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MathsMediumClass 12

Derivatives of Standard Functions

Differentiation

2

JEE Qs

8%

Hard

60

min

Master these formulas by heart, paying close attention to signs and domain restrictions, as they are the fundamental building blocks for all differentiation problems.

🧮 Key Formulas

d/dx (c) = 0
d/dx (x^n) = n*x^(n-1)
d/dx (sin x) = cos x
d/dx (cos x) = -sin x
d/dx (tan x) = sec^2 x
d/dx (cot x) = -cosec^2 x
d/dx (sec x) = sec x tan x
d/dx (cosec x) = -cosec x cot x
d/dx (e^x) = e^x
d/dx (a^x) = a^x log_e a
d/dx (log_e x) = 1/x
d/dx (log_a x) = 1/(x log_e a)
d/dx (sin^-1 x) = 1/sqrt(1-x^2)
d/dx (cos^-1 x) = -1/sqrt(1-x^2)
d/dx (tan^-1 x) = 1/(1+x^2)
d/dx (cot^-1 x) = -1/(1+x^2)
d/dx (sec^-1 x) = 1/(|x|sqrt(x^2-1))
d/dx (cosec^-1 x) = -1/(|x|sqrt(x^2-1))

✅ Key Points for JEE

  • 1Memorize all standard derivative formulas thoroughly, as they are the foundational building blocks for all differentiation problems.
  • 2Pay close attention to the signs in the derivatives of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions (e.g., d/dx(cos x) is -sin x, d/dx(cot x) is -cosec^2 x).
  • 3Understand the domain restrictions for inverse trigonometric functions, especially for derivatives like sec^-1 x and cosec^-1 x.
  • 4The constant of differentiation is zero, so d/dx(c) = 0 is a fundamental rule.
  • 5Differentiating terms like x^n, e^x, and log x correctly forms the basis for logarithmic and exponential differentiation.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect signs for derivatives of co-functions (cos, cot, cosec) and their inverses.
  • Forgetting the log_e a factor when differentiating a^x or the 1/(log_e a) factor for log_a x.
  • Confusing the power rule (d/dx(x^n)) with the exponential rule (d/dx(a^x)).

NCERT Chapters

  • Class 12 Maths Ch 5: Continuity and Differentiability

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