Problem

Find dy/dx y=cos(x^2)

The given problem is asking for the derivative of the function y with respect to x, where y is expressed as the cosine of x squared. In other words, the question requires applying the chain rule of calculus to find the rate of change of the function y = cos(x^2) as x changes. The chain rule is a formula to compute the derivative of a composite function.

y=cos(x2)

Answer

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Solution:

Step 1:

Apply the derivative operator to both sides of the equation: ddxy=ddxcos(x2).

Step 2:

The derivative of y with respect to x is represented as dydx.

Step 3:

Compute the derivative of the right-hand side.

Step 3.1:

Invoke the chain rule for differentiation, which is given by ddx[f(g(x))]=f(g(x))g(x), with f(x)=cos(x) and g(x)=x2.

Step 3.1.1:

Introduce a substitution u=x2 and differentiate: ddu[cos(u)]ddx[x2].

Step 3.1.2:

The derivative of cos(u) with respect to u is sin(u): sin(u)ddx[x2].

Step 3.1.3:

Substitute back u=x2: sin(x2)ddx[x2].

Step 3.2:

Employ the power rule for differentiation.

Step 3.2.1:

Apply the power rule which states ddx[xn]=nxn1, where n=2: sin(x2)(2x).

Step 3.2.2:

Simplify the resulting expression.

Step 3.2.2.1:

Combine the constant factors: 2sin(x2)x.

Step 3.2.2.2:

Rearrange the terms to form the final expression: 2xsin(x2).

Step 4:

Construct the final equation by equating the left-hand side with the right-hand side: dydx=2xsin(x2).

Step 5:

Substitute dydx for y to complete the differentiation: dydx=2xsin(x2).

Knowledge Notes:

  1. Derivative: The derivative of a function measures how the function value changes as its input changes. The notation ddx is used to denote the derivative with respect to x.

  2. Chain Rule: A fundamental rule in calculus for finding the derivative of a composite function. It states that if y=f(g(x)), then the derivative of y with respect to x is f(g(x))g(x).

  3. Power Rule: A basic rule for differentiation which states that if y=xn, then the derivative of y with respect to x is dydx=nxn1.

  4. Trigonometric Functions: Functions like sin(x) and cos(x) have well-known derivatives, which are sin(x) and cos(x) respectively.

  5. Simplification: After applying the chain rule and power rule, it is often necessary to simplify the expression by combining like terms or constants to achieve the final derivative form.

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