig expression restored — never leave u in the final answer, and double-check that the argument of the outer function's derivative is the inner function, not a re-differentiated version of it.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Swapping the inner and outer functions
Why it's wrong: writing −sin(cosx) instead of −sin(sinx) mixes up which trig function is inside and which is outside — the outer function here is cos, so its derivative −sin(⋅) must keep the same inner argument (sinx), not swap in cosx. Correct approach: before differentiating, explicitly write down u=sinx (the inner function) and keep referring to it as u until the very last substitution step, to avoid accidentally swapping the two trig functions.
Mistake 2: Dropping the negative sign from the derivative of cosine
Why it's wrong: the derivative of cosu is −sinu, not sinu — omitting the minus sign gives an answer with the wrong overall sign. Correct approach: always write the standard derivative dudcosu=−sinu from memory as a fixed fact before substituting anything in.
Showing the 12 most recent of 13 on this concept.
- 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 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 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 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 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 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-2025-04264 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).
- 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 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 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 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 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).
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