Q.Find dxdy in the following: sin(ax+b)
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(ax+b).
The outer function is sinu, whose derivative is cosu.
The inner function is u=ax+b, whose derivative is a.
Applying the chain rule:
dxdy=cos(ax+b)⋅a
The derivative is acos(ax+b).
Use the Chain Rule: differentiate the outer sine function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner linear function ax+b. The result is acos(ax+b).
The problem asks for the derivative of sin(ax+b) with respect to x. This is a classic composition of two functions: an outer sine function and an inner linear function ax+b. The Chain Rule is the natural tool here — it tells us to differentiate the outer function first, leaving the inner untouched, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
-
Identify the composition.
We have y=sin(u) where u=ax+b.
The outer function is sin(u), and the inner function is u=ax+b.
-
Differentiate the outer function with respect to its argument.
The derivative of sin(u) with respect to u is cos(u).
So, dudy=cos(u).
-
Differentiate the inner function with respect to x.
The derivative of ax+b with respect to x is simply a (since b is constant).
So, dxdu=a.
-
Apply the Chain Rule.
The Chain Rule states:
dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu
Substituting what we have:
dxdy=cos(u)⋅a=acos(ax+b)
A quick mental shortcut: for any function of the form sin(kx+c), the derivative is kcos(kx+c). The constant c vanishes because its derivative is zero. This pattern extends to cos, tan, etc.
A common mistake is to forget the factor a and write just cos(ax+b). Always check: the derivative of the inner linear term must multiply the outer derivative. If the inner function were something like x2, the factor would be 2x, not just 1.
The derivative is acos(ax+b).
Method: Differentiating a Trig Function of a Linear Expression
This is the simplest chain-rule case, and it produces a reusable pattern worth memorising: the derivative of sin(kx+c) (or cos, tan, etc.) is always the outer derivative times the constant k.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the inner linear expression
Write the argument of the trig function as u=(coefficient)⋅x+(constant).
Step 2: Differentiate the outer trig function with respect to u
Apply the standard rule (e.g. dudsinu=cosu), keeping the result in terms of u.
Step 3: Differentiate the inner linear expression with respect to x
The derivative of (coefficient)⋅x+(constant) is simply the coefficient — the additive constant contributes nothing, since its derivative is zero.
Step 4: Multiply and substitute back
dxdy=(outer derivative in terms of u)×(coefficient),then replace u with the original linear expression.
Step 5: Recognise the reusable pattern
For any sin(kx+c), the derivative is always kcos(kx+c) — the same pattern extends directly to cos(kx+c)→−ksin(kx+c) and other trig functions, so this shortcut is worth remembering rather than re-deriving each time.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to multiply by the coefficient a
Why it's wrong: writing dxdy=cos(ax+b) without the leading factor of a ignores the inner derivative of the linear expression ax+b, which is a (not 1). Correct approach: always compute the inner derivative separately — even when it looks like a trivial linear expression, its derivative (the coefficient) must still be multiplied into the final answer.
Mistake 2: Treating the constant b as if it contributes to the derivative
Why it's wrong: some students mistakenly think a nonzero constant b should appear somewhere in the final derivative — but the derivative of any additive constant is always zero, so b only affects the argument of the cosine, never the multiplying factor out front. Correct approach: remember that only the coefficient of x (here, a) survives differentiation of a linear inner function; any purely additive constant disappears completely.
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 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-2025-04284 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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-2024-06084 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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