Q.Find dxdy in the following: (3x2−9x+5)9
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.
The key idea is Implicit Differentiation — but here we have an explicit function of x, so we simply apply the chain rule.
Let y=(3x2−9x+5)9.
Differentiate the outer power first:
dxdy=9(3x2−9x+5)8⋅dxd(3x2−9x+5).
Now differentiate the inner polynomial:
dxd(3x2−9x+5)=6x−9.
Multiply:
dxdy=9(3x2−9x+5)8(6x−9).
Factor the constant: 6x−9=3(2x−3), so
dxdy=27(2x−3)(3x2−9x+5)8.
The derivative is 27(2x−3)(3x2−9x+5)8.
We use implicit differentiation on the equation y=(3x2−9x+5)9 by applying the chain rule: the derivative is 9(3x2−9x+5)8⋅(6x−9).
The problem asks for dxdy when y=(3x2−9x+5)9. This is a straightforward application of the chain rule — no implicit differentiation is actually needed here, since y is already expressed explicitly in terms of x. But the deeper idea is the same: we differentiate the "outer function" (the power of 9) and multiply by the derivative of the "inner function" (the quadratic).
Let’s walk through it.
- Identify the structure. We have y=[u(x)]9, where u(x)=3x2−9x+5. The chain rule says:
dxdy=9⋅[u(x)]8⋅u′(x).
- Differentiate the inner function. u(x)=3x2−9x+5 is a polynomial. Differentiate term by term:
u′(x)=6x−9.
(Recall: derivative of 3x2 is 6x, derivative of −9x is −9, derivative of constant 5 is 0.)
- Assemble the result. Substitute u(x) and u′(x) into the chain rule expression:
dxdy=9(3x2−9x+5)8⋅(6x−9).
- Simplify if desired. The factor (6x−9) can be factored as 3(2x−3), giving:
dxdy=9⋅3(2x−3)(3x2−9x+5)8=27(2x−3)(3x2−9x+5)8.
This is a cleaner form, but the previous expression is also perfectly acceptable.
A common mistake is to forget the chain rule and write dxdy=9(3x2−9x+5)8 — leaving out the derivative of the inside. Always check: if the argument is not just x, you must multiply by its derivative.
The chain rule is essentially "differentiate the outside, leave the inside alone, then multiply by the derivative of the inside." Think of it like peeling an onion: outermost layer first.
The derivative is 27(2x−3)(3x2−9x+5)8.
Method: The Chain Rule for a Composite Function
Whenever a function is "wrapped inside" another function — f(g(x)) — differentiate the outer function first (with respect to its own argument), then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the outer function and the inner function
Write y=f(u) where u=g(x) is everything "inside" the outermost operation.
Step 2: Differentiate the outer function with respect to u
Use the standard derivative rule for whatever the outer function is (log, power, trig, exponential, ...), keeping u untouched.
Step 3: Differentiate the inner function u with respect to x
Step 4: Multiply the two results
dxdy=dudy⋅dxdu.
If the inner function is itself composite (a function inside a function inside a function), repeat the process — multiply in one more derivative for each layer.
Applying to this problem: for y=(3x2−9x+5)9, the outer function is u9 with u=3x2−9x+5; dudy=9u8 and dxdu=6x−9, so dxdy=9(3x2−9x+5)8(6x−9), which factors to 27(2x−3)(3x2−9x+5)8.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to multiply by the derivative of the inner polynomial.
Why it's wrong: writing 9(3x2−9x+5)8 alone (applying only the power rule to the outer power) leaves out the essential (6x−9) factor from the inner function. Correct approach: always differentiate what's inside the parentheses as its own explicit step.
Mistake 2: Leaving the constant un-factored, risking a copying error in the final boxed answer.
Why it's wrong: 9(6x−9) can be simplified to 27(2x−3), and skipping this factoring step (while not incorrect) makes it easy to mis-transcribe the coefficient when writing the final answer. Correct approach: factor common constants out before finalising.
Showing the 12 most recent of 13 on this concept.
- 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 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-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.Let h(x)=f(g(x)). If f′(3)=6, g′(3)=3 and g(3)=9, then the value of h′(3) is equal to (A) 1 (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 9 (E) 18
›Reveal solutionSolution
By the chain rule h'(3) = f'(3)g'(3)/(2sqrt(g(3))) = 6*3/6 = 3.
Concept and Intuition
h(x) = f(sqrt(g(x))) is a triple composition; differentiate outer-to-inner, picking up the derivative of the square root and of g.
Step-by-Step Solution
- h'(x) = f'(sqrt(g(x))) * d/dx[sqrt(g(x))] = f'(sqrt(g)) * g'(x)/(2*sqrt(g(x))).
- At x = 3: g(3) = 9 so sqrt(g) = 3, f'(3) = 6, g'(3) = 3.
- h'(3) = 6 * 3/(2*3) = 6 * 3/6 = 3.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the 1/(2*sqrt(g)) factor from the square root.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 3.
ANSWER: B
- 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-2025-04264 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-2025-04264 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 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 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 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 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 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
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