Chapter 2: Derivatives
Implicit differentiation and inverse trigonometric functions
When a curve is described by an equation you cannot solve for y, you differentiate both sides as they stand and treat y as a function of x. The chain rule does the work, and the result is a formula for the slope in terms of both coordinates. The same method gives the derivatives of the inverse trigonometric functions, and of any inverse function at a point.
Practice questions
Every question below is original material written for Longhand. Open a solution to read the full working, or answer it yourself to have it counted towards your progress.
- Introductory1 mark · 2 min
When the equation is differentiated with respect to , the term becomes . Which rule produces the factor ?
Answer this question yourself - Introductory2 marks · 3 min
The point lies on the circle . Use implicit differentiation to find the slope of the tangent line there.
Answer this question yourself - Introductory2 marks · 3 min
Let . Find .
Answer this question yourself - Standard3 marks · 4 min
The point lies on the curve below. Find at that point.
Answer this question yourself - Standard2 marks · 3 min
Given , which expression is ?
Answer this question yourself - Standard3 marks · 5 min
The curve below passes through exactly one point with and . Find at that point.
Answer this question yourself - Standard3 marks · 4 min
Let . Find .
Answer this question yourself - Challenging4 marks · 6 min
Verify that the point lies on the curve below, then find the equation of the tangent line there.
Answer this question yourself - Challenging3 marks · 5 min
The function is one-to-one. Find .
Answer this question yourself - Capstone5 marks · 9 min
The curve has exactly two points at which its tangent line is horizontal. Find the distance between those two points.
Answer this question yourself
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