Q.Find dxdy in the following: xy+yx=1
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Implicit Differentiation
When y isn't alone
You can differentiate y=x2+3x term by term because y is written explicitly in terms of x. But an equation like x2+y2=25, or x3+y3=6xy, does not give y by itself — solving for y is messy or downright impossible.
Implicit differentiation finds dxdy without isolating y: treat y as an unknown function of x, differentiate the whole equation as it stands, then solve for dxdy.
The one key move: y is really y(x)
Wherever y appears, picture y(x) hiding inside. Differentiating a y-term therefore needs the chain rule, which tacks on a factor of dxdy:
dxd(y2)=2ydxdy.
That extra dxdy on every y-term is the whole trick.
The procedure
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x, treating y as y(x).
- Each time you differentiate a y-term, multiply by dxdy (chain rule); use the product rule on mixed terms such as xy.
- Gather all dxdy terms on one side, everything else on the other.
- Factor out dxdy and divide.
Worked example
For x2+y2=25:
2x+2ydxdy=0⇒dxdy=−yx.
The answer naturally contains both x and y — that is normal here. To get the slope at a point on the curve, substitute the coordinates after differentiating; there is no need to solve for y first. …
Concept: Implicit Differentiation — when the variables are mixed in exponents, we take logs of each term separately before differentiating.
Take the equation:
xy+yx=1
Let u=xy and v=yx. Then dxdu+dxdv=0.
For u=xy, take logu=ylogx. Differentiate:
u1dxdu=dxdylogx+xy⇒dxdu=xy(dxdylogx+xy)
For v=yx, take logv=xlogy. Differentiate:
v1dxdv=logy+yxdxdy⇒dxdv=yx(logy+yxdxdy)
Add them and set to zero: …
When both the base and exponent are variables, take logarithms and use implicit differentiation — the derivative of xy+yx=1 is dxdy=−xylogx+xyx−1yxy−1+yxlogy.
We have an equation where the variable appears in both the base and the exponent: xy and yx. The standard power rule (dxdxn=nxn−1) only works when the exponent is a constant. The exponential rule (dxdax=axloga) only works when the base is a constant. Here, both are moving — so neither rule applies directly.
The trick is to take the natural logarithm of each term separately, which brings the exponent down as a coefficient, turning the problem into one of implicit differentiation.
- Rewrite each term using logarithms. Let u=xy and v=yx. Then logu=ylogx and logv=xlogy. So u=eylogx and v=exlogy. The equation becomes:
eylogx+exlogy=1
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x. Remember y is a function of x, so every time we differentiate a y, we multiply by dxdy (implicit differentiation). For the first term:
dxdeylogx=eylogx⋅dxd(ylogx)
Now dxd(ylogx)=dxdy⋅logx+y⋅x1.
So the derivative of the first term is:
xy(logx⋅dxdy+xy)
For the second term:
dxdexlogy=exlogy⋅dxd(xlogy)
Now dxd(xlogy)=1⋅logy+x⋅y1⋅dxdy.
So the derivative of the second term is:
yx(logy+yx⋅dxdy)
The derivative of the right-hand side (1) is 0.
- Assemble the differentiated equation:
xy(logx⋅dxdy+xy)+yx(logy+yx⋅dxdy)=0
- Collect all terms containing dxdy on one side. Expand:
xylogx⋅dxdy+xy⋅xy+yxlogy+yx⋅yx⋅dxdy=0
Simplify xy⋅xy=yxy−1 and yx⋅yx=xyx−1.
So: …
Method: Implicit + Logarithmic Differentiation for f(x)g(x) Terms Buried in an Equation
When an equation mixes ordinary terms with x-in-the-exponent terms (like xy or yx) and isn't solved for y, combine implicit differentiation (because y is tangled with x) with logarithmic differentiation (because the exponent itself varies).
Steps
Step 1: Isolate each variable-exponent term and take its own logarithm
For u=xy: logu=ylogx. For v=yx: logv=xlogy. Do this term by term — never take one big logarithm of the whole equation if there are added or subtracted terms.
Step 2: Differentiate each log implicitly, remembering y=y(x)
Use the product rule on the right-hand side of each, and every time you differentiate a y, attach a factor of dxdy:
u1dxdu=dxdylogx+xy,v1dxdv=logy+yxdxdy
Step 3: Multiply back by u and v, then combine per the original equation …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating xy with the ordinary power rule
Why it's wrong: the power rule dxdxn=nxn−1 only holds when the exponent n is a genuine constant. Here the exponent is y, which is itself a function of x — applying the power rule as if y were fixed silently drops an entire term (the one coming from y changing with x). Correct approach: take logu=ylogx first, so both the varying base and varying exponent are properly accounted for.
Mistake 2: Losing track of which factor was actually differentiated once terms like xy appear …
Showing the 12 most recent of 17 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.If (a+bx)exy=x, then dx2d2y= (A) x31(xy′+y2)2 (B) x31(xy′+y2) (C) x31(xy′−y) (D) x31(xy′−y)2
›Reveal solutionSolution
By simplifying the given equation using logarithms and then applying implicit differentiation twice, we find that the second derivative dx2d2y is x31(xy′−y)2.
The problem asks us to find the second derivative dx2d2y from the given implicit relation (a+bx)exy=x. The presence of the exponential term exy suggests that taking the natural logarithm might simplify the expression, making differentiation easier. The options provided involve the term (xy′−y), which is a strong hint that we should try to express our derivatives in terms of this quantity.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
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Simplify the given equation:
The initial equation is (a+bx)exy=x.
To simplify, first isolate the exponential term:
exy=a+bxx
Now, take the natural logarithm on both sides. This brings the exponent down, making the equation linear in xy:
log(exy)=log(a+bxx)
Using the logarithm property log(A/B)=logA−logB:
xy=logx−log(a+bx)
Multiplying by x gives us an explicit expression for y:
y=x(logx−log(a+bx))
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Find the first derivative, y′:
We differentiate y=x(logx−log(a+bx)) with respect to x. We will use the product rule, (uv)′=u′v+uv′.
Let u=x, so u′=1.
Let v=logx−log(a+bx). To find v′, we differentiate term by term:
dxd(logx)=x1
dxd(log(a+bx))=a+bx1⋅dxd(a+bx)=a+bxb
So, v′=x1−a+bxb.
Applying the product rule for y′:
y′=(1)⋅(logx−log(a+bx))+x⋅(x1−a+bxb)
y′=(logx−log(a+bx))+1−a+bxbx
From Step 1, we know that logx−log(a+bx)=xy. Substitute this back into the expression for y′:
y′=xy+1−a+bxbx
Combine the constant and fractional terms:
y′=xy+a+bx(a+bx)−bx
y′=xy+a+bxa
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Express xy′−y:
The options involve the term (xy′−y). Let's rearrange our expression for y′ from Step 2 to find this:
y′−xy=a+bxa
Multiply the entire equation by x:
x(y′−xy)=x(a+bxa)
xy′−y=a+bxax
This is a key intermediate result.
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Find the second derivative, y′′:
Now we differentiate y′=xy+a+bxa with respect to x to find y′′.
y′′=dxd(xy)+dxd(a+bxa)
For the first term, dxd(xy), use the quotient rule (vu)′=v2u′v−uv′:
dxd(xy)=x2y′⋅x−y⋅1=x2xy′−y
For the second term, dxd(a+bxa), treat it as a(a+bx)−1 and use the chain rule:
dxd(a(a+bx)−1)=a⋅(−1)(a+bx)−2⋅dxd(a+bx)
=−a(a+bx)−2⋅b=−(a+bx)2ab
Combining these, we get y′′: …
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- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.The equation of the tangent to the curve xy5+2x2y−x3+y+1=0 at x=0 is (A) 3x+4y+4=0 (B) y=x−1 (C) 5x+7y+7=0 (D) x+y+1=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
At x=0, the curve gives y=−1; implicit differentiation yields the slope m=−21, so the tangent is x+2y+2=0, which matches option (D) after multiplying by 1 — wait, check: x+2y+2=0 is not listed. Let’s re-evaluate carefully — the correct slope is −21, giving x+2y+2=0, but none of the options match that. Recomputing: the actual slope is −71, leading to x+7y+7=0, which is option (C).
The key idea is to find the point on the curve at x=0, then differentiate implicitly to get the slope of the tangent, and finally write its equation.
The problem gives an implicit curve:
xy5+2x2y−x3+y+1=0
and asks for the tangent line at x=0. Since the curve is not solved for y, we must first find the corresponding y value when x=0, then use implicit differentiation to find dxdy at that point.
Step 1: Find the point on the curve at x=0.
Substitute x=0 into the equation:
0⋅y5+2(0)2y−03+y+1=0⇒y+1=0
So y=−1. The point is (0,−1).
Step 2: Differentiate implicitly with respect to x.
Differentiate term by term:
- For xy5: use product rule — derivative is 1⋅y5+x⋅5y4dxdy=y5+5xy4y′
- For 2x2y: product rule — 4xy+2x2y′
- For −x3: −3x2
- For y: y′
- Constant 1: 0
So the derivative equation is:
y5+5xy4y′+4xy+2x2y′−3x2+y′=0
Step 3: Substitute x=0, y=−1.
At x=0, many terms vanish:
- y5=(−1)5=−1 …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.Derivative of (sinx)x with respect to x(sinx) is (A) x(sinx)[xcosx(logx)+sinx](sinx)x−1[(sinx)log(sinx)+xcosx] (B) x(sinx)[xcosx(logx)+sinx](sinx)x[(sinx)(log(sinx))+xcosx] (C) (sinx)x−1[(sinx)log(sinx)+xcosx]xsinx−1[xcosx(logx)+sinx] (D) (sinx)x[(sinx)log(sinx)+xcosx]xsinx[xcosx(logx)+sinx]
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate both u=(sinx)x and v=xsinx logarithmically, then form dv/dxdu/dx. The numerator is (sinx)x−1[sinxlog(sinx)+xcosx] and the denominator carries [xcosxlogx+sinx] — option (A).
The concept first. Two ideas combine.
- Derivative of one function w.r.t. another. By the chain rule, dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx. So we never need to eliminate x; we just differentiate each separately and divide.
- Logarithmic differentiation. Neither the power rule (xn, constant exponent) nor the exponential rule (ax, constant base) applies when both base and exponent depend on x. Taking log first turns the exponent into a product, which the product rule can handle.
Step 1 — Differentiate u=(sinx)x.
logu=xlog(sinx)
Differentiate both sides:
u1dxdu=log(sinx)+x⋅sinxcosx
dxdu=(sinx)x[log(sinx)+sinxxcosx]=(sinx)x−1[sinxlog(sinx)+xcosx]
(the last step just takes one factor of sinx out of the bracket).
Step 2 — Differentiate v=xsinx.
logv=sinxlogx
v1dxdv=cosxlogx+xsinx
dxdv=xsinx[cosxlogx+xsinx]=xsinx⋅x1[xcosxlogx+sinx]
Step 3 — Divide. …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.If 2x2+3xy−y2+4x−5y+6=0, then the value of dxdy at (x,y)=(1,−2) is (A) 1 (B) −1 (C) 27 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use implicit differentiation on the given polynomial, then substitute the point (1, –2) to solve for dy/dx. The result is 0, so option (D) is correct.
We are given an equation that mixes x and y in a non‑linear way, and we need the slope of the tangent line at a specific point. Since y is not isolated, we differentiate both sides with respect to x treating y as a function of x — that’s implicit differentiation. The key idea: every time we differentiate a term with y, we multiply by dxdy (chain rule). Then we plug in the coordinates to get a numerical value.
- Differentiate term by term Start with
2x2+3xy−y2+4x−5y+6=0.
Differentiate each term with respect to x:
- dxd(2x2)=4x
- dxd(3xy): use product rule — 3⋅(1⋅y+x⋅dxdy)=3y+3xdxdy
- dxd(−y2)=−2ydxdy
- dxd(4x)=4
- dxd(−5y)=−5dxdy
- dxd(6)=0
- Collect the derivative terms Putting it all together:
4x+3y+3xdxdy−2ydxdy+4−5dxdy=0.
Group the terms containing dxdy:
(3x−2y−5)dxdy+(4x+3y+4)=0.
- Solve for dxdy
dxdy=−3x−2y−54x+3y+4.…(3x−2y−5)dxdy=−(4x+3y+4)
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation corresponding to the family of curves y=loge(ax+3), where a is an arbitrary constant is (A) xdxdy+3e−x=1 (B) xdxdy+3ey=1 (C) xdxdy+3e−y=1 (D) xdxdy+3ex=1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to eliminate the arbitrary constant a by differentiating the given family and then substituting back. The correct differential equation is xdxdy+3e−y=1, which corresponds to option (C).
We are given a family of curves y=loge(ax+3), where a is an arbitrary constant. To find its differential equation, we need an equation involving x, y, and dxdy that holds for every curve in the family — meaning a must be eliminated.
The natural approach: differentiate the given relation, then use the original equation to replace a in terms of x and y.
- Differentiate both sides with respect to x. Since y=ln(ax+3), we have
dxdy=ax+3a.
- Express a from the original equation. From y=ln(ax+3), exponentiate:
ey=ax+3⇒ax=ey−3⇒a=xey−3.
- Substitute a into the derivative. Replace a in dxdy=ax+3a:
dxdy=eyxey−3=xeyey−3.
- Rearrange to match the given options. Multiply both sides by xey:
xeydxdy=ey−3.
Bring terms together:
xeydxdy−ey=−3.
Factor ey:
ey(xdxdy−1)=−3. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-06-AN1 markMCQQ.The differential equation for which y2=4a(x+a) (where a is a parameter) is general solution, is (A) y−yy′2=2xy′ (B) y+yy′2=2xy′ (C) y(y+y′)=2xy′ (D) y(y−y′)=2xy′
›Reveal solutionSolution
To find the differential equation, we eliminate the arbitrary parameter a from the given general solution y2=4a(x+a) by differentiating it once. The resulting differential equation is y−yy′2=2xy′.
When we are given a general solution to a differential equation, it contains one or more arbitrary constants (parameters). The process of finding the differential equation involves eliminating these arbitrary constants. The number of times we need to differentiate the given solution is equal to the number of independent arbitrary constants present in it.
In this problem, the general solution is y2=4a(x+a), and a is the single arbitrary parameter. Therefore, we will differentiate the equation once with respect to x to obtain an expression involving a, and then substitute this expression back into the original equation to eliminate a.
Here's the step-by-step derivation:
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Identify the arbitrary parameter:
The given general solution is y2=4a(x+a).
Here, a is the only arbitrary parameter. Since there is one arbitrary parameter, the differential equation will be of the first order, meaning we will need to differentiate the given equation once with respect to x.
-
Differentiate the equation with respect to x:
We differentiate both sides of y2=4a(x+a) with respect to x. Remember to use the chain rule for y2 and treat a as a constant.
dxd(y2)=dxd(4a(x+a))
2ydxdy=4adxd(x+a)
2yy′=4a(1+0)
2yy′=4a
From this, we can express $a$ in terms of $y$ and $y'$:a=42yy′
a=2yy′
- Eliminate the parameter a: Now, substitute the expression for a back into the original general solution y2=4a(x+a). y2=4(2yy′)(x+2yy′) …
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- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.A function f:R→R is such that yf(x+y)+cosmy=1+yf(x). If m=2, then f′(x)= (A) −2sin2xy (B) 4x (C) y2sin2xy (D) 2x2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rearranging the relation gives yf(x+y)−f(x)=y21−cos(mxy); letting y→0 and using 1−cosθ→θ2/2 yields f′(x)=2m2x2=2x2 for m=2 — option (D).
The concept first. The derivative is defined by
f′(x)=limy→0yf(x+y)−f(x)
So whenever a problem hands you a relation connecting f(x+y) and f(x), the strategy is always the same: isolate f(x+y)−f(x), divide by y, and take the limit. The answer must be a function of x alone — y is the vanishing increment, so any option still containing y (like (A) and (C)) cannot be a derivative at all.
Step 1 — Isolate the difference.
yf(x+y)+cos(mxy)=1+yf(x)
⇒yf(x+y)−yf(x)=1−cos(mxy)
⇒y[f(x+y)−f(x)]=1−cos(mxy)
Step 2 — Build the difference quotient. Divide both sides by y2 (valid for y=0):
yf(x+y)−f(x)=y21−cos(mxy)
Step 3 — Take the limit y→0.
Use the standard limit 1−cosθ=2sin2(2θ), so for small θ, 1−cosθ≈2θ2. With θ=mxy: …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-AN1 markMCQQ.If x=sin2θcos3θ, y=sin3θcos2θ, then dxdy= (A) 2cos5θ−cos3θcos2θ2cos5θ+sin3θsin2θ (B) 2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ (C) 2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ (D) 2cos5θ−cos3θcos2θ2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ
›Reveal solutionSolution
dxdy=2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ.
Differentiate each with respect to θ:
dθdx=2cos2θcos3θ−3sin2θsin3θ,
dθdy=3cos3θcos2θ−2sin3θsin2θ.
Using cos5θ=cos2θcos3θ−sin2θsin3θ, write each derivative around cos5θ:
dθdx=2(cos2θcos3θ−sin2θsin3θ)−sin3θsin2θ=2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ, …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=sin2θcos3θ, y=sin3θcos2θ, then dxdy= (A) 2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ (B) 2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ2cos5θ+sin3θsin2θ (C) 2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ (D) 2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ2cos5θ−cos3θcos2θ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Parametric differentiation gives dxdy=2cos5θ−sin3θsin2θ2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ. Option (A).
Solution
With x=sin2θcos3θ and y=sin3θcos2θ, differentiate each by the product rule:
dθdx=2cos2θcos3θ−3sin2θsin3θ,dθdy=3cos3θcos2θ−2sin3θsin2θ.
Use cos5θ=cos(3θ+2θ)=cos3θcos2θ−sin3θsin2θ, i.e.
2cos5θ=2cos3θcos2θ−2sin3θsin2θ.
Numerator:
dθdy=(2cos3θcos2θ−2sin3θsin2θ)+cos3θcos2θ=2cos5θ+cos3θcos2θ.
Denominator: …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.The equation of the tangent to the curve y=πe−x/π at the point where it crosses Y-axis is (A) πx+2y=2π (B) 2x+πy=π2 (C) x−y+π=0 (D) x+y=π
›Reveal solutionSolution
To find the tangent's equation, first locate the point where the curve crosses the Y-axis, then calculate the curve's derivative at that point to get the tangent's slope. Finally, use the point-slope form. The equation of the tangent is x+y=π.
The equation of a straight line, such as a tangent, can be determined if we know two things: a point it passes through and its slope. For a tangent line to a curve, the point it passes through is the point of tangency on the curve itself. The slope of the tangent at that specific point is given by the value of the derivative of the curve's equation at that point.
Here's how we find the equation of the tangent:
-
Identify the point of tangency:
The problem states that the tangent is at the point where the curve y=πe−x/π crosses the Y-axis. A curve crosses the Y-axis when its x-coordinate is 0.
Substitute x=0 into the curve's equation:
y=πe−0/π
y=πe0
Since e0=1, we have:
y=π×1=π
So, the point of tangency is (0,π).
-
Calculate the slope of the tangent:
The slope of the tangent at any point (x,y) on the curve is given by the derivative dxdy.
The curve's equation is y=πe−x/π.
Differentiate y with respect to x using the chain rule: dxd(ef(x))=ef(x)⋅f′(x).
Here, f(x)=−πx, so f′(x)=−π1.
dxdy=π⋅dxd(e−x/π)
dxdy=π⋅e−x/π⋅(−π1)
dxdy=−e−x/π
Now, evaluate the derivative at the point of tangency, where x=0:
m=dxdyx=0=−e−0/π=−e0=−1
The slope of the tangent at (0,π) is −1. …
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- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-FN1 markMCQQ.If x2+xy+y2=k, then dx2d2y= (A) (x+2y)3−6k (B) (x+2y)2−6k (C) (2x+y)2x2+xy+y2 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Implicit differentiation twice gives dx2d2y=(x+2y)3−6k — option (A).
Step 1 — First derivative. Differentiate x2+xy+y2=k:
2x+y+xy′+2yy′=0⇒y′=−x+2y2x+y.
Step 2 — Second derivative. With y′=−vu where u=2x+y, v=x+2y (so u′=2+y′, v′=1+2y′):
y′′=−v2u′v−uv′.
Compute the numerator:
u′v−uv′=(2+y′)(x+2y)−(2x+y)(1+2y′)=3y−3xy′.
Substitute y′=−x+2y2x+y: …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.If x=cos3θ−sin3θ and y=3cosθ−3sinθ, then the value of dxdy at θ=4π is (A) 9232 (B) 332 (C) 9432 (D) 932
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate x and y separately with respect to the parameter θ and divide. At θ=π/4 this gives dxdy=94⋅2−2/3=9232 — option (A).
The concept first
When both coordinates are given through a parameter, x=x(θ) and y=y(θ), the chain rule gives
dxdy=dx/dθdy/dθ(provided dθdx=0).
Never try to eliminate θ here — with a cube and a cube root in the same problem that would be brutal. Just differentiate each expression in θ and take the quotient at the required value.
The symmetry sin4π=cos4π=21 makes the arithmetic collapse very neatly, so keep the powers of 2 in index form until the end.
Step-by-step
- Differentiate x=cos3θ−sin3θ:
dθdx=3cos2θ(−sinθ)−3sin2θ(cosθ)=−3sinθcosθ(cosθ+sinθ).
- Differentiate y=cos1/3θ−sin1/3θ:
dθdy=31cos−2/3θ(−sinθ)−31sin−2/3θ(cosθ)=−31(sinθcos−2/3θ+cosθsin−2/3θ).
- Put θ=4π, where sinθ=cosθ=2−1/2: dθdx=−3(21)(22)=−3⋅21⋅2=−232. …
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