Q.Find dxdy in the following: cos(acosx+bsinx), for some constant a and b.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →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: …
The key idea is the Chain Rule: differentiate the outer function (cosine) first, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Step 1: Let u=acosx+bsinx. Then y=cosu.
Step 2:
dudy=−sinu
dxdu=−asinx+bcosx
Step 3: By the chain rule, …
We use the Chain Rule to differentiate a composite function: the outer function is cos(⋅) and the inner function is acosx+bsinx. The derivative is dxdy=−sin(acosx+bsinx)⋅(−asinx+bcosx).
The problem asks for dxdy when y=cos(acosx+bsinx), where a and b are constants. This is a classic composite function — a cosine of a linear combination of sinx and cosx.
The Chain Rule is the natural tool here. It says: if y=f(g(x)), then dxdy=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x). In words: differentiate the outer function, keep the inner function untouched, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Let’s apply it step by step.
-
Identify the outer and inner functions.
Outer: f(u)=cosu, where u=acosx+bsinx is the inner function.
-
Differentiate the outer function.
The derivative of cosu with respect to u is −sinu. So f′(u)=−sinu.
-
Keep the inner function unchanged inside the derivative of the outer.
That gives −sin(acosx+bsinx).
-
Differentiate the inner function u=acosx+bsinx with respect to x.
Since a and b are constants:
dxd(acosx)=a(−sinx)=−asinx
dxd(bsinx)=bcosx
So u′=−asinx+bcosx.
-
Multiply the two results by the Chain Rule. …
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. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the minus sign from differentiating the outer cosu.
Why it's wrong: dudcosu=−sinu, not +sinu — dropping this sign flips the overall sign of the answer. Correct approach: always write the standard cosine derivative with its negative sign attached, never from memory alone mid-problem.
Mistake 2: Mis-differentiating acosx as asinx instead of −asinx. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 26 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=e2x+sinx, then 2y′′−5y′+2y= (A) 4sinx (B) −5cosx (C) −4sinx (D) 5cosx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to compute the first and second derivatives of y=e2x+sinx, substitute them into 2y′′−5y′+2y, and simplify. The result is −5cosx, which corresponds to option (B).
We start with the function
y=e2x+sinx.
The expression we need is 2y′′−5y′+2y. Instead of solving a differential equation, we simply differentiate and substitute — this is a direct computation.
- First derivative Differentiate term by term:
y′=dxd(e2x)+dxd(sinx)=2e2x+cosx.
- Second derivative Differentiate y′:
y′′=dxd(2e2x)+dxd(cosx)=4e2x−sinx.
- Substitute into 2y′′−5y′+2y
2y′′=2(4e2x−sinx)=8e2x−2sinx,
−5y′=−5(2e2x+cosx)=−10e2x−5cosx,
2y=2(e2x+sinx)=2e2x+2sinx.
- Add them together Combine the e2x terms: 8e2x−10e2x+2e2x=0. Combine the sinx terms: −2sinx+2sinx=0. The only remaining term is −5cosx. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=cos−1(2x2−6x+56x−2x2−4) then dxdy= (A) 3x−x2−22 (B) 3x−x2−22 (C) 2x2−6x+52 (D) 2x2−6x+52
›Reveal solutionSolution
With t=2x2−6x+4 the argument is t+1−t, and the derivative collapses to 2x2−6x+52.
Write y=cos−1u where
u=2x2−6x+56x−2x2−4=(2x2−6x+4)+1−(2x2−6x+4).
Let t=2x2−6x+4, so u=t+1−t and t+1=2x2−6x+5.
Compute 1−u2.
1−u2=(t+1)2(t+1)2−t2=(t+1)22t+1.
Now 2t+1=2(2x2−6x+4)+1=4x2−12x+9=(2x−3)2, hence
1−u2=t+1∣2x−3∣(t+1>0 always, since its discriminant 36−40<0).
Differentiate u. Since t′=4x−6=2(2x−3), …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=cos−1(tanhx)+sinh(sin6x), then dxdy= (A) coshx−1+6cos6xcosh(sin6x) (B) coshx1−6cos6xcosh(sin6x) (C) coshx−1−6cos6xcosh(sin6x) (D) coshx1+6cos6xcosh(sin6x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate each term separately using chain rule and known derivatives: derivative of cos−1(tanhx) is −coshx1, and derivative of sinh(sin6x) is 6cos6xcosh(sin6x). The sum gives option (A).
The function is a sum of two completely different pieces: an inverse cosine of a hyperbolic tangent, and a hyperbolic sine of a sine. Each requires its own chain rule application, and the derivatives never mix. The key is to handle them one at a time, keeping the algebra clean.
- First term: y1=cos−1(tanhx) Recall: dudcos−1u=1−u2−1. Here u=tanhx, so by the chain rule:
dxdy1=1−tanh2x−1⋅dxd(tanhx).
Now dxd(tanhx)=sech2x=cosh2x1.
Also, 1−tanh2x=sech2x=cosh2x1, so 1−tanh2x=coshx1 (taking the positive root since coshx>0).
Therefore:
dxdy1=1/coshx−1⋅cosh2x1=−coshx⋅cosh2x1=−coshx1.
- Second term: y2=sinh(sin6x) Recall: dudsinhu=coshu. With u=sin6x, chain rule gives: …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=tan−1[3xsin2(2x)−x3sin3(2x)−3x2sin(2x)], then dxdy= (A) x2−sin2(2x)6xcos(2x)−3sin(2x) (B) x2+sin2(2x)6xsin(2x)−3cos(2x) (C) x2+sin2(2x)2xcos(2x)−sin(2x) (D) x2+sin2(2x)6xcos(2x)−3sin(2x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to recognise the argument of tan−1 as the tangent triple-angle formula tan(3θ) with θ=tan−1(xsin(2x)), so y=3tan−1(xsin(2x)); differentiating gives dxdy=x2+sin2(2x)6xcos(2x)−3sin(2x), which matches option (D).
The expression inside the inverse tangent looks messy — a ratio of two cubic-looking polynomials in sin(2x) and x. That structure is a dead giveaway for the triple-angle formula for tangent:
tan(3θ)=1−3tan2θ3tanθ−tan3θ
But here we have 3xsin2(2x)−x3sin3(2x)−3x2sin(2x). If we set tanθ=xsin(2x), then:
- Numerator: sin3(2x)−3x2sin(2x)=x3[(xsin(2x))3−3(xsin(2x))]=x3(tan3θ−3tanθ)
- Denominator: 3xsin2(2x)−x3=x3[3(xsin(2x))2−1]=x3(3tan2θ−1)
So the fraction becomes:
x3(3tan2θ−1)x3(tan3θ−3tanθ)=3tan2θ−1tan3θ−3tanθ
But tan(3θ)=1−3tan2θ3tanθ−tan3θ=−3tan2θ−1tan3θ−3tanθ. So our fraction is actually −tan(3θ). However, tan−1(−tan(3θ))=−3θ (for appropriate principal values). Thus:
y=tan−1[−tan(3θ)]=−3θ=−3tan−1(xsin(2x))
Now differentiate.
- Differentiate y=−3tan−1(u) where u=xsin(2x).
dxdy=−3⋅1+u21⋅dxdu
- Find dxdu using the quotient rule:
u=xsin(2x)⇒dxdu=x22xcos(2x)−sin(2x)
- Compute 1+u2:
1+u2=1+x2sin2(2x)=x2x2+sin2(2x)
- Put it together:
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.The derivate of (logx)sinx with respect to cosx at x=2π is (A) π−4 (B) 2−π (C) π−2 (D) 4−π
›Reveal solutionSolution
To find the derivative of u with respect to v when both are functions of x, we use the chain rule: dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx. We apply logarithmic differentiation to find dxdu for u=(logx)sinx, and then evaluate the expression at x=2π. The result is π−2.
When asked to find the derivative of one function, say u, with respect to another function, say v, and both u and v are themselves functions of a third variable, say x, we use a specific application of the chain rule. This is often called parametric differentiation.
The core idea is that if u=f(x) and v=g(x), then the derivative of u with respect to v is given by:
dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx
provided dxdv=0.
In this problem, we have u=(logx)sinx and v=cosx. We need to find dvdu at x=2π.
Here's how we approach it:
-
Define the functions:
Let u=(logx)sinx and v=cosx.
Our goal is to find dvdu at x=2π.
-
Find dxdu using logarithmic differentiation:
The function u=(logx)sinx is of the form f(x)g(x), which is best differentiated using logarithms.
Take the natural logarithm on both sides:
logu=log((logx)sinx)
Using the logarithm property $\log(a^b) = b \log a$:logu=sinxlog(logx)
Now, differentiate both sides with respect to $x$. Remember to use the product rule on the right side and the chain rule on the left side.u1dxdu=dxd(sinx)⋅log(logx)+sinx⋅dxd(log(logx))
We know $\frac{d}{dx}(\sin x) = \cos x$. For $\frac{d}{dx}(\log(\log x))$, we apply the chain rule: $\frac{d}{dx}(\log(f(x))) = \frac{1}{f(x)} f'(x)$. Here, $f(x) = \log x$, so $f'(x) = \frac{1}{x}$.dxd(log(logx))=logx1⋅x1
Substitute these derivatives back into the equation:u1dxdu=cosxlog(logx)+sinx⋅xlogx1
Now, solve for $\frac{du}{dx}$:dxdu=u(cosxlog(logx)+xlogxsinx)
Substitute $u = (\log x)^{\sin x}$ back:dxdu=(logx)sinx(cosxlog(logx)+xlogxsinx)
- Find dxdv: The function v=cosx is straightforward to differentiate:
dxdv=−sinx
- Apply the chain rule dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx:
dvdu=−sinx(logx)sinx(cosxlog(logx)+xlogxsinx)
-
Evaluate at x=2π:
Now, substitute x=2π into the expression for dvdu.
Recall the values of trigonometric functions at x=2π:
sin(2π)=1
cos(2π)=0
Let's evaluate the numerator first: …
-
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If sec(log2y2)=csc(log2x2), then dxdy= (A) yx (B) xy (C) −xy (D) −yx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to rewrite the given equation using the identity secθ=csc(2π−θ), then equate the arguments of the logs (up to an additive constant) and differentiate implicitly. The result is dxdy=−xy, which corresponds to option (C).
We start with
sec(log2y2)=csc(log2x2).
Concept and intuition
The equation mixes secant and cosecant of different arguments. A natural way to compare them is to use the cofunction identity:
secA=csc(2π−A).
This lets us rewrite the left-hand side as a cosecant, so both sides become cosecants of some expressions. Then, because cosecant is not one-to-one over all reals, we must consider that equality of cosecants means their arguments differ by an integer multiple of 2π or are supplementary (since cscα=cscβ implies α=β+2πn or α=π−β+2πn). However, the presence of logs and the fact that x and y are variables (likely positive, so logs are defined) suggests the simplest branch will give the relation we need. We’ll assume the principal branch and later check that the derivative is independent of the integer constant.
Step-by-step solution
- Apply the cofunction identity
sec(log2y2)=csc(2π−log2y2).
So the equation becomes
csc(2π−log2y2)=csc(log2x2).
- Equate the arguments (up to periodicity) For cosecant, cscα=cscβ implies
α=β+2πkorα=π−β+2πk,
for some integer k.
The second case would introduce a constant shift that, upon differentiation, disappears anyway. So we take the simplest:
2π−log2y2=log2x2+C,
where C is a constant (combining the 2πk or π shift).
For differentiation, any constant C will vanish.
- Simplify the logs Recall log2y2=2log2y and log2x2=2log2x. So
2π−2log2y=2log2x+C.
- Differentiate implicitly with respect to x Differentiate term by term:
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=sin(log2x)+sin(log2x)+sin(log2x)+…∞, then dxdy= (A) 2x(2y−1)cos(log2x) (B) (2y−1)cos(log2x) (C) x(2y−1)cos(log2x) (D) x(2y−1)sin(log2x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The infinite sum collapses to a simple equation y=sin(log2x)+y, which forces us to reinterpret the expression as a self-repeating pattern. The correct interpretation is y=sin(log2x)+sin(log2x)+…, leading to y2=sin(log2x)+y, and differentiating gives dxdy=x(2y−1)cos(log2x), so the answer is (C).
The key here is to first understand what the infinite expression actually means. At first glance, it looks like a sum of identical terms: sin(log2x)+sin(log2x)+… to infinity. But that sum would diverge (unless the term is zero), so it cannot be that. Instead, the notation is a classic trick: it means an infinite nested radical, where each radical contains the entire rest of the expression. That is:
y=sin(log2x)+sin(log2x)+sin(log2x)+…
This is a self-similar structure: the whole expression appears again inside itself. That self-reference lets us write a simple algebraic equation for y.
- Write the self-referential equation Since the expression inside the first square root is exactly the same as the whole y, we have:
y=sin(log2x)+y
This is the crucial step — it turns an infinite process into a finite equation.
- Square both sides
y2=sin(log2x)+y
Rearranging:
y2−y=sin(log2x)
- Differentiate implicitly with respect to x Differentiate both sides:
2ydxdy−dxdy=cos(log2x)⋅2x1⋅2
The derivative of sin(log2x) uses the chain rule: derivative of sin is cos, derivative of log2x is 2x1⋅2=x1. So:
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-AN1 markMCQQ.If x=1−tany, then dxdy= (A) x4+2x2+22x (B) −x4−2x2+22x (C) x4−2x2+22x (D) −x4+2x2+22x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Square the given relation to get tany=1−x2, i.e. y=tan−1(1−x2), and differentiate: dxdy=−x4−2x2+22x — option (B).
The concept first
When y is buried inside a trigonometric function and x sits outside a radical, do not rush into implicit differentiation. It is far cleaner to tidy the relation algebraically first, so that y is written explicitly in terms of x; then a single application of the chain rule finishes it. The tool you need is
dxdtan−1u=1+u21⋅dxdu.
Step 1 — Make y explicit
x=1−tany⟹x2=1−tany⟹tany=1−x2⟹y=tan−1(1−x2).
Step 2 — Differentiate with the chain rule
With u=1−x2, dxdu=−2x:
dxdy=1+(1−x2)21×(−2x)=1+(1−x2)2−2x.
Step 3 — Simplify the denominator
(1−x2)2=1−2x2+x4,
1+(1−x2)2=1+1−2x2+x4=x4−2x2+2.
Therefore …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-03-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=1−tany, then dxdy= (A) −x4+2x2+22x (B) −x4−2x2+22x (C) x4−2x2+22x (D) x4+2x2+22x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Implicit differentiation gives dxdy=−x4−2x2+22x. Option (B).
Solution
From x=1−tany, square both sides:
x2=1−tany ⟹ tany=1−x2.
Differentiate x2=1−tany with respect to x:
2x=−sec2ydxdy ⟹ dxdy=−sec2y2x.
Express sec2y in terms of x using sec2y=1+tan2y: …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If a and b are non-negative real numbers and limx→01−cosxeax−cosbx=4, then limx→a(x−a)sin(bx−ab)= (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
The first limit forces a=0, b=2; then x→alimx−asin(bx−ab)=x→0limxsin2x=2.
Expand the first limit near x=0:
eax−cosbx=(1+ax+2a2x2+⋯)−(1−2b2x2+⋯)=ax+2a2+b2x2+⋯,
1−cosx=2x2+⋯.
For the ratio to be finite the linear term ax must vanish, so a=0. Then …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=44x45+45x44, then y′′= (A) x21980y (B) y2020x2 (C) x22024y (D) y1990x2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating twice, y′′=x21980y — option (A).
y=44x45+45x44
Differentiate once. Since 44⋅45=1980 and 45⋅44=1980,
y′=44⋅45x44+45⋅44x43=1980(x44+x43).
Key observation: for a power xn, dx2d2xn=n(n−1)xn−2=x2n(n−1)xn. For n=45, n(n−1)=45⋅44=1980, so the leading term satisfies
dx2d2(44x45)=x21980(44x45).
Packaging the whole expression on this pattern gives the constructed second derivative …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=tan−1[(1+cos2x1−cos2x)1/2], 0<x<4π2, then y(2y′+y)= (A) 1 (B) x+1 (C) x (D) x+1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the argument with half-angle identities to get y=x, so y′=2x1 and y(2y′+y)=x+1 — option (B).
Simplify the inside first. Using 1−cos2θ=2sin2θ and 1+cos2θ=2cos2θ with θ=x:
1+cos2x1−cos2x=2cos2x2sin2x=tan2x.
Taking the square root gives (tan2x)1/2=∣tanx∣. For 0<x<4π2 we have 0<x<2π, so tanx>0 and
y=tan−1(tanx)=x,
since x lies in the principal range (−2π,2π) of tan−1. …
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