Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

BASIC CALCULUS (Quarter III, Weeks 7-8)

THE CHAIN RULE AND IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION
__________
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
At the end of the lesson, you shall be able to…
(a) illustrate the Chain Rule of differentiation;
(b) apply the Chain Rule;
(c) solve problems using the Chain Rule;
(d) illustrate implicit differentiation;
(e) differentiate functions (including logarithmic and inverse trigonometric) using implicit
differentiation;
(f) use implicit differentiation to solve problems; and
(g) solve situational problems involving related rates.
__________
EXPLORATION #1
Tell whether each item is correct or not. If not, explain why it is erroneous.
1. 𝐷𝑥 (3𝑥 + 2)2 = (2)(3𝑥 + 2)2−1 = 2(3𝑥 + 2) 𝑜𝑟 6𝑥 + 4
2. 𝐷𝑥 cos 2𝑥 = − sin 2𝑥
1 1
1 1
3. 𝐷𝑥 √3𝑥 = (2) (3𝑥)2−1 = (2) (3𝑥)− 2
4. 𝐷𝑥 𝑒 2𝑥 = 𝑒 2𝑥
__________
The Chain Rule (Composite Function Rule)
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 The notation , called Leibniz’s notation, means the
If 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)), then 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 . 𝑑𝑥
derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥. You may pronounce
it “dee y dee x”.
Proof:
Let ∆𝑥 = change in 𝑥; ∆𝑦 = change in 𝑦; ∆𝑢 = change in 𝑢 .
∆𝑦 ∆𝑦
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆𝑦 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑢 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑢
= ∙ → = ∙
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑢 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑢 ∆𝑥
When ∆𝑥 → 0
∆𝑦 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑢
lim = lim ( ∙ )
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑢 ∆𝑥

If 𝑢 is a differentiable function of 𝑥, then it follows that ∆𝑢 → 0 as ∆𝑥 → 0. So,

∆𝑦 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑢
lim = lim ∙ lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑢→0 ∆𝑢 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= ∙
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥
We can also write the rule as follows
𝐷𝑥 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓 ′ (𝑔(𝑥)) ∙ 𝑔′ (𝑥) .
In words, the Chain Rule states that the derivative of a composition of functions is equal to the
product of the derivative of the outer function and the derivative of the inner function.
1|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

Observe that the functions in Exploration are all composition of functions. That means we should
apply the Chain Rule if we want to differentiate each.
__________
For item #1, we may expand (3𝑥 + 2)2 and then apply the differentiation rules that we have
established during the previous weeks. We should compute
𝐷𝑥 (9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 4) = 18𝑥 + 12
Thus, 𝐷𝑥 (3𝑥 + 2)2 = 6𝑥 + 4 is incorrect.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
To compute 𝑑𝑥 using the Chain Rule, we let 𝑢 = 3𝑥 + 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑢2 . Correspondingly, 𝑑𝑥 = 3 and
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= 2𝑢. Finally, 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 = 3 ∙ 2𝑢 = 6𝑢 = 6(3𝑥 + 2) = 18𝑥 + 12.
𝑑𝑢
__________
Items 2, 3, and 4 are also incorrect.
To differentiate y = cos 2𝑥, we may try to transform it first into an equivalent expression where
the angle is not multiple. Or, we can just simply apply the Chain Rule. Letting 𝑢 = 2𝑥 and 𝑦 = cos 𝑢,
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
we get 𝑑𝑥 = 2 and 𝑑𝑢 = − sin 𝑢. Hence, 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 = −2 sin 𝑢 = −2 sin 2𝑥.
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑦 1
To differentiate 𝑦 = √3𝑥 using the Chain Rule, we let 𝑢 = 3𝑥 and 𝑦 = √𝑢. So, 𝑑𝑥 = 3 and 𝑑𝑢 = 2 𝑢.
√
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 3 3
We obtain 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 = 2 = 2√3𝑥 .
√𝑢
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑦
Lastly, to differentiate 𝑦 = 𝑒 2𝑥 , we let 𝑢 = 2𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑢 . We obtain 𝑑𝑥 = 2 and 𝑑𝑢 = 𝑒 𝑢 . Using
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
the Chain Rule, 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑒 𝑢 = 2𝑒 2𝑥 .
__________
Here are some other examples of functions differentiated using the Chain Rule.
3
1. 𝑦 = (𝑎2−𝑥 2 )2 , where 𝑎 is a real number.
We can write the equation as 𝑦 = 3(𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 )−2 . Then, we will let 𝑢 = 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 = 3𝑢−2.
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑦
We have 𝑑𝑥 = −2𝑥 and 𝑑𝑢 = −6𝑢−3. Applying the Chain Rule,
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 12𝑥
= ∙ = −2𝑥(−6𝑢) = 12𝑥𝑢−3 = 12𝑥(𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 )−3 = 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥 (𝑎 − 𝑥 2 )3

2. 𝑦 = cos 2 4𝑥
𝑑𝑢
Let 𝑢 = 4𝑥 and 𝑦 = cos 2 𝑢. For the first equation, = 4, but the second equation poses a
𝑑𝑥
problem since cos2 𝑢 is a composition of functions. Thus, we need to perform a separate
𝑑𝑦
differentiation using the Chain Rule to obtain 𝑑𝑢 . We will let 𝑣 = cos 𝑢 and 𝑦 = 𝑣 2 . That means
𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑦
= − sin 𝑢 and 𝑑𝑣 = 2𝑣. Using these, we obtain
𝑑𝑢

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑣
= ∙ = 2𝑣 ∙ (− sin 𝑢) = −2𝑣 sin 𝑢 = −2(cos 𝑢)(sin 𝑢)
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑢
Ultimately,
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= ∙ = (−2 cos 𝑢 sin 𝑢)(4) = −8 cos 4𝑥 sin 4𝑥.
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥

2|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

EXPLORATION # 2
For each item, do the following:

(a) Determine if the given equation is a function or not.

(b) Write the given equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), if possible.
(c) From (b), find the slope of the tangent line to the curve using the definition of the
𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥 )
derivative as slope of the tangent line: 𝑓 ′ (𝑥0 ) = lim 𝑥−𝑥 0 .
𝑥→𝑥0 0

1. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25 at 𝑥0 = 3 2. 𝑦 3 + 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦 = 0 at 𝑥0 =
3
2

This curve is known as the folium (or leaf) of Descartes.

𝜋
3. 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = 16 at 𝑥0 = 5 4. tan−1 𝑥 + tan−1 𝑦 = at 𝑥0 = 1
2

__________
Implicit Differentiation
EXPLICIT FUNCTION IMPLICIT FUNCTION
An explicit function is a function in which the In an implicit function, the dependent variable
dependent variable has been given “explicitly” in is not given “explicitly” in terms of the independent
terms of the independent variable. It is denoted by variable. It is denoted by 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0, where 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). Here are some examples: is a function that contains the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝑦 = 𝑒𝑥 + 1 Here are some examples:
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 − 1 = 0
𝑦 = cos 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 4 = 0
Clearly, the independent variable is on one side 𝑦3 + 𝑥2 − 6 = 0
and the dependent variable is on the other.

3|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

In our previous lessons, the dependent variable 𝑦 was always explicitly expressed in terms of the
𝑑𝑦
independent variable 𝑥. This made finding 𝑑𝑥 (the derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥) convenient in a
way. This time, we will deal with equations where 𝑦 is not directly expressed in terms of 𝑥. In some
𝑑𝑦
cases, we can find 𝑑𝑥 using a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), which the given equation implies. But in other cases, it
is quite difficult to express 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥, so we need to use a method called implicit differentiation.
__________
You may have observed that items 1-3 of Exploration are not functions, because each graph fails the
Vertical Line Test. The variable 𝑦 is not actually a function of 𝑥, but we can think of each graph as a
union of curves. With that idea in mind, we will select a curve that contains the indicated point to find
𝑑𝑦
the slope of the tangent line to the graph at the said point, or simply 𝑑𝑥 | .
(𝑥 ,𝑦)

In general, an equation may define many different functions implicitly. To illustrate, let us take the
first item of Exploration #2. The equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25 implies the following functions:

If we want to find the slope of the tangent line to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25 at the point (3,4), we could
evaluate the derivative of the function 𝑦 = √25 − 𝑥 2 at 𝑥 = 3. Moreover, if we want to find the slope of
the tangent line at the point (3, −4), we could use the derivative of 𝑦 = −√25 − 𝑥 2 .
__________
Let us try item 2. Unlike the equation in item 1, it is quite difficult to define 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥 using the
equation 𝑦 3 + 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦 = 0. Hence, we need to differentiate implicitly. By the way, given below are the
graphs of the two functions implicitly defined by 𝑦 3 + 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦 = 0.

We will go back to this item later.

4|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

How to Perform Implicit Differentiation

There are cases where defining a function implied by an equation seems hard or almost impossible.
But that does not automatically mean it is also impossible to find its derivative. Implicit differentiation
allows us to find its derivative without necessarily solving the function.

Differentiating quantities involving only the variable 𝑥 with respect to 𝑥 is not a problem. But if a
function 𝑦 is defined implicitly, then we need to apply the Chain Rule to find the derivative. In general,
if we have the expression 𝑓(𝑦), where 𝑦 is a function of 𝑥, then
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑𝑦
(𝑓(𝑦)) = (𝑓(𝑦)) ∙
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
The process of finding 𝑑𝑥 using implicit differentiation is described below.

PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY: IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION

To perform implicit differentiation on an equation that defines a function y implicitly in

terms of variable x, follow these steps:
1. Take the derivative of both sides of the equation. Keep in mind that y is a function of 𝑥.
𝑑𝑦
2. Rewrite the equation so that all terms containing are on the left-hand side and all
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
terms that do not contain 𝑑𝑥 are on the right-hand side.
𝑑𝑦
3. On the left-hand side, factor out 𝑑𝑥 .
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
4. Solve for 𝑑𝑥 by dividing both sides by the expression that is left after extracting 𝑑𝑥 .

__________
Some Solved Items
𝑑𝑦
1) Assume that 𝑦 is defined implicitly by the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25. Find 𝑑𝑥 .

Solution:
STEP 1. Differentiate both sides of the equation.
𝑑 2 𝑑
(𝑥 + 𝑦 2 ) = (25)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 2 𝑑 2
(𝑥 ) + (𝑦 ) = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 2. Keep the terms with 𝑑𝑥 on the left and move the other terms to the right.
𝑑𝑦
2𝑦 = −2𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 3. Factor out 𝑑𝑥 . It is not necessary in this case.

STEP 4. Divide both sides by 2𝑦.

𝑑𝑦 𝑥
=−
𝑑𝑥 𝑦

5|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

𝑑𝑦
2) Assume that 𝑦 is defined implicitly by the equation 𝑥 3 sin 𝑦 + 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 3. Find .
𝑑𝑥
Solution:
STEP 1. Differentiate both sides of the equation.
𝑑 3 𝑑
(𝑥 sin 𝑦 + 𝑦) = (4𝑥 + 3)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 3 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦) + (𝑦) = (4𝑥) + (3)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑𝑦
[ (𝑥 3 ) ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦 + (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦) ∙ 𝑥 3 ] + =4
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
3𝑥 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦 + 𝑥 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 + =4
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 2. Keep the terms with 𝑑𝑥 on the left and move the other terms to the right.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 + = 4 − 3𝑥 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 3. Factor out 𝑑𝑥 .
𝑑𝑦 3
( 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 + 1) = 4 − 3𝑥 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦
𝑑𝑥
STEP 4. Divide both sides by ( 𝑥 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 + 1).
𝑑𝑦 4 − 3𝑥 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑦
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 + 1
𝑑𝑦 4
3) Find 𝑑𝑥 for 𝑥 + 𝑦 3 = 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 .

Solution:
STEP 1. Differentiate both sides of the equation.
𝑑 𝑑 𝑥𝑦 4
(𝑥 + 𝑦 3 ) = (𝑒 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑 3 4 𝑑
(𝑥) + (𝑦 ) = 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 ∙ (𝑥𝑦 4 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦
1 + 3𝑦2 = 𝑒𝑥𝑦 (4𝑥𝑦3 + 𝑦4 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦 4
1 + 3𝑦 2 = 4𝑥𝑦 3 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 4 𝑒 𝑥𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 2. Keep the terms with 𝑑𝑥 on the left and move the other terms to the right.
𝑑𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦 4
3𝑦 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 3 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑦 4 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 − 1
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 3. Factor out 𝑑𝑥 .
𝑑𝑦 4 4
(3𝑦 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 3 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 ) = 𝑦 4 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 − 1
𝑑𝑥
4
STEP 4. Divide both sides by (3𝑦 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 3 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 ).
4
𝑑𝑦 𝑦 4 𝑒 𝑥𝑦
=
𝑑𝑥 3𝑦 2 − 4𝑥𝑦 3 𝑒 𝑥𝑦 4

6|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

Finding Tangent Lines Implicitly

Now that we have already seen how to perform implicit differentiation, we can already apply it in
finding equations of tangent lines to curves described by equations.
𝑑𝑦
Consider item 1 in Exploration #2. Aside from what we did earlier, we can also find 𝑑𝑥 using implicit
differentiation to make the process a lot easier.
𝑑 2 𝑑
(𝑥 + 𝑦 2 ) = (25)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 ( ) = 0
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑥
2𝑦 ( ) = −2𝑥 → =−
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑦
We compute the slope of the tangent line at the given point
𝑑𝑦
(denoted by 𝑑𝑥 | ) by substituting (3, −4) into the equation
(𝑥 ,𝑦)
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 3 3
= − 𝑦 . Therefore, 𝑑𝑥 | = − −4 = 4 .
𝑑𝑥 (3,−4)

Furthermore, using the point-slope formula for finding the

3 25
equation of a line, we get 𝑦 = 4 𝑥 − 4 .
__________
3 3
Now, let us try item 2. Let us find the equation of the line tangent to 𝑦 3 + 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦 = 0 at (2 , 2).
𝑑𝑦
First, we need to find 𝑑𝑥 by implicit differentiation.

𝑑 3 𝑑
(𝑦 + 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦) = (0)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
3𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 2 − (3𝑦 + 3𝑥 ) = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 3𝑦 − 3𝑥 2
=
𝑑𝑥 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑥
Next, we find the slope of the tangent line, by substituting
𝑑𝑦 3𝑦−3𝑥 2
(1.5, 1.5) into = 3𝑦 2−3𝑥 .
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 3(1.5) − 3(1.5)2 −1.5

| = = = −1
𝑑𝑥 (1.5 ,1.5) 3(1.5)2 − 3(1.5) 1.5
Finally, the equation of the line is 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 3.
__________
Item 3. To find the equation of the line tangent to the curve
𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = 16 at (5,3), we perform implicit differentiation.
𝑑 2 𝑑
(𝑥 − 𝑦 2 ) = (16)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 2 𝑑
(𝑥 ) − (𝑦 2 ) = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑥
2𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 0 → −2𝑦 = −2𝑥 → =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑦
𝑑𝑦 5 5 16
Finally, 𝑑𝑥 | = 3 ; the equation of the line is 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 − .
(5,3) 3

7|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

Derivatives of Transcendental Functions

Let 𝑢 be a differentiable function of 𝑥.

𝑑 𝑑𝑢 𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
• (𝑒 𝑢 ) = 𝑒 𝑢 • (cos−1 𝑢) = −
√1−𝑢2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑𝑢 𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
• (𝑏 𝑢 ) = 𝑏 𝑢 ∙ ln 𝑏 • (tan−1 𝑢) =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 1+𝑢2 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢 𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
• (ln 𝑢) = • (cot −1 𝑢) = −
𝑑𝑥 𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 1+𝑢2 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢 𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
• (log b 𝑢) = • (sec −1 𝑢) =
𝑑𝑥 𝑢 ln 𝑏 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑢√𝑢2 −1 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢 𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
• (sin−1 𝑢) =
√1−𝑢2 𝑑𝑥
• (csc −1 𝑢) = −
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑢√𝑢2 −1 𝑑𝑥

We will prove only two of the rules above. The rest are left for exploration.
𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
To prove that (ln 𝑢) = , we will first write 𝑦 = ln 𝑢 in its equivalent form, which is 𝑒 𝑦 = 𝑢.
𝑑𝑥 𝑢 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
Then, we will apply implicit differentiation to find .
𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑦 𝑑
𝑒 = 𝑢
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
𝑒𝑦 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑢
= 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑒 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑢
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑢 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 1 𝑑𝑢
Likewise, to prove that 𝑑𝑥 (sin−1 𝑢) = √1−𝑢2 𝑑𝑥 , we will express 𝑦 = sin−1 𝑢 as sin 𝑦 = 𝑢. Then, we
𝑑𝑦
will apply implicit differentiation to find 𝑑𝑥 .

𝑑 𝑑
sin 𝑦 = 𝑢
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
cos 𝑦 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑢
=
𝑑𝑥 cos 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
We studied in Precalculus that the identity sin2 𝑦 + cos2 𝑦 = 1 implies that cos 𝑦 = ±√1 − sin2 𝑦 .
𝜋 𝜋
We also studied that the range of 𝑦 = sin−1 𝑥 has been restricted to [− 2 , 2 ]. Consequently, cos 𝑦 > 0.
1
Hence, we choose only cos 𝑦 = +√1 − sin2 𝑦.Using these ideas, we transform cos 𝑦 .

𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑢
=
𝑑𝑥 √1 − sin2 𝑦 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑢
=
𝑑𝑥 √1 − 𝑢2 𝑑𝑥

8|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY: LOGARITHMIC DIFFERENTIATION

1. To differentiate 𝑦 = ℎ(𝑥) using logarithmic differentiation, take the natural logarithm of
both sides of the equation to obtain ln 𝑦 = ln(ℎ(𝑥)).
2. Use properties of logarithms to expand ln(ℎ(𝑥)) as much as possible.
1 𝑑𝑦
3. Differentiate both sides of the equation. On the left-hand side, we will have 𝑦 .
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
4. Multiply both sides of the equation by 𝑦 to solve for 𝑑𝑥 .
5. Replace 𝑦 with ℎ(𝑥).
__________
Some Solved Items
1. Find the derivative of the function 𝑦 = (𝑥 2 + 1)𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 .

Solution:

STEP 1: Take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation.

ln 𝑦 = ln[(𝑥 2 + 1)sin 𝑥 ]

STEP 2: Use properties of logarithms.

ln 𝑦 = (sin 𝑥) ln(𝑥 2 + 1)

STEP 3: Differentiate both sides with respect to 𝑥.

1 𝑑𝑦 𝑑
= [(sin 𝑥) ln(𝑥 2 + 1)]
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1 𝑑𝑦 1
= (sin 𝑥) 2 (2𝑥) + (cos 𝑥) ln(𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 +1
𝑑𝑦
STEP 4: Multiply both sides of the equation by 𝑦 to solve for 𝑑𝑥 .

𝑑𝑦 2𝑥 sin 𝑥
=𝑦 [ 2 + (cos 𝑥) ln(𝑥 2 + 1)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 +1
STEP 5: Replace 𝑦 with (𝑥 2 + 1)𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 .
𝑑𝑦 2𝑥 sin 𝑥
= (𝑥 2 + 1)sin 𝑥 [ 2 + (cos 𝑥) ln(𝑥 2 + 1)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 +1

𝑥√2𝑥+1
2. Find the derivative of 𝑦 = .
𝑒 𝑥 sin3 𝑥

Solution:

STEP 1: Take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation.

𝑥√2𝑥 + 1
ln 𝑦 = ln
𝑒 𝑥 sin3 𝑥
STEP 2: Use properties of logarithms.
1
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 + ln(2𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥 ln 𝑒 − 3 ln sin 𝑥
2
1
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑥 + ln(2𝑥 + 1) − 𝑥 − 3 ln sin 𝑥
2

9|Page
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

STEP 3: Differentiate both sides with respect to 𝑥.

1 𝑑𝑦 1 1 cos 𝑥
= + −1−3
𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 2𝑥 + 1 sin 𝑥
𝑑𝑦
STEP 4: Multiply both sides of the equation by 𝑦 to solve for 𝑑𝑥 .

𝑑𝑦 1 1
=𝑦 ( + − 1 − 3 cot 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 2𝑥 + 1
STEP 5: Replace 𝑦 with (𝑥 2 + 1)𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 .
𝑑𝑦 1 1
= (𝑥 2 + 1)𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 ( + − 3 cot 𝑥 − 1)
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 2𝑥 + 1
__________
This time, we will apply the derivative of arctan 𝑢. This is item #4 of Exploration #2.
𝜋
Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of tan−1 𝑥 + tan−1 𝑦 = 2 at the point (1 , 1).

𝑑 𝑑 𝜋
(tan−1 𝑥 + tan−1 𝒚) = ( )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑 𝑑
(tan−1 𝑥) + (tan−1 𝑦) = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1 1 𝑑𝑦
2
+ 2
=0
1+𝑥 1 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
1 𝑑𝑦 1
= −
1 + 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 1 + 𝑥2
𝑑𝑦 1 + 𝑦2
=−
𝑑𝑥 1 + 𝑥2
𝑑𝑦 1 + (1)2
| = −
𝑑𝑥 (1,1) 1 + (1)2
𝑑𝑦
| = −1
𝑑𝑥 (1,1)
Lastly, substitute it into the point-slope equation of the line to obtain the equation of the tangent
line. You should get 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2.

10 | P a g e
 Basic Calculus_Q3_W7,8

PRACTICE
dy
A. Use the Chain Rule to find dx in terms of x.
1
1. y = (u − 2)3 and u = 2𝑥+1

2. 𝑦 = √u and u = 5x 2 − 3
1 1
3. y = u+1 and u = x+1

4. y = (3x − 2)5 (2x 2 + 5)6

5. y = x√4 − x 2

B. For each item, do the following:

(a) Find functions implicitly defined by the equation.
(b) Sketch the graph of each function obtained in (a).
(c) Sketch the graph of the equation.
𝑑𝑦
(d) Find 𝑑𝑥 by implicitly differentiating the equation.
(e) Find the equation of the tangent line at the given value of x1 .

1. y 2 = 4x − 8 ; x1 = 3 2. y 2 − x 2 = 16 ; x1 = −3

dy
C. Find by implicit differentiation.
dx
1 1
1. +y=1 3. 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 = 0
x
4. 4𝑥 5 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑦 = 𝑦 2 + 5𝑥
2. 2𝑥 3 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 3 = 5

D. Find the derivative of the following.

1. y = x x 3. f(x) = 3sin x
2. y = (tan x)𝜋

__________
REFERENCES
1. Basic Calculus Learner’s Material and Teacher’s Guide for Senior High School, Commission on Higher Education in collaboration
with Philippine Normal University, 2016
2. Next Century Mathematics, Basic Calculus, Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. with Fernando B. Orines and Jesus P. Mercado, 2016
3. Handouts from Turo Guro 2019, Ateneo de Manila University Department of Mathematics & Ateneo SALT Institute, May 6 – 8
4. Presentation by ma’am Gervy Marie M. Angeles during the Summer Institute in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SINSM)
2019, University of the Philippines – Baguio, April 25 – 27
5. Differential and Integral Calculus, Feliciano and Uy
6. Anton, H. e. (2009). Calculus : Early Trancesdentals. USA: Anton Textbooks Inc. .
7. Leithold, L. (2013). The Calculus 7. Singapore: Pearson Education Asia Pte.Ltd.

11 | P a g e