Q.Find dxdy in the following: sinxex
Concept understanding — Derivative Evaluation
Derivative Evaluation
To evaluate a derivative means to find f′(a) — a single number that tells you how fast f is changing right at x=a. Think of a speedometer: it doesn't report how far you've travelled, only how fast your position is changing at this instant. That instantaneous rate of change is exactly what f′(a) measures.
The geometric picture
On the curve y=f(x), pick a point P and a nearby point Q. The straight line through them — the secant — has slope equal to the average rate of change between P and Q. Now slide Q toward P: the secant rotates into the tangent line that just touches the curve at P, and its slope is f′(a).
f′(a) is the slope of the tangent to y=f(x) at x=a — how steep the curve is right there.
The limit definition
f′(a)=limh→0hf(a+h)−f(a)
Here h is a tiny step from a to a+h, the numerator is the matching change in height, and the ratio is a secant slope. As h→0 the secant becomes the tangent. An equivalent form is
f′(a)=limx→ax−af(x)−f(a).
When this limit exists, f is differentiable at a (which forces continuity there).
Continuity alone is not enough. f(x)=∣x∣ is continuous at 0, but its left slope −1 and right slope +1 disagree, so f′(0) does not exist — a corner has no single tangent.
A worked evaluation
For f(x)=x2 at x=3:
f′(3)=limh→0h(3+h)2−9=limh→0(6+h)=6.
So the tangent at x=3 has slope 6.
From a number to a function
If f is differentiable at every point of an interval, the slopes themselves form a new function f′(x) — the derivative function. For f(x)=x2 this is f′(x)=2x, and at x=3 it gives 6, matching the limit calculation. In practice you evaluate derivatives with standard rules (power, product, quotient, chain), but the limit is the reason those rules work.
Whichever route you take, f′(a) answers the same three questions: how fast is f changing at a, what is the tangent slope at a, and what is the instantaneous rate of change at a.
Evaluating a derivative from its limit definition is introduced in the CBSE Class 11 chapter on Limits and Derivatives and built upon throughout Class 12 differentiation, making it one of the most tested skills across the NCERT Mathematics curriculum. "Derivative by first principles class 11" and "find f'(a) using the limit definition" are common student searches, and this same limit-based reasoning underlies differentiation questions in JEE Main.
The key idea is Implicit Differentiation — but here the function is already explicit, so we simply differentiate using the quotient rule.
Let y=sinxex.
Step 1: Apply the quotient rule:
dxdy=sin2x(sinx)(ex)′−(ex)(sinx)′.
Step 2: Differentiate:
(ex)′=ex, (sinx)′=cosx.
Step 3: Substitute:
dxdy=sin2xexsinx−excosx=ex⋅sin2xsinx−cosx.
The derivative is ex⋅sin2xsinx−cosx.
We differentiate y=sinxex using the quotient rule (or rewrite as excscx and use the product rule). The derivative is dxdy=sin2xex(sinx−cosx), which simplifies to ex(cscx−cotxcscx).
The problem asks for dxdy of y=sinxex. This is a straightforward derivative of a quotient of two functions: ex in the numerator and sinx in the denominator. The natural tool here is the quotient rule, but we could also rewrite the function as ex⋅cscx and use the product rule — both lead to the same result.
Let’s work through it step by step.
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Identify the functions.
Let u=ex and v=sinx. Then y=vu.
-
Recall the quotient rule.
For y=vu,
dxdy=v2vdxdu−udxdv.
This formula comes from the limit definition of the derivative, but the intuition is: the rate of change of a ratio depends on how fast the top and bottom change relative to each other.
-
Compute the derivatives.
- dxdu=dxdex=ex (the exponential function is its own derivative).
- dxdv=dxdsinx=cosx.
-
Plug into the quotient rule.
dxdy=(sinx)2(sinx)(ex)−(ex)(cosx).
- Simplify the numerator. Factor out ex:
dxdy=sin2xex(sinx−cosx).
This is a perfectly acceptable final form. However, we can also write it in terms of cosecant and cotangent if desired:
dxdy=ex(sinx1−sin2xcosx)=ex(cscx−cotxcscx).
If you prefer the product rule, rewrite y=ex⋅cscx. Then dxdy=excscx+ex(−cscxcotx)=excscx(1−cotx), which is equivalent after simplification.
A common mistake is to misplace the minus sign in the quotient rule. Remember: it’s “bottom times derivative of top minus top times derivative of bottom,” not the other way around. Also, don’t forget to square the denominator.
The derivative is dxdy=sin2xex(sinx−cosx).
Method: The Quotient Rule for Ratios of Standard Functions
Use this method whenever y is written as one differentiable function divided by another, and there's no obvious simplification that removes the division.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the numerator and denominator
Write y=vu and clearly name u and v (here u=ex, v=sinx).
Step 2: Recall and apply the quotient rule formula
dxdy=v2vdxdu−udxdv
The order matters: it's "bottom times derivative of top, minus top times derivative of bottom," all over the bottom squared.
Step 3: Differentiate u and v separately using standard derivative rules
Compute dxdu and dxdv independently before combining — this keeps errors isolated and easy to check.
Step 4: Substitute into the formula and simplify
Plug the two derivatives into the quotient-rule formula, then factor out any common terms (such as ex) to present the answer in its simplest form.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Swapping the order of subtraction in the quotient rule
Why it's wrong: writing udv−vdu instead of vdu−udv flips the sign of the whole result. Correct approach: always say it out loud as "bottom times d(top) minus top times d(bottom)" before writing the formula.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to square the denominator
Why it's wrong: the quotient rule's denominator is v2, not v — omitting the square gives a dimensionally wrong derivative. Correct approach: write the full formula with v2 first, then fill in the pieces.
Mistake 3: Not factoring out the common term at the end
Why it's wrong: leaving the answer as sin2xexsinx−excosx instead of sin2xex(sinx−cosx) isn't incorrect, but it can cause mismatches when comparing to a marking scheme or textbook answer key that expects the factored form. Correct approach: always check for a common factor in the numerator before finalizing.
Showing the 12 most recent of 27 on this concept.
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04174 marksMCQQ.The point P(x,y), where y=4loge(2), lies on the curve with equation y=loge(x3+24). Then the value of dxdy at the point P is (A) 8−3 (B) 83 (C) 4−3 (D) 43 (E) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find x from y=4loge2, then evaluate dxdy=x3+243x2.
Since y=4loge2=loge16 and y=loge(x3+24), we get x3+24=16⇒x3=−8⇒x=−2.
Differentiating y=loge(x3+24): dxdy=x3+243x2.
At x=−2: −8+243(4)=1612=43.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.The point P lies on the curve with equation y=x2loge(x), x>0. If dxdy=2 at x=k, then the value of k is equal to (A) −e (B) e (C) e (D) 2e (E) 2e
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating y=x2logx gives 2logx+2logx1; setting it to 2 gives 2logx=1, i.e. x=e.
Write y=xu with u=(2logx)1/2. Then
u′=21(2logx)−1/2⋅x2=x2logx1,
so dxdy=u+xu′=2logx+2logx1.
Let w=2logx. Setting w+w1=2 gives w2−2w+1=0, i.e. (w−1)2=0, so w=1. Then 2logx=1, logx=21, and x=k=e.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQQ.Let y=xsin2πx. Then at x=1, dxdy is equal to (A) −1 (B) 0 (C) −2 (D) 2 (E) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Take logs, differentiate, and evaluate at x=1 where log1=0 kills one term.
y=xsin2πx, so logy=sin2πxlogx.
y1dxdy=2πcos2πxlogx+sin2πx⋅x1.
At x=1: cos2π=0 (first term vanishes) and sin2π=1, so yy′=1. Since y(1)=11=1, dxdy=1.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E).
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04214 marksMCQQ.If y=log(x+2x−1) then dxdy= (A) 2(x−1)(x+2)1 (B) 2(x−1)(x+2)3 (C) (x−1)(x+2)3 (D) (x−1)(x+2)1 (E) 3(x−1)(x+2)1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use log rules to split, differentiate, and combine: dxdy=2(x−1)(x+2)3.
y=logx+2x−1=21[log(x−1)−log(x+2)].
Differentiate: dxdy=21[x−11−x+21].
Combine: x−11−x+21=(x−1)(x+2)(x+2)−(x−1)=(x−1)(x+2)3.
So dxdy=2(x−1)(x+2)3.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04214 marksMCQQ.If y=log10x+logex, then dxdy is equal to (A) x1−log10e (B) x1+loge10 (C) x+log10e (D) x+loge10 (E) x1[loge101+1]
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate each log term; dxdy=x1[loge101+1].
log10x=loge10logex, so dxdlog10x=xloge101 (equivalently xlog10e).
dxdlogex=x1.
Adding: dxdy=xloge101+x1=x1[loge101+1].
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.Let f(x)=∣sin3x∣−∣cos3x∣, where 6π≤x≤3π. Then the value of f′(4π) is equal to (A) −32 (B) 32 (C) 2−3 (D) 23 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Near x=pi/4, f simplifies to sin3x+cos3x, giving f'(pi/4) = -3*sqrt(2).
Concept and Intuition
To differentiate an absolute value, first resolve the signs of the inner functions on the relevant interval, then differentiate the resulting smooth expression. Here 3x = 3pi/4 lies in the second quadrant.
Step-by-Step Solution
- At x = pi/4, 3x = 3pi/4, where sin3x > 0 and cos3x < 0.
- So |sin3x| = sin3x and |cos3x| = -cos3x, giving f(x) = sin3x - (-cos3x) = sin3x + cos3x.
- Differentiate: f'(x) = 3cos3x - 3sin3x.
- At 3x = 3pi/4: cos = -sqrt(2)/2, sin = sqrt(2)/2, so f' = 3(-sqrt(2)/2) - 3(sqrt(2)/2) = -3*sqrt(2).
Common Mistakes
- Dropping the sign flip on |cos3x| when cos3x is negative.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — -3*sqrt(2).
ANSWER: A
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.Let f(x)=(cos2x)(a+cosx). If f′(3π)=0 then the value of a is equal to (A) 23 (B) 43 (C) 4−3 (D) 2−3 (E) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Setting f'(pi/3)=0 for f=cos^2 x (a+cos x) gives a = -3/4.
Concept and Intuition
Differentiate the product cos^2 x times (a+cos x), evaluate at pi/3 using cos(pi/3)=1/2, sin(pi/3)=sqrt(3)/2, and solve for a.
Step-by-Step Solution
- f'(x) = 2cos x(-sin x)(a+cos x) + cos^2 x(-sin x) = -2 cos x sin x (a+cos x) - cos^2 x sin x.
- At x = pi/3: cos = 1/2, sin = sqrt(3)/2.
- f' = -2(1/2)(sqrt3/2)(a+1/2) - (1/4)(sqrt3/2) = -(sqrt3/2)(a+1/2) - sqrt3/8.
- Set = 0 and divide by sqrt3: -(1/2)(a+1/2) - 1/8 = 0, i.e. -a/2 - 1/4 - 1/8 = 0, so a/2 = -3/8, a = -3/4.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the second product-rule term cos^2 x * (-sin x).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — -3/4.
ANSWER: C
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04254 marksMCQQ.If y=sec(tan−1x), then dxdy at x=3 is equal to (A) 323 (B) 21 (C) 2 (D) 23 (E) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify sec(tan−1x)=1+x2, differentiate to 1+x2x, then substitute x=3.
Let θ=tan−1x so tanθ=x. Then secθ=1+tan2θ=1+x2, hence
y=1+x2.
Differentiating,
dxdy=21+x21⋅2x=1+x2x.
At x=3: 1+33=23.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04254 marksMCQQ.If f(x)=1+cos2x2sinx, then f′(6π)= (A) 41 (B) 32 (C) 34 (D) 21 (E) 43
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use 1+cos2x=2cos2x to simplify f to tanx near x=π/6, then f′=sec2x.
Since 1+cos2x=2cos2x,
f(x)=2cos2x2sinx=2∣cosx∣2sinx=∣cosx∣sinx.
Near x=π/6, cosx>0, so f(x)=tanx and
f′(x)=sec2x.
At x=π/6: sec26π=cos2(π/6)1=3/41=34.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04284 marksMCQQ.If y=sin−1(2x1−x2), then dxdy at x=0 is (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 23 (E) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=sinθ gives y=2sin−1x, so y′=1−x22=2 at x=0.
Let x=sinθ. Then 2x1−x2=2sinθcosθ=sin2θ, so near x=0,
y=sin−1(sin2θ)=2θ=2sin−1x.
Differentiating,
dxdy=1−x22.
At x=0,
dxdy=12=2.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04294 marksMCQQ.If log2y=x, then dxdy is equal to (A) 2xloge2 (B) 2x (C) x2 (D) 2x (E) logey2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
log2y=x means y=2x; differentiating 2x gives 2xloge2.
From log2y=x we get y=2x.
Differentiating an exponential ax gives axlna, so
dxdy=2xloge2.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04294 marksMCQQ.The derivative of y=(x−1)(2x−1)(3−x)(4−x) at x=21 is equal to (A) 35 (B) 4−35 (C) 2−35 (D) 435 (E) 235
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since (2x−1)=0 at x=21, every product-rule term keeping that factor vanishes; only differentiating (2x−1) survives, giving y′=−435.
Write y=(x−1)(2x−1)(3−x)(4−x). By the product rule, y′ is a sum of four terms, each differentiating one factor and keeping the others. At x=21 the factor (2x−1)=0, so every term still containing (2x−1) is zero. Only the term differentiating (2x−1) (derivative =2) remains:
y′1/2=(x−1)⋅2⋅(3−x)(4−x)1/2.
Compute:
=(−21)(2)(25)(27)=(−1)⋅435=−435.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
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