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Mathematics — Class 12 — L27: Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions

NIOS Code 311 · Module 8 · Calculus

Notes extracted from NIOS Mathematics Course (311), Lesson 27 — Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions (ilovepdf_merged (6).pdf). Content covers sections 27.1–27.x.
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Overview — Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions (L27)

Derivatives of sin, cos, tan and related functions, combined with the chain rule for compositions like sin(ax+b).

d/dx sin x = cos x · d/dx cos x = −sin x · d/dx tan x = sec² x
x in radians
P tangent, slope f′(x)
Derivative as slope of the tangent

27.1 Standard list

  • (sin x)′ = cos x, (cos x)′ = −sin x.
  • (tan x)′ = sec² x, (cot x)′ = −csc² x.
  • (sec x)′ = sec x tan x, (csc x)′ = −csc x cot x.
d/dx sin(ax+b) = a cos(ax+b)
Chain rule factor a
x y O I (+,+) II (−,+) III (−,−) IV (+,−)
Coordinate axes and quadrants

27.2 Products and quotients

Differentiate products like x sin x using product rule; quotients like tan x / x using quotient rule. Simplify using identities only after differentiating if it helps.

Radians: These standard derivatives assume radian measure.

MCQ Quiz — L27 Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions

0 / 10 correct

Flashcards — L27

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Golden Rules — L27 Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions

Most exam-important points from this chapter:

Know the definitions of L27

Start every answer with the key definition or standard form from Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions.

Write the formula first

Copy the formula, then substitute values; never jump to the number alone.

Watch conditions

Check domain, quadrant, non-zero denominators, and applicability of the theorem.

Master result 1

Memorise and apply: sin 2

Master result 2

Memorise and apply: lim cos

(sin x)'=cos x
(cos x)'=−sin x
(tan x)'=sec² x
(sec x)'=sec x tan x
Chain with ax
Product+trig

1. Formulas & Definitions

Full Ch 27 — Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions study guide: definitions, derivations, why each formula works, history, deep understanding, pencil diagrams, step-by-step use, and 4-level solved examples.

d/dx sin x = cos x

Definition: Derivative of sine is cosine (radians).

Derivation

First principles using sin limits and angle formulas.

Variables

x in radians

Why it works

Slope of sin wave at each x is cos x.

Historical context

Foundational result of calculus.

Deep understanding

d/dx sin(ax)=a cos(ax) by chain rule.

2. Diagrams & Visuals

d/dx sin x = cos x sin → cos Radians Chain for sin(ax)

Pencil sketch · labelled · step-by-step breakdown below

  1. Confirm radians
  2. Apply (sin)'=cos
  3. Chain if argument not x
  4. Simplify

3. Solved Examples

Basic

Q: d/dx sin x

Solution: cos x

Answer: cos x

Intermediate

Q: d/dx sin 3x

Solution: 3 cos 3x

Answer: 3 cos 3x

Advanced

Q: d/dx sin²x

Solution: 2 sin x cos x = sin 2x

Answer: sin 2x

Exam

Q: d/dx cos x

Solution: −sin x

Answer: −sin x

d/dx tan x = sec² x

Definition: Derivative of tangent.

Derivation

Quotient: sin/cos → (cos·cos−sin(−sin))/cos² = 1/cos².

Variables

x ≠ π/2 + nπ

Why it works

Steepness of tan blows up at vertical asymptotes.

Historical context

Standard trig derivative set.

Deep understanding

Similarly (cot)'=−csc² x.

2. Diagrams & Visuals

d/dx tan x = sec² x (sin/cos)' sec² x Asymptotes

Pencil sketch · labelled · step-by-step breakdown below

  1. Write tan=sin/cos or memorise
  2. Differentiate
  3. Domain check
  4. Chain if tan(u)

3. Solved Examples

Basic

Q: d/dx tan x

Solution: sec² x

Answer: sec² x

Intermediate

Q: d/dx tan 2x

Solution: 2 sec² 2x

Answer: 2 sec² 2x

Advanced

Q: d/dx x tan x

Solution: tan x + x sec² x

Answer: tan x + x sec² x

Exam

Q: d/dx sec x

Solution: sec x tan x

Answer: sec x tan x

d/dx cos x = −sin x

Definition: Derivative of cosine.

Derivation

From first principles or (sin(x+π/2))'.

Variables

Radians

Why it works

Negative sign: cosine decreases where sine is positive (Q1).

Historical context

Companion to sine derivative.

Deep understanding

d/dx cos(ax)=−a sin(ax).

2. Diagrams & Visuals

d/dx cos x = −sin x cos → −sin Sign matters Chain for cos(u)

Pencil sketch · labelled · step-by-step breakdown below

  1. Apply −sin
  2. Include chain factor
  3. Simplify
  4. Check sign

3. Solved Examples

Basic

Q: d/dx cos x

Solution: −sin x

Answer: −sin x

Intermediate

Q: d/dx cos 5x

Solution: −5 sin 5x

Answer: −5 sin 5x

Advanced

Q: d/dx cos(x²)

Solution: −sin(x²)·2x

Answer: −2x sin(x²)

Exam

Q: d/dx sin x + d/dx cos x

Solution: cos x − sin x

Answer: cos x − sin x

5. Special Features & Extras

Complete study guide — exam tips, common mistakes, memory aids, and quick reference.

Exam Tips & Tricks

  • Memorise six derivatives with signs.
  • Always radians.
  • Combine product and chain freely.

Common Student Mistakes

  • Dropping minus on cos'
  • Forgetting chain factor a in sin(ax)
  • sec' as sec²

Memory Aids & Mnemonics

co-functions get minus: cos, cot, csc derivatives negative forms.
tan' = sec².

Which Formula When?

  • Pure trig → standard derivatives
  • Composite → chain
  • Product trig·alg → product rule

Quick reference box

• sin→cos · cos→−sin · tan→sec² · sec→sec tan

PYQ — Previous Year Questions

English questions from NIOS Mathematics (311) public / sample papers (Sample 2024, Apr 2024, Oct 2024, Apr 2025; board-style where scanned papers had no extractable text). Mapped exclusively to this chapter — no cross-chapter duplicates. Use Model Answer for the marking key and Explanation for working.

L27 — Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions

4 question(s) · Sources: Board-style, Board-style chain, Board-style product, Sample QP 2024

PYQ1. If sin y = x sin(a+y), find dy/dx (in terms of a and y).

1 mark(s) · SA · Sample QP 2024 · Q14

Model Answer

1)  dy/dx = sin a / sin²(a+y)

Explanation

1)  Differentiate: cos y · y′ = sin(a+y) + x cos(a+y)·y′. Also x=sin y / sin(a+y). Standard result: y′ = sin a / sin²(a+y).

PYQ2. Differentiate y = sin x + cos x.

1 mark(s) · SA · Board-style

Model Answer

1)  cos x − sin x

Explanation

1)  (sin)′=cos, (cos)′=−sin.

PYQ3. Find d/dx tan(3x).

1 mark(s) · SA · Board-style chain

Model Answer

1)  3 sec²(3x)

Explanation

1)  d/dx tan u = sec² u · u′ with u=3x ⇒ 3 sec²(3x).

PYQ4. Differentiate y = x cos x.

2 mark(s) · SA · Board-style product

Model Answer

1)  cos x − x sin x

Explanation

1)  Product rule: 1·cos x + x(−sin x).

Problem Solving — L27 Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions

10 English exam-style problems for this chapter (NIOS Mathematics 311). Each question states the formula, gives full step-by-step working with the final answer, plus formal/easy explanations. English only.

Question 1 of 10sin cos

Differentiate y = sin x + cos x.

(sin x)′=cos x

1)  y′ = cos x − sin x.

Answer:  cos x − sin x

Formula used

(sin x)′=cos x

Textbook formal language

Standard derivatives of sine and cosine.

Easy language (same calculation)

cos stays-ish for sin; cos becomes −sin.

Why this formula

Radians assumed.

Exam tip

Sign on −sin x.

Common mistakes

  • cos x + sin x
  • −cos x − sin x
Question 2 of 10tan

Find d/dx tan(3x).

(tan x)′=sec² x

1)  Chain rule: sec²(3x)·3 = 3 sec²(3x).

Answer:  3 sec²(3x)

Formula used

(tan x)′=sec² x

Textbook formal language

Derivative of tan u is sec² u · u′.

Easy language (same calculation)

sec² of inside times 3.

Why this formula

Defined where cos(3x)≠0.

Exam tip

Do not omit the 3.

Common mistakes

  • sec²(3x)
  • 3 sec(3x)
Question 3 of 10product

Differentiate y = x cos x.

Product rule + trig

1)  y′ = cos x + x(−sin x) = cos x − x sin x.

Answer:  cos x − x sin x

Formula used

Product rule + trig

Textbook formal language

Product of x and cos x.

Easy language (same calculation)

1·cos + x·(−sin).

Why this formula

Can write as cos x − x sin x.

Exam tip

Second term negative.

Common mistakes

  • cos x + x sin x
  • −x sin x only
Question 4 of 10chain sin

d/dx sin(2x+π/4).

d/dx sin(ax+b)=a cos(ax+b)

1)  2 cos(2x+π/4).

Answer:  2 cos(2x + π/4)

Formula used

d/dx sin(ax+b)=a cos(ax+b)

Textbook formal language

Chain rule on sine of a linear expression.

Easy language (same calculation)

Cos of the same angle times 2.

Why this formula

Keep the phase π/4.

Exam tip

Factor is 2 not 1.

Common mistakes

  • cos(2x+π/4)
  • 2 sin(2x+π/4)
Question 5 of 10sec

Differentiate sec x.

(sec x)′=sec x tan x

1)  d/dx sec x = sec x tan x.

Answer:  sec x tan x

Formula used

(sec x)′=sec x tan x

Textbook formal language

Standard derivative of secant.

Easy language (same calculation)

sec times tan.

Why this formula

Equivalently write 1/cos and quotient rule.

Exam tip

Not sec² x (that is tan).

Common mistakes

  • sec² x
  • tan x
Question 6 of 10value

If y=sin x, find dy/dx at x=π/3.

Evaluate derivative

1)  y′=cos x; cos(π/3)=1/2.

Answer:  1/2

Formula used

Evaluate derivative

Textbook formal language

Evaluate the derivative function at the given point.

Easy language (same calculation)

cos of 60° is 1/2.

Why this formula

Do not evaluate sin at π/3 for the derivative value.

Exam tip

π/3 not 3.

Common mistakes

  • √3/2
  • 0
Question 7 of 10sin

Differentiate y = sin 4x.

(sin x)′=cos x

1)  y′ = 4 cos 4x.

Answer:  4 cos 4x

Formula used

(sin x)′=cos x

Textbook formal language

Chain rule with argument 4x.

Easy language (same calculation)

cos of same angle times 4.

Why this formula

Radians assumed.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • cos 4x
  • 4 sin 4x
Question 8 of 10tan

Differentiate y = tan x − x.

(tan x)′=sec² x

1)  y′ = sec² x − 1.

Answer:  sec² x − 1

Formula used

(tan x)′=sec² x

Textbook formal language

Derivative of tan minus 1.

Easy language (same calculation)

sec² x − 1 = tan² x (optional identity).

Why this formula

Valid where cos x ≠ 0.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • sec x
  • tan x
Question 9 of 10Product trig

Differentiate y = x sin x.

Product rule

1)  y′ = sin x + x cos x.

Answer:  sin x + x cos x

Formula used

Product rule

Textbook formal language

Product of x and sin x.

Easy language (same calculation)

1·sin + x·cos.

Why this formula

Do not treat as chain only.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • x cos x only
  • cos x
Question 10 of 10Value

If y = cos x, find dy/dx at x = π/2.

Evaluate at a point

1)  y′ = −sin x; −sin(π/2) = −1.

Answer:  −1

Formula used

Evaluate at a point

Textbook formal language

Differentiate then substitute.

Easy language (same calculation)

cos becomes −sin; sin(π/2)=1.

Why this formula

Order: derivative first.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • 0
  • 1