Q.Differentiate w.r.t. x: tan−1(secx+tanx), −2π<x<2π.
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Domain of a Composite Function
Picture a building with two doors: the first opens with a blue pass, the second with a red pass. Walking through f(g(x)) means passing the inner door g first, then the outer door f. The domain of the composite is simply: which inputs make it through both doors?
The intuition
Take f(x)=x and g(x)=x−5, so f(g(x))=x−5.
- The inner g(x)=x−5 accepts every real number.
- The outer f accepts only non-negative inputs.
So the real question is: which x make g(x) land inside the domain of f? The domain of the composite is not just the domain of g, nor just the domain of f — it is the overlap seen through g.
The precise statement
Domain(f∘g)={x∈Domain(g)∣g(x)∈Domain(f)}.
Two steps, in order:
- Keep only the x that g can handle.
- Among those, keep only the x for which g(x) is something f can handle.
A frequent mistake is to restrict x using the domain of f directly. The restriction comes from g(x) lying in Domain(f), not from x itself.
A worked check
For f(x)=x, g(x)=x−11:
- Domain of g: x=1.
- Outer condition: g(x)≥0⇒x−11≥0⇒x−1>0⇒x>1.
So Domain(f∘g)=(1,∞) — the condition from f already excludes x=1.
Order matters …
Concept: Chain Rule – differentiate the outer inverse tangent function, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Step 1: Let y=tan−1(secx+tanx). Then
dxdy=1+(secx+tanx)21⋅dxd(secx+tanx).
Step 2: Compute the inner derivative:
dxd(secx+tanx)=secxtanx+sec2x=secx(tanx+secx).
Step 3: Simplify the denominator:
1+(secx+tanx)2=1+sec2x+tan2x+2secxtanx.
Using sec2x=1+tan2x, this becomes …
The derivative simplifies to 21 for all x in the given interval because the expression tan−1(secx+tanx) reduces to 4π+2x using trigonometric identities and the chain rule.
The key insight here is that the function inside the inverse tangent can be rewritten in a much simpler form. When you see secx+tanx, think about the half-angle formulas — specifically, tan(4π+2x) expands to exactly this sum. This is not a coincidence; it's a standard trick for such problems.
Once you recognise that tan−1(secx+tanx)=4π+2x (for −2π<x<2π), differentiation becomes trivial. The chain rule is still at work, but the inner function's derivative is just 21, and the derivative of tan−1 of its argument is 1 because the argument is already an angle whose tangent matches.
Let's walk through it step by step.
- Rewrite the inner expression using a trigonometric identity. Recall that secx=cosx1 and tanx=cosxsinx. So:
secx+tanx=cosx1+sinx.
Now use the identities sinx=1+tan2(x/2)2tan(x/2) and cosx=1+tan2(x/2)1−tan2(x/2). Substituting:
1+t21−t21+1+t22twhere t=tan2x.
Simplify numerator: 1+1+t22t=1+t21+t2+2t=1+t2(1+t)2.
Denominator: 1+t21−t2.
So the whole fraction becomes:
1+t2(1+t)2⋅1−t21+t2=1−t2(1+t)2=(1−t)(1+t)(1+t)2=1−t1+t.
Hence secx+tanx=1−tan(x/2)1+tan(x/2).
- Recognise the tangent addition formula. Notice that 1−tanθ1+tanθ=tan(4π+θ) because:
tan(4π+θ)=1−tan4πtanθtan4π+tanθ=1−tanθ1+tanθ.
Here θ=2x, so:
secx+tanx=tan(4π+2x).
- Apply the inverse tangent. Since −2π<x<2π, we have 4π+2x lying between 0 and 2π (specifically, from 0 to 2π exclusive). In this range, tan−1(tanθ)=θ. Therefore: …
Method: Recognise secx+tanx as a Tangent of a Shifted Angle
Whenever you see secx+tanx (or a similar combination) inside an inverse trig function, check whether it matches a known tangent half-angle/addition pattern before differentiating directly — recognising the identity turns a messy chain-rule computation into differentiating a simple linear function.
Steps
Step 1: Rewrite in terms of t=tan(x/2)
Using sinx=1+t22t and cosx=1+t21−t2 (the standard tangent half-angle substitutions), secx+tanx simplifies to 1−t1+t.
Step 2: Match against the tangent addition formula
tan(4π+θ)=1−tanθ1+tanθ
With θ=x/2, this is exactly the form found in Step 1, so secx+tanx=tan(4π+2x).
Step 3: Apply tan−1(tanθ)=θ, checking the domain …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Applying tan−1(tanθ)=θ without checking the domain
Why it's wrong: this simplification is only valid when θ lies in the principal branch (−π/2,π/2); the given restriction on x exists precisely to guarantee this, and ignoring it risks an incorrect simplified form. Correct approach: always verify the stated domain places the simplified angle inside the principal branch before applying the identity.
Mistake 2: Going straight to direct chain-rule differentiation and making a sign or algebra slip
Why it's wrong: expanding 1+(secx+tanx)2 and simplifying it down to 2secx(secx+tanx) involves several trig-identity substitutions where a sign error easily creeps in, producing an answer that looks plausible but is wrong. Correct approach: prefer spotting the tan(4π+2x) identity first; if using the direct route, verify each algebraic step against a known identity rather than expanding freehand. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If A and B are the domain and range of a real valued function f(x)=1−∣x∣∣x∣, then A∪B= (A) (1,∞) (B) [0,∞) (C) (−1,∞) (D) R
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain is (−1,1) and the range is [0,∞), so their union is (−1,∞), which corresponds to option (C).
Concept & Intuition
We need the set of all allowed inputs (domain A) and the set of all possible outputs (range B) for f(x)=1−∣x∣∣x∣.
The absolute value and square root impose restrictions: the denominator must be real and non‑zero, and the expression under the square root must be positive.
Once we have A and B, we simply take their union.
Step‑by‑step reasoning
- Find the domain A
The function is real‑valued, so:
- The square root requires 1−∣x∣>0 (strictly positive, because denominator cannot be zero).
- This gives ∣x∣<1, i.e. −1<x<1.
- No other restrictions (the numerator ∣x∣ is always defined). Hence
A=(−1,1).
- Find the range B For x∈(−1,1), let t=∣x∣. Then t∈[0,1). The function becomes
f(t)=1−tt,t∈[0,1).
- At t=0: f(0)=0.
- As t→1−, denominator 1−t→0+, so f(t)→+∞.
- The function is continuous on [0,1) and strictly increasing (check derivative: f′(t)=2(1−t)3/22−t>0 for t<1). Therefore the range is all values from 0 upward:
B=[0,∞).
- Take the union A∪B …
- Find the domain A
The function is real‑valued, so:
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.The range of the real valued function f(x)=log3(5+4x−x2) is (A) (0,2) (B) [0,2] (C) (−∞,2] (D) [−1,5]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The range of f(x)=log3(5+4x−x2) is (−∞,2], because the quadratic inside the log has maximum 9 and the log base 3 of 9 is 2, while the quadratic can approach 0 from above, making the log tend to −∞.
Concept & Intuition
To find the range of a composite function like log3(quadratic), we first find the range of the inner expression (the quadratic), then see what outputs the outer logarithm can produce from those inputs. The logarithm is only defined for positive arguments, so we must also ensure the quadratic stays positive. The key is: the quadratic has a maximum (since it opens downward), and it can get arbitrarily close to 0 from above, so the log’s output ranges from −∞ up to the log of that maximum.
Step-by-step reasoning
-
Identify the inner function
Let g(x)=5+4x−x2. This is a quadratic that opens downward (coefficient of x2 is −1). The domain of f requires g(x)>0.
-
Find the maximum of g(x)
Complete the square:
g(x)=−(x2−4x)+5=−[(x−2)2−4]+5=−(x−2)2+9.
So the maximum value is 9 at x=2. Since the quadratic opens downward, it takes all values from −∞ up to 9, but we only care about the part where g(x)>0.
-
Determine the range of g(x) on its domain
Solve g(x)>0: −(x−2)2+9>0⟹(x−2)2<9⟹−1<x<5.
On this interval, g(x) goes from just above 0 (at the endpoints) up to 9 (at x=2). So the range of g (for x in the domain of f) is (0,9].
-
Apply the logarithm base 3 …
-
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.The values of x2+x−1x2−2x+1 do not lie in the interval (A) (−54,0) (B) (−∞,−54) (C) (0,∞) (D) (54,∞)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to treat the rational expression as a variable y, cross-multiply to form a quadratic in x, then enforce that the discriminant is non‑negative (since x is real). This yields the range of y, and the interval not covered is the answer: (A).
We want to find all possible real values of
y=x2+x−1x2−2x+1
as x runs over all real numbers for which the denominator is non‑zero. Then we see which of the given intervals is not part of that range.
1. Set up the equation
Write
y=x2+x−1x2−2x+1.
Cross‑multiply (valid when denominator ≠ 0):
y(x2+x−1)=x2−2x+1.
2. Rearrange into a quadratic in x
Bring all terms to one side:
yx2+yx−y−x2+2x−1=0.
Group powers of x:
(y−1)x2+(y+2)x−(y+1)=0.
3. Apply the discriminant condition
For a real x to exist (other than values that make the denominator zero, which we check separately), this quadratic must have a real solution.
- If y=1, the equation becomes linear: (1+2)x−(1+1)=0⇒3x−2=0⇒x=32. This is valid (denominator ≠ 0), so y=1 is in the range.
- For y=1, we require the discriminant Δ≥0:
Δ=(y+2)2+4(y−1)(y+1)≥0.
4. Simplify the discriminant
(y+2)2=y2+4y+4,
4(y−1)(y+1)=4(y2−1)=4y2−4.
Add them:
Δ=y2+4y+4+4y2−4=5y2+4y.
So the condition is
5y2+4y≥0.
5. Solve the inequality
Factor:
y(5y+4)≥0.
The roots are y=0 and y=−54. A quadratic with positive leading coefficient is ≥ 0 outside the interval between the roots:
y≤−54ory≥0. …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.The range of the function f(x)=log0.5(x4−2x2+3) is (A) (−∞,∞) (B) (−∞,−1] (C) [−1,∞) (D) [−1,1]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The range of f(x)=log0.5(x4−2x2+3) is [−1,∞) because the inner quadratic in x2 has minimum 2, so the argument ranges from 2 to ∞, and log0.5 of that gives values from −1 downward to −∞ — but careful: the base is less than 1, so the inequality flips.
We want the set of all possible output values of f(x)=log0.5(x4−2x2+3).
The key idea: first find the range of the inner expression g(x)=x4−2x2+3, then apply the logarithm with base 0.5 (which is decreasing) to that range.
1. Understand the inner function
Let t=x2≥0. Then
g(x)=x4−2x2+3=t2−2t+3.
This is a quadratic in t: t2−2t+3=(t−1)2+2.
Since t≥0, the minimum occurs at t=1 (which is inside the domain), giving
gmin=(1−1)2+2=2.
As t→∞, g→∞. So the range of g(x) is [2,∞).
TipThe expression x4−2x2+3 is always at least 2 — it never dips below. That’s because it’s (x2−1)2+2.
2. Apply the logarithm with base 0.5
The function h(y)=log0.5y is decreasing because 0<0.5<1.
That means: as y increases, h(y) decreases.
So if y runs from 2 to ∞, then h(y) runs from …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.The domain of the real valued function f(x)=x−[x]∣x∣−x is (A) Z (B) ϕ (C) R−Z (D) R
›Reveal solutionSolution
The function is defined only when the denominator is positive and real, which forces x−[x]>0, i.e., x not an integer. The numerator is always real. So the domain is all real numbers except integers: R−Z.
Concept & Intuition
We need the set of all real x for which f(x) is a real number. That means:
- The expression under any square root must be ≥0 (and for a denominator square root, strictly >0).
- The denominator cannot be zero.
Here the numerator is ∣x∣−x: ∣x∣ is defined for all real x (since ∣x∣≥0), so the numerator is always a real number. The only restriction comes from the denominator x−[x]: we need x−[x]>0 (strictly positive because it's in the denominator under a square root).
The quantity x−[x] is the fractional part of x, usually written {x}. It is always in [0,1), and equals 0 exactly when x is an integer. So the condition x−[x]>0 means x is not an integer.
Thus the domain is all real numbers except integers.
Step-by-step reasoning
-
Identify restrictions from the numerator
The numerator is ∣x∣−x. The square root ∣x∣ is defined for all real x because ∣x∣≥0. Subtraction of x is always allowed. So the numerator imposes no restriction on the domain.
-
Identify restrictions from the denominator
The denominator is x−[x]. For this to be a real number, we need the radicand x−[x]≥0. But since it's in the denominator, we also need x−[x]=0, i.e., x−[x]>0.
-
Interpret x−[x]
For any real x, [x] (the greatest integer less than or equal to x) satisfies [x]≤x<[x]+1. Hence 0≤x−[x]<1. The value x−[x]=0 occurs exactly when x is an integer (since then x=[x]). For all non-integer x, we have 0<x−[x]<1.
-
Apply the strict positivity condition …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=(x−2)(x−3)2x−3 is a real valued function then the value that f(x) does not take is (A) −10 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) −2
›Reveal solutionSolution
To find the value f(x) does not take, we determine the range of the function by expressing x in terms of y=f(x) and applying the condition for real x. The range is (−∞,−4−23]∪[−4+23,∞), and the value not in this range is −2.
Concept and Intuition
The problem asks for a value that the function f(x) does not take. This is equivalent to finding the range of the function f(x) and then identifying which of the given options falls outside this range.
To find the range of a real-valued function y=f(x), we typically follow these steps:
- Set y=f(x).
- Rearrange the equation to express x in terms of y. This often involves transforming the equation into a quadratic equation in x.
- For x to be a real number, the discriminant of the quadratic equation (if it's a quadratic) must be non-negative. This condition will give an inequality involving y, which defines the possible values y can take (i.e., the range).
- Consider any special cases, such as when the coefficient of x2 becomes zero, which would reduce the quadratic to a linear equation.
In this specific problem, f(x) is a rational function. When we set y=f(x) and clear the denominator, we will obtain a quadratic equation in x. The condition for x to be real will then restrict the possible values of y.
Step-by-step Derivation
-
Set y=f(x) and simplify:
We are given the function f(x)=(x−2)(x−3)2x−3.
First, expand the denominator: (x−2)(x−3)=x2−3x−2x+6=x2−5x+6.
So, we have y=x2−5x+62x−3.
The domain of f(x) is all real numbers x such that x=2 and x=3.
-
Rearrange into a quadratic equation in x:
Multiply both sides by the denominator:
y(x2−5x+6)=2x−3
yx2−5yx+6y=2x−3
Move all terms to one side to form a standard quadratic equation Ax2+Bx+C=0:
yx2−5yx−2x+6y+3=0
yx2−(5y+2)x+(6y+3)=0
-
Apply the discriminant condition for real x:
This is a quadratic equation in x. For x to be a real number, the discriminant (D) must be greater than or equal to zero (D≥0).
The coefficients are A=y, B=−(5y+2), and C=(6y+3).
For a quadratic equation Ax2+Bx+C=0, the discriminant is D=B2−4AC. For real solutions x, we must have D≥0.
Calculate the discriminant:
D=(−(5y+2))2−4(y)(6y+3)
D=(5y+2)2−4y(6y+3)
D=(25y2+20y+4)−(24y2+12y)
D=25y2+20y+4−24y2−12y
D=y2+8y+4
For real values of x, we must have D≥0:
y2+8y+4≥0
-
Solve the inequality for y:
To solve y2+8y+4≥0, first find the roots of the quadratic equation y2+8y+4=0 using the quadratic formula:
y=2A−B±B2−4AC
y=2(1)−8±82−4(1)(4)
y=2−8±64−16
y=2−8±48
y=2−8±43
y=−4±23
Let y1=−4−23 and y2=−4+23.
Since the parabola P(y)=y2+8y+4 opens upwards (coefficient of y2 is positive), P(y)≥0 when y is less than or equal to the smaller root or greater than or equal to the larger root.
So, the range of f(x) is (−∞,−4−23]∪[−4+23,∞). …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-FN1 markMCQQ.Let f(x)=1−x, g(x)=1−x1, h(x)=x1 be three functions, for x=0,1. If a function F(x) satisfies f(F(h(x)))=g(x), then (A) F(2022)=f(2022) (B) F(2022)=g(2022) (C) F(2022)=h(2022) (D) F(2022)=20221f(2022)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solving f(F(h(x)))=g(x) shows F=g, so F(2022)=g(2022).
Given f(x)=1−x, g(x)=1−x1, h(x)=x1.
Since f(u)=1−u, the condition f(F(h(x)))=g(x) becomes:
1−F(h(x))=1−x1
F(h(x))=1−1−x1=1−x(1−x)−1=1−x−x=x−1x
Let t=h(x)=x1, so x=t1. Substitute: …
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