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Derivative of Polynomials and Trigonometric Functions

Derivative of Polynomials and Trigonometric Functions

Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on Feb 14, 2025 07:09 PM IST

Differentiation is one of the important parts of Calculus, which applies in measuring the rate of change in the function at a certain point. Mathematically, it forms a powerful tool by which slopes of functions, the maximum and minimum of functions can be dertermined and problems on motion, growth, and decay can be solved and many more. These concepts of differentiation have been broadly applied in branches of mathematics, physics, engineering, economics, and biology.

This Story also Contains
  1. Derivative of a Function
  2. Derivative of the Trigonometric Functions
  3. Solved Examples Based On Derivatives:
Derivative of Polynomials and Trigonometric Functions
Derivative of Polynomials and Trigonometric Functions

In this article, we will cover the concept of Differentiation of Polynomial Functions. This concept falls under the broader category of Calculus, which is a crucial Chapter in class 12 Mathematics. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and more. Over the last five years of the JEE Main exam (from 2013 to 2023), a total of five questions have been asked on this concept, including three in 2020, and two in 2023.

Derivative of a Function

Let f be defined on an open interval IR containing the point x and suppose that limh0f(x+h)f(x)h exists. Then f is said to be differentiable at x and the derivative of f at x denoted by f(x), given by f(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)h

Derivative of a Polynomial Function

The derivates for all basic functions are,

1.ddx( constant )=0f(x)=c and f(x+h)=cf(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)h=limh0cch=limh00h=limh00=0

So the derivative of a constant function is zero. Also since a constant function is a horizontal line the slope of a constant function is 0.

2. ddx(xn)=nxn1

For f(x)=xn where n is a positive integer, we have

f(x)=limh0(x+h)nxnh
Since,

(x+h)n=xn+nxn1h+(n2)xn2h2+(n3)xn3h3++nxhn1+hn

we can write

(x+h)nxn=nxn1h+(n2)xn2h2+(n3)xn3h3++nxhn1+hn
Next, divide both sides by h:

(x+h)nxnh=nxn1h+(n2)xn2h2+(n3)xn3h3++nxhn1+hnh

Thus,

(x+h)nxnh=nxn1+(n2)xn2h+(n3)xn3h2++nxhn2+hn1
Finally,

f(x)=limh0(x+h)nxnh=limh0(nxn1+(n2)xn2h+(n3)xn3h2++nxhn1+hn)=nxn1

Derivative of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

3. ddx(ax)=axlogea

f(x)=ax and f(x+h)=ax+hf(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)h=limh0ax+haxh=axlimh0ah1h=axlogea[limx0ax1x=logea]

4. ddx(ex)=exlogee=ex

5. ddx(loge|x|)=1x,x0

f(x)=loge(x) and f(x+h)=loge(x+h)f(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)h=limh0loge(x+h)loge(x)h=limh0loge(x+hx)h=limh0loge(1+hx)hxx=1x[limx0loge(1+x)x=1]

6. ddx(loga|x|)=1xlogea,x0

Derivative of the Trigonometric Functions

The derivatives of the basic trigonometric functions are

Derivative of the Trigonometric Functions (sin/cos/tan)

1. ddx(sin(x))=cos(x)
f(x)=sin(x) and f(x+h)=sin(x+h)

f(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)h=limh0sin(x+h)sin(x)h=limh02sinh2cos(2x+h2)h=limh0sinh2h2limh0cos(2x+h2)=cosx[limx0sin(x)x=1]

Similarly,

2. ddx(cos(x))=sin(x)
3. ddx(tan(x))=sec2(x)

Derivative of the Trigonometric Functions (cot/sec/csc)

4. ddx(cot(x))=csc2(x)
5. ddx(sec(x))=sec(x)tan(x)
6. ddx(csc(x))=csc(x)cot(x)

Recommended Video Based on Derivatives


Solved Examples Based On Derivatives:

Example 1: If f(x)=tan1(secx+tanx),π2<x<π2, and f(0)=0, then f(1) is equal to: [JEE Main 2020]
1) π+14
2) π+24
3) 14
4) π14:

Solution:

f(x)=tan1(secx+tanx)=tan1(1+sinxcosx)tan1(1cos(π2+x)sin(π2+x))=tan1(2sin2(π4+x2)2sin(π4+x2)cos(π4+x2))=tan1(tan(π4+x2))=π4+x2(f(x))=π4+x2f(x)=π4x+x24+cf(0)=c=0f(x)=π4x+x24
So f(1)=π+14

Hence, the answer is the option 1.

Example 2: Let xk+yk=ak,(a,k>0) and dydx+[yx]13=0, then k is: [JEE Main 2020]
1) 13
2) 32
3) 23
4) 43

Solution:

xk+yk=ak(a,k>0)dydx+(yx)1/3=0kxk1+kyk1dydx=0

dydx+(xy)k1=0k1=1/3k=2/3

Hence, the answer is the option (3).

Example 3: Let y=y(x) be a function of x satisfying y1x2=kx1y2, where k is a constant and y(12)=14.dydx at x=12, is equal to:
[JEE Main 2020]
1) 52
2) 52
3) 54
4) 25

Solution:

Here,

x=1/2,y=1/4xy=1/8y1(2x)21x2+y1x2=[1(1y2)+x(2y)21y2y]xy1x2+y1x2=1y2+xyy1y2y(1x2xy1y2)=xy1x21y2 put x=1/2 and y=1/4 we get y=52

Hence, the answer is the option 1.

Example 4: Let

f(x)=k=110kxk,xR If 2f(2)f(2)=119(2)n+1

then n is equal to
[JEE Main 2023]
1) 10
2) -1
3) 2
4) 4

Solution:
f(x)=k=110kxkf(x)=x+2x2+3x3++9x9+10x10(i)xf(x)=x2+2x3++9x10+10x11 (ii) 

"(i) - (ii)"

f(x)(1x)=x+x2+x3++x1010x11f(x)(1x)=x(1x10)1x10x11f(x)=x(1x10)(1x)210x11(1x)
f(2)=2+g(2)11(1x)2f(x)=x(1x10)10x11(1x)

diff. w.r.t. x

(1x)2f(2)+f(2)2(1x)(1)=x(10x9)+(1x10)10x11(1)(1x)(110)x10

put x=2

f(2)+f(2)(2)=10(2)10+1210+10(2)11110(2)10+110(2)11=(121)210+(120)211+1=210(240121)+1=119(2)10+1n=10

Hence, the answer is 10.

Example 5: If f(x)=x2+g(1)x+g(2) and g(x)=f(1)x2+xf(x)+f(x), then the value of f(4)g(4) is equal to
[JEE Main 2023]
1) 14
2) -1
3) 2
4) 4

Solution:

 let g(1)=Ag(2)=Bf(x)=x2+Ax+Bf(1)=A+B+1f(x)=2x+Af(x)=2

g(x)=(A+B+1)x2+x(2x+A)+2g(x)=x2(A+B+2)+Ax+2g(x)=2x(A+B+2)+Ag(1)=A2( A+B+2)+A=A A+B=2
g(x)=2(A+B+2)g(2)=B2(A+B+2)=B2A+B=4
From (i) and (ii)

A=2 and B=0f(x)=x22xf(4)=168=8 g(x)=2x+2 g(4)=8+2=6f(4)g(4)=8(6)=14

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is derivative?

The rate of change of a quantity y concerning another quantity x is called the derivative or differential coefficient of y concerning x.

2. What is the derivative of a constant value?

The derivative of a constant value is 0.

3. What is the rule for the derivative of the exponential function?

The derivative of the exponential function is ddx(ax)=axlogea and ddx(ex)=exlogee=ex

4. What is the rule for the derivative of the logarithm function?

The derivative of the logarithm function is ddx(loge|x|)=1x,x0

5. What is the derivative of cosx ?

The derivative of ddx(cos(x))=sin(x)

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