How do you differentiate y=cox(x)/sin(x)?

Since we have to differentiate a fraction, we must use the quotient rule. 

The quotient rule: If y = u/v, dy/dx = (vdu/dx - udv/dx)/v2

So we must work out each of the terms u, v, du/dx and dv/dx from the question:

u = cos(x), v = sin(x), du/dx = -sin(x) , dv/dx = cos(x)

Plugging these into the equation given by the quotient rule gives:

dy/dx = (sin(x)*-sin(x) - cox(x)*cos(x))/(sin(x))2

= -(sin(x)2 + cos(x)2)/(sin(x))2 

= -1/(sin(x))2 

Side note: this is equal to -(cosec(x))2 

The answer can also be obtained by rewriting the question as y = cos(x)*(sin(x))-1 and then using the product rule, with u = cos(x) and v = (sin(x))-1 . This is always possible - so if time allows, the question can be repeated using each method (the quotient rule and the product rule). If the same answer is obtained from each method, then you know it's right! 

RC

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Find the finite area enclosed between the curves y=x^2-5x+6 and y=4-x^2


How do you add or subtract complex numbers?


Find the x-values of the turning points on the graph, y=(3-x)(x^2-2)


Water is flowing into a rightcircular cone at the rate r (volume of water per unit time). The cone has radius a, altitude b and the vertex or "tip" is pointing downwards. Find the rate at which the surface is rising when the depth of the water is y.