Q.Integrate the function f′(ax+b)[f(ax+b)]n
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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 — the integrand is exactly the derivative of a composite function.
- Let u=f(ax+b). Then dxdu=f′(ax+b)⋅a, so f′(ax+b)dx=adu.
- The integral becomes ∫un⋅adu=a1∫undu. …
The key idea is to recognise the integrand as a perfect derivative via the chain rule: the derivative of a(n+1)[f(ax+b)]n+1 gives back the integrand. The final result is ∫f′(ax+b)[f(ax+b)]ndx=a(n+1)[f(ax+b)]n+1+C, provided n=−1.
When you see an integrand like f′(ax+b)[f(ax+b)]n, your first instinct should be: this is screaming for the chain rule in reverse. The chain rule tells us that if we differentiate a composite function F(g(x)), we get F′(g(x))⋅g′(x). Here, the "outer" function is something like un+1 (since the power n suggests we want to increase the exponent by 1), and the "inner" function is f(ax+b). The factor f′(ax+b) is exactly the derivative of the inner function, except for the constant a that comes from differentiating ax+b.
Let’s unpack that carefully.
-
Identify the inner function and its derivative.
Let u=f(ax+b). Then dxdu=f′(ax+b)⋅a (by the chain rule: derivative of f times derivative of ax+b, which is a). So du=a⋅f′(ax+b)dx, or equivalently f′(ax+b)dx=adu.
-
Rewrite the integral in terms of u.
The integrand f′(ax+b)[f(ax+b)]ndx becomes un⋅adu. That is:
∫f′(ax+b)[f(ax+b)]ndx=a1∫undu.
-
Integrate with respect to u.
The power rule for integration gives ∫undu=n+1un+1+C, provided n=−1. (If n=−1, the integral becomes ∫u1du=log∣u∣+C, a separate case.)
-
Substitute back.
Replace u with f(ax+b):
a1⋅n+1[f(ax+b)]n+1+C. …
Method: Reverse chain rule for ∫f′(ax+b)[f(ax+b)]ndx
Use this whenever a composite function is raised to a power and multiplied by (a piece of) its own derivative — recognise it as the derivative of a higher power.
Steps
Step 1: Substitute the inner function.
Let u=f(ax+b). By the chain rule du=af′(ax+b)dx, so f′(ax+b)dx=adu. The extra constant a comes from differentiating ax+b — this is the factor most often forgotten.
Step 2: Apply the power rule in u. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the factor a from ax+b.
Why it's wrong: dxdf(ax+b)=af′(ax+b), so f′(ax+b)dx=adu; missing the a leaves the answer off by a factor of a. Correct approach: include a1 in the antiderivative.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the n=−1 case. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 26 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x) is a differentiable function and y=ef(x)+ef(x)+ef(x)+…∞, then dxdy= (A) 1+yyf′(x) (B) y(1+y)f′(x) (C) y(1−y)f′(x) (D) 1−yyf′(x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The expression is an infinite nested exponent, so it satisfies y=ef(x)+y. Implicit differentiation gives dxdy=1−yyf′(x).
Setting up the self-similar equation. The right-hand side is an infinitely nested tower y=ef(x)+ef(x)+⋯. Because the exponent contains an exact copy of the whole expression, the tower folds into itself:
y=ef(x)+y
Take logarithms:
logy=f(x)+y
Differentiate both sides with respect to x:
y1dxdy=f′(x)+dxdy
Collect the derivative terms:
y1dxdy−dxdy=f′(x)⟹dxdy(y1−y)=f′(x)
Solve for the derivative: …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If f:R−{0}→R is a differentiable function such that 31f(x)+3f(x1)=x−310, then f′(3)−f′(31)= (A) 512 (B) 980 (C) 3 (D) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
We differentiate the given functional equation with respect to x and then substitute x=3 to directly find the required expression. The value of f′(3)−f′(31) is 3.
The problem presents a functional equation involving f(x) and f(1/x), and asks for an expression involving their derivatives, f′(3) and f′(1/3). The most direct approach to solve such problems is to differentiate the given functional equation.
Here's why this approach works:
When you have an equation relating f(x) and f(1/x), differentiating it will introduce f′(x) and f′(1/x). The chain rule will be crucial for the term f(1/x). After differentiation, we will have a new equation involving derivatives. By carefully choosing a value for x (in this case, x=3), we can make the arguments of the derivatives match the terms we need to find.
Let's work through the steps.
- Write down the given functional equation: We are given the equation:
31f(x)+3f(x1)=x−310
This equation holds for all $x \in \mathbb{R}-\{0\}$.2. Differentiate both sides with respect to x:
Since the function f(x) is differentiable, we can differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x.
Recall the chain rule: dxdf(g(x))=f′(g(x))⋅g′(x).
Here, for the term f(1/x), g(x)=1/x, so g′(x)=−1/x2.
Differentiating the left side:dxd[31f(x)+3f(x1)]=31f′(x)+3f′(x1)⋅(−x21)
=31f′(x)−x23f′(x1)
Differentiating the right side:dxd[x−310]=1−0=1
Equating the derivatives of both sides, we get:31f′(x)−x23f′(x1)=1
This is a new functional equation involving the derivatives. … - TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=∑p=17p2sin−1(54sin(px)−53cos(px)) then the value of dxdf at x=1 is (Given that sin−1(sinx)=x) (A) 0 (B) 628 (C) 1140 (D) 784
›Reveal solutionSolution
The core idea is to simplify the argument of the inverse sine function using a trigonometric identity, which then allows us to use the given property sin−1(sinx)=x. After simplification, the function f(x) becomes a sum of linear terms, making its derivative straightforward to calculate. The final value of dxdf at x=1 is 784.
The problem asks for the derivative of a function f(x) at a specific point. The function f(x) involves a sum and an inverse trigonometric function whose argument is a linear combination of sin(px) and cos(px). The key to solving this problem lies in simplifying the argument of the sin−1 function.
Concept and Intuition
- Trigonometric Transformation: An expression of the form asinθ+bcosθ can always be rewritten as a single sine or cosine function. Specifically, we can write asinθ+bcosθ=Rsin(θ+α), where R=a2+b2, cosα=Ra, and sinα=Rb. This transformation is crucial because it allows us to simplify the argument of sin−1.
- Inverse Sine Property: The problem explicitly states that sin−1(sinx)=x. This is a very important piece of information. Normally, sin−1(sinx) equals x only for x∈[−2π,2π]. However, by providing this identity, the problem simplifies the situation, allowing us to directly replace sin−1(sin(expression)) with the expression itself, regardless of its range. This avoids complex principal value considerations.
- Differentiation of a Sum: The function f(x) is a sum of terms. The derivative of a sum is the sum of the derivatives, which simplifies the differentiation process.
Let's apply these concepts step-by-step.
- Simplify the argument of sin−1: The argument of the inverse sine function is 54sin(px)−53cos(px). This is in the form asinθ+bcosθ, where a=54, b=−53, and θ=px. First, calculate R=a2+b2:
R=(54)2+(−53)2=2516+259=2525=1=1
Now, we want to express the argument as $R \sin(\theta - \alpha)$. We need $\cos \alpha = \frac{a}{R} = \frac{4/5}{1} = \frac{4}{5}$ and $\sin \alpha = \frac{b}{R} = \frac{-3/5}{1} = -\frac{3}{5}$. Let $\alpha_0$ be an angle such that $\cos \alpha_0 = \frac{4}{5}$ and $\sin \alpha_0 = \frac{3}{5}$. (This $\alpha_0$ is a constant acute angle, specifically $\alpha_0 = \tan^{-1}(\frac{3}{4})$). Then, the expression becomes:1⋅(cosα0sin(px)−sinα0cos(px))
Using the trigonometric identity $\sin(A-B) = \sin A \cos B - \cos A \sin B$, with $A=px$ and $B=\alpha_0$:54sin(px)−53cos(px)=sin(px−α0)
So, the argument simplifies to $\sin(px - \alpha_0)$.2. Substitute the simplified argument back into f(x):
Now, f(x) can be written as:
f(x)=∑p=17p2sin−1(sin(px−α0))
- Apply the given identity sin−1(sinx)=x: …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=(1+x3)(1+x6)(1+x12)(1+x24), then f′(−1)= (A) 24 (B) 12 (C) 48 (D) 60
›Reveal solutionSolution
At x=−1 the factor (1+x3) vanishes, so only the term where it is differentiated survives: f′(−1)=24 — option (A).
For a product f=f1f2f3f4, the derivative is f′=f1′f2f3f4+f1f2′f3f4+⋯. Every term keeps three of the original factors undifferentiated.
1. Note the vanishing factor. At x=−1, 1+x3=1+(−1)3=0. Any product-rule term that still contains the factor (1+x3) is therefore 0. Only the single term in which (1+x3) is the one being differentiated can be non-zero.
2. Keep the surviving term. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.f(x) is a real valued bijective function and twice differentiable function. If g(x) is inverse of f(x) and f(0)=α, then g′′(α)= (A) [f′(0)]3f′′(0) (B) [f′(α)]3f′′(α) (C) [f′(α)]2f′′(0) (D) [f′(0)]2f′′(α)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The second derivative of the inverse function is found by differentiating the relation g′(f(x))=1/f′(x) using the chain rule, yielding g′′(α)=−f′′(0)/[f′(0)]3, which matches option (A).
We are given that f is bijective (so invertible), twice differentiable, and g is its inverse: g(f(x))=x and f(g(y))=y. The problem asks for g′′(α) where α=f(0). That means we evaluate the second derivative of the inverse at the point where the original function’s value is α — which corresponds to x=0 in the original function.
Concept & Intuition
The key idea: derivatives of inverse functions are linked by the reciprocal relation for the first derivative, but for the second derivative we must differentiate that relation carefully using the chain rule. The result expresses the curvature of the inverse in terms of the curvature of the original function at the corresponding point. A common mistake is to forget that when differentiating g′(f(x))=1/f′(x), the argument of g′ is f(x), so the chain rule brings in f′(x) again.
Let’s work it out step by step.
- Start with the fundamental inverse relation Since g is the inverse of f, we have for all x in the domain:
g(f(x))=x.
Differentiate both sides with respect to x. The left side uses the chain rule:
g′(f(x))⋅f′(x)=1.
Hence,
g′(f(x))=f′(x)1.(1)
This is the well-known formula for the derivative of an inverse.
- Differentiate again to get the second derivative Differentiate both sides of (1) with respect to x. The left side is a composition: g′(f(x)). Its derivative is
dxd[g′(f(x))]=g′′(f(x))⋅f′(x).
The right side is 1/f′(x), whose derivative is
dxd(f′(x)1)=−[f′(x)]2f′′(x).
Equating:
g′′(f(x))⋅f′(x)=−[f′(x)]2f′′(x).(2)
- Solve for g′′(f(x)) Divide both sides of (2) by f′(x) (which is nonzero because f is bijective and differentiable, so f′ cannot change sign and is never zero):
g′′(f(x))=−[f′(x)]3f′′(x).(3)
- Evaluate at the specific point We need g′′(α), and we know α=f(0). So set x=0 in (3):
g′′(f(0))=g′′(α)=−[f′(0)]3f′′(0).
The negative sign is important — it tells us that the curvature of the inverse has the opposite sign to the curvature of the original function at corresponding points.
- Match with the options The expression we obtained is −[f′(0)]3f′′(0). Looking at the choices: …
- 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 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 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=1+sin2xcos2x, then f(4π)−3f′(4π)= (A) 35 (B) 311 (C) 913 (D) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
f(4π)=31 and f′(4π)=−98, so f(4π)−3f′(4π)=31+924=3 — option (D).
Evaluate f(π/4). With f(x)=1+sin2xcos2x and cos24π=sin24π=21:
f(4π)=1+1/21/2=3/21/2=31.
Differentiate. With u=cos2x,v=1+sin2x (so u′=−sin2x,v′=sin2x):
f′(x)=v2u′v−uv′=(1+sin2x)2−sin2x(1+sin2x)−cos2xsin2x=(1+sin2x)2−sin2x(2)=(1+sin2x)2−2sin2x.
At x=4π: sin2x=1 and 1+sin24π=23, so …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If sinhx=512, then sinh3x+cosh3x= (A) 125 (B) 144 (C) 169 (D) 216
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to use the identity sinh3x+cosh3x=e3x, then find ex from sinhx=512 using coshx=1+sinh2x and ex=sinhx+coshx. The result is 125, so the correct option is (A).
The problem asks for sinh3x+cosh3x given sinhx=512. The direct approach would be to compute sinh3x and cosh3x using triple-angle formulas, but that’s messy. Instead, recall the elegant identity:
For any real x, sinhx+coshx=ex.
Similarly, sinh3x+cosh3x=e3x.
So the problem reduces to finding e3x from sinhx=512. That’s much simpler.
Step-by-step reasoning:
- Find coshx from sinhx. The fundamental identity for hyperbolic functions is:
cosh2x−sinh2x=1
Given sinhx=512, we have:
cosh2x=1+(512)2=1+25144=25169
Since coshx≥1 for all real x, we take the positive root:
coshx=25169=513
- Find ex using the sum identity. As noted:
ex=sinhx+coshx=512+513=525=5
So ex=5.
- Compute e3x.
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=logexe−xsinx and f′(x)=f(x)⋅g(x), then g′(e)= (A) e−2−csc2(e) (B) 2e2−csc2(e) (C) 2e−2−csc2(e) (D) 2e−2+csc2(e)
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use logarithmic differentiation to simplify f(x) into a sum of terms, which directly gives us g(x)=f(x)f′(x). Differentiating g(x) and substituting x=e then yields the result. The value of g′(e) is 2e−2−csc2(e).
The problem asks us to find g′(e) given a function f(x) and the relationship f′(x)=f(x)⋅g(x). The function f(x) is a product and quotient of several functions, making direct differentiation quite cumbersome.
The key insight here is to recognize that the expression g(x)=f(x)f′(x) is precisely the derivative of loge∣f(x)∣. This means we can use logarithmic differentiation to find g(x) efficiently. By taking the natural logarithm of f(x) first, we convert products and quotients into sums and differences, which are much simpler to differentiate.
Here's how we approach the problem:
-
Express g(x) using logarithmic differentiation:
Given f′(x)=f(x)⋅g(x), we can write g(x)=f(x)f′(x).
This expression is the result of differentiating logef(x) with respect to x.
So, our first step is to take the natural logarithm of f(x) and then differentiate it.
We have f(x)=logexe−xsinx.
Taking the natural logarithm on both sides:
logef(x)=loge(logexe−xsinx)
Using the properties of logarithms ($\log(AB/C) = \log A + \log B - \log C$):logef(x)=loge(e−x)+loge(sinx)−loge(logex)
Simplify the first term: $\log_e (e^{-x}) = -x$.logef(x)=−x+loge(sinx)−loge(logex)
- Differentiate to find g(x): Now, differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x:
dxd(logef(x))=dxd(−x)+dxd(loge(sinx))−dxd(loge(logex))
We know that $\frac{d}{dx} (\log_e f(x)) = \frac{f'(x)}{f(x)}$, which is $g(x)$. Differentiating each term on the right side: * $\frac{d}{dx} (-x) = -1$ * $\frac{d}{dx} (\log_e (\sin x)) = \frac{1}{\sin x} \cdot \cos x = \cot x$ * $\frac{d}{dx} (\log_e (\log_e x)) = \frac{1}{\log_e x} \cdot \frac{1}{x}$ (using the chain rule) Combining these, we get $g(x)$:g(x)=−1+cotx−xlogex1
- Differentiate g(x) to find g′(x): Now we need to find the derivative of g(x):
g′(x)=dxd(−1)+dxd(cotx)−dxd(xlogex1)
* $\frac{d}{dx} (-1) = 0$ * $\frac{d}{dx} (\cot x) = -\csc^2 x$ … -
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If c is the value lying in the interval (1,3) such that Lagrange's mean value theorem holds for f(x)=x3−2x2+x−1 on [1,3], then 9c2−12c= (A) 15 (B) 18 (C) 24 (D) 27
›Reveal solutionSolution
Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem guarantees a point c in (1,3) where the derivative equals the average rate of change. Solving f′(c)=3−1f(3)−f(1) gives 3c2−4c+1=6, so 9c2−12c=15. The answer is (A).
Concept & Intuition
Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem says: if a function is continuous on [a,b] and differentiable on (a,b), then there is some c in (a,b) where the instantaneous slope (the derivative) equals the average slope over the whole interval.
Here we are given f(x)=x3−2x2+x−1 on [1,3]. Instead of solving for c directly, we can find the combination 9c2−12c by manipulating the equation that c satisfies.
Step-by-step solution
- Compute the average rate of change
f(1)=13−2⋅12+1−1=1−2+1−1=−1
f(3)=27−2⋅9+3−1=27−18+3−1=11
The average slope is
3−1f(3)−f(1)=211−(−1)=212=6.
- Find the derivative
f′(x)=3x2−4x+1.
- Apply Lagrange’s theorem There exists c∈(1,3) such that
f′(c)=6⟹3c2−4c+1=6.
- Simplify the equation
3c2−4c+1−6=0⟹3c2−4c−5=0.
- Find the required expression We need 9c2−12c. Notice that
- 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:
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