SUCCESSIVE DIFFERENTIATION

[The process of differentiating a function successively is called

Successive Differentiation and the resulting derivatives are
known as successive derivatives.]
Commonly used notations for higher order derivatives of a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑦
1𝑠𝑡 Derivative: 𝑓 ′ (𝑥 ) or 𝑦 ′ or 𝑦1 or or 𝐷𝑦
𝑑𝑥
𝑑2 𝑦
2𝑛𝑑 Derivative: 𝑓 ′ ′(𝑥 ) or 𝑦 ′′ or 𝑦2 or or 𝐷2 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 2
⋮
𝑑𝑛 𝑦
𝑛𝑡ℎ Derivative: 𝑓 (𝑛) (𝑥) or 𝑦 (𝑛) or 𝑦𝑛 or or 𝐷 𝑛 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑛
Calculation of 𝒏𝒕𝒉 Derivatives
1. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 derivative of 𝐞𝒂𝒙
Let 𝑦 = e𝑎𝑥
Then 𝑦1 = 𝑎e𝑎𝑥
𝑦2 = 𝑎2 e𝑎𝑥
⋮
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑒 𝑎𝑥
2. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 derivative of (𝒂𝒙 + 𝐛)𝒎
Case1: when 𝒏 < 𝒎
Let 𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑚
Then 𝑦1 = 𝑚 𝑎(𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑚−1
𝑦2 = 𝑚(𝑚 − 1)𝑎2 (𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑚−2
⋮
𝑚!
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑚(𝑚 − 1) … (𝑚 − 𝑛 + 1)𝑎𝑛 (𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑚−𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 (𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑚−𝑛
(𝑚−𝑛)!
 Case2: when 𝒎 = 𝒏
𝑛!
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 (𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑛−𝑛 = 𝑛! 𝑎𝑛
(𝑛−𝑛)!

Case3: when 𝒏 > 𝒎

𝑦𝑛 = 0
Case4: when 𝒎 = −𝟏
𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 + b)−1
Then 𝑦1 = − 𝑎(𝑎𝑥 + b)−2
𝑦2 = 2 𝑎2 (𝑎𝑥 + b)−3
𝑦3 = −6 𝑎3 (𝑎𝑥 + b)−4
⋮
(−1)𝑛 𝑛!𝑎𝑛
𝑦𝑛 = (−1)𝑛 𝑛! 𝑎𝑛 (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)−𝑛−1 =
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛+1

3. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 Derivative of 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠(𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)

Let 𝑦 = log(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)
𝑎
Then 𝑦1 =
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)

𝑎2
𝑦2 = −
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)2
 2! 𝑎3
𝑦3 =
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)3

⋮
(𝑛−1)! 𝑎 𝑛
𝑦𝑛 = (−1)𝑛−1
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛

4. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 Derivative of 𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)

Let 𝑦 = sin(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)
Then 𝑦1 = 𝑎 cos(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)
𝜋
= 𝑎 sin (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

𝜋
𝑦2 = 𝑎2 cos (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

𝜋 𝜋
= 𝑎2 sin (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + + )
2 2

⋮
𝑛𝜋
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 sin (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

5. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 Derivative of 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)

𝑛𝜋
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 cos (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

By computing in similar manner as of result 4

6. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 Derivative of 𝒚 = 𝒆𝒂𝒙 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)

Let 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐)
Then 𝑦1 = 𝑎 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) + 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑏 cos(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐)
= 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 [𝑎 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) + 𝑏 cos(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐)]
= 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 [ 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) + 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 cos(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐)]
by putting 𝑎 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼, 𝑏 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
= 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑟 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝛼 )
Similarly, 𝑦2 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑟 2 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 2𝛼 )
⋮
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑟 𝑛 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛𝛼 )
𝑏
where 𝑟 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 and tanα =
𝑎
𝑛
𝑎𝑥 2 2 )2 𝑏
∴ 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑒 (𝑎 + 𝑏 sin (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
𝑎

7. 𝒏𝒕𝒉 Derivative of 𝒚 = 𝒆𝒂𝒙 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)

𝑛
𝑎𝑥 𝑛 𝑎𝑥 2 2 )2 𝑏
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑟 cos (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛𝛼 ) = 𝑒 (𝑎 + 𝑏 cos (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
𝑎

By computing in similar manner as of result 6

 Summary of Results

Function 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative

𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑒 𝑎𝑥

𝑚!
𝑎𝑛 (𝑎𝑥 + b)𝑚−𝑛 , 𝑚 > 0, 𝑚 > 𝑛
(𝑚 − 𝑛)!
𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)𝑚 0, 𝑚 >0, 𝑚 < 𝑛,
𝑦𝑛 = 𝑛
𝑛! 𝑎 , 𝑚= 𝑛
𝑛 𝑛
(−1) 𝑛! 𝑎
, 𝑚 = −1
{ (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)𝑛+1

(𝑛−1)! 𝑎𝑛
𝑦 = log(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) 𝑦𝑛 = (−1)𝑛−1
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛

𝑛𝜋
𝑦 = sin(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 sin (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

n𝜋
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 cos (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

𝑛 𝑏
𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 (𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 )2 sin (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
𝑎
𝑛
𝑏
y = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 cos(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 (𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 )2 cos (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
𝑎
 1
Example 1 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of
1−5𝑥+6𝑥 2
1
Solution: Let 𝑦 =
1−5𝑥+6𝑥 2

Resolving into partial fractions

1
𝑦= (1−3𝑥)(1−2𝑥)

3 2
= −
1−3𝑥 1−2𝑥

3(−1)𝑛 𝑛! (−3)𝑛 2(−1)𝑛 𝑛! (−2)𝑛

∴ 𝑦𝑛 = (1−3𝑥)𝑛+1
− (1−2𝑥)𝑛+1

(−1)𝑛 𝑛!𝑎𝑛
⸪ 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)−1 is given by
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛+1

3 𝑛+1 2 𝑛+1
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 = (−1 )𝑛+1 𝑛! [( ) −( ) ]
1−3𝑥 1−2𝑥

Example 2 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of sin6𝑥 cos4𝑥

Solution: Let y = sin6𝑥 cos4𝑥
1
= (sin 10𝑥 + sin 2𝑥 )
2
1 𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋
∴ 𝑦𝑛 = [10𝑛 sin (10𝑥 + ) + 2𝑛 sin (2𝑥 + )]
2 2 2
 𝑛𝜋
⸪ 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of sin(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) is given by 𝑎𝑛 sin (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

Example 3 Find 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝑥

Solution: Let y = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝑥
1 1
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 2𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠4𝑥 )𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥
4 8
1 1 1 1
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠4𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 − (𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝑥)
8 8 8 16
1
= (2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝑥 )
16
1 𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋
∴ 𝑦𝑛 = [2𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝑥 + ) − 5𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (5𝑥 + ) − 3𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (3𝑥 + )]
16 2 2 2

𝑛𝜋
⸪ 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of cos(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) is given by 𝑎𝑛 cos (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 + )
2

Example 4 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝑥

Solution: Let 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝑥 = (𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 )2
1 2 1
= ( . 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥) = (1 − cos 2𝑥 )2
2
2 4

1 1
= [1 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥 + . 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 2𝑥]
4 2
1 1
= [1 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥 + (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠4𝑥)]
4 2
3 1 1
= − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠4𝑥
8 2 8
 1 𝑛𝜋 1 𝑛𝜋
∴ 𝑦𝑛 = − 2𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (2𝑥 + ) + 4𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (4𝑥 + )
2 2 8 2

Example 5 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of 𝑒 3𝑥 cos𝑥 sin2 2𝑥

Solution: Let 𝑦 = 𝑒 3𝑥 cos𝑥 sin2 2𝑥
1 1
= 𝑒 3𝑥 cos𝑥. (1 – cos 4𝑥) ) ∵ sin2 2𝑥 = (1 – cos 4𝑥)
2 2
1 3𝑥 1 3𝑥 1
= 𝑒 (cos 𝑥 – cos 𝑥 cos 4𝑥) = 𝑒 (cos 𝑥 – 2 (cos 5𝑥 + cos 3𝑥)
2 2
1 3𝑥 1 1
⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑒 cos 𝑥 − 𝑒 3𝑥 cos 5𝑥 − 𝑒 3𝑥 cos 3𝑥
2 4 4
𝑛 𝑛
1 3𝑥 1 1 5
∴ 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑒 (9 + 1)2 cos (𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 ) − 𝑒 3𝑥 (9 + 25)2 cos (5𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
2 3 4 3
𝑛
1 3
− 𝑒 3𝑥 (9 + 9) cos (3𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
2
4 3
𝑛
𝑏
⸪ 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 cos(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) is given by 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 (𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 )2 cos (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
𝑎
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
1 3𝑥 1 1 3𝑥 5 1 3𝑥
= 𝑒 10 cos (𝑥 +
2 𝑛 tan−1 ) − 𝑒 34 cos (5𝑥 +
2 𝑛 tan−1 ) − 𝑒 18 cos(3𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 1)
2
2 3 4 3 4

Example 6 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of log(4𝑥 2 − 9)

Solution: Let 𝑦 = log(4𝑥 2 − 9) = log(2𝑥 + 3) + log(2𝑥 − 3)
1 1
𝑦𝑛 = (−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛 − 1)! 2𝑛 [ 𝑛 + ]
(2𝑥+3) (2𝑥−3)𝑛
 (𝑛−1)! 𝑎 𝑛
𝑡ℎ
⸪𝑛 derivative of log(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) is given by (−1)𝑛−1
(𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛
1
𝑛[ )𝑛
Example 7 If 𝑦 = sin 𝑎𝑥 + cos 𝑎𝑥 , prove that 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎 1 + (−1 sin 2𝑎𝑥 ] 2

𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋
Solution: We have 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 [sin (𝑎𝑥 + ) + cos (𝑎𝑥 + )]
2 2
1
𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋 2 2
= 𝑎𝑛 [{sin (𝑎𝑥 + ) + cos (𝑎𝑥 + )} ]
2 2

1
𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋 2
= 𝑎𝑛 [sin2 (𝑎𝑥 + ) + cos2 (𝑎𝑥 + ) + 2 sin (𝑎𝑥 + ) . cos (𝑎𝑥 + )]
2 2 2 2
1
𝑛[
= 𝑎 1 + sin(2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑛𝜋)] 2

1
= 𝑎𝑛 [1 + sin 2𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜋 + cos 2𝑎𝑥 sin 𝑛𝜋 ]2
1
𝑛[ )𝑛
= 𝑎 1 + (−1 sin 2𝑎𝑥 ] 2 ∵ cos 𝑛 𝜋 = (−1)𝑛 and sin 𝑛 𝜋 = 0
𝑥
Example 8 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of tan−1
𝑎
𝑥
Solution: Let 𝑦 = tan−1
𝑎
1 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 1 1 1 1 1
⇒ 𝑦1 = 𝑥2
= = 2 = (𝑥+𝑎𝑖)(𝑥−𝑎𝑖) = ( − ) = 2𝑖 ( 𝑥−𝑎𝑖 − )
𝑎(1+ 2 ) 𝑥 2 +𝑎2 𝑥 2 −(𝑎𝑖) 2𝑎𝑖 𝑥−𝑎𝑖 𝑥+𝑎𝑖 𝑥+𝑎𝑖
𝑎

1 (−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)! (−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)!

Differentiating (𝑛 − 1) times w.r.t. x, we get 𝑦𝑛 = [ − ]
2𝑖 (𝑥−𝑎𝑖)𝑛 (𝑥+𝑎𝑖)𝑛
 𝑡ℎ −1 (−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)! 𝑝𝑛−1
⸪ (𝑛 − 1) derivative of (𝑝𝑥 + 𝑞) is given by
(𝑝𝑥+𝑞)𝑛
𝑥
Substituting 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑎 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 such that 𝜃 = tan−1
𝑎

(−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)! 1 1
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 = [ − ]
2𝑖 𝑟 𝑛 (cos 𝜃−𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)𝑛 𝑟 𝑛 (cos 𝜃+𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)𝑛

(−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)!
= [(cos 𝜃 − 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)−𝑛 − (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)−𝑛 ]
2𝑖𝑟 𝑛

(−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)!
= [cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝜃 − cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝜃 ] , by De Moivre’s theorem
2𝑖𝑟 𝑛

(−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)!
= sin 𝑛𝜃
𝑟𝑛

(−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)!
= 𝑎 𝑛 sin 𝑛𝜃 ∵ 𝑎 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
(sin 𝜃)

(−1)𝑛−1 (𝑛−1)! 𝑎
= sin 𝑛𝜃 sin𝑛 𝜃 where 𝜃 = tan−1
𝑎𝑛 𝑥
1
Example 9 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of
1+𝑥+𝑥 2

1 1 −1+𝑖√3 −1−𝑖√3
Solution: Let 𝑦 = = (𝑥−𝜔)(𝑥−𝜔2 where 𝜔 = and 𝑤 2 =
1+𝑥+𝑥 2 ) 2 2

1 1 1
⇒ 𝑦= ( − )
𝜔−𝜔2 𝑥−𝜔 𝑥−𝜔2

1 1 1 −𝑖 1 1
= ( 𝑥−𝜔 − )= ( 𝑥−𝜔 − )
𝑖 √3 𝑥−𝜔2 √3 𝑥−𝜔2
 −𝑖 (−1)𝑛 𝑛! (−1)𝑛 𝑛! 𝑡ℎ −1 (−1)𝑛 𝑛!𝑎𝑛
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 = [ − ] ⸪𝑛 derivative of (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) is given by
√3 (𝑥−𝜔)𝑛+1 (𝑥−𝜔2 )𝑛+1 (𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛+1

−𝑖 (−1)𝑛 𝑛! 1 1
= [ 𝑛+1 − ]
√3 (𝑥−𝜔) (𝑥−𝜔2 )𝑛+1

𝑖 (−1)𝑛+1 𝑛! 1 1
= [ 𝑛+1 − 𝑛+1 ]
√3 1 𝑖 √3 1 𝑖 √3
(𝑥+2− 2 ) (𝑥+2+ 2 )

𝑖 (−1)𝑛+1 𝑛! 2𝑛+1 1 1
= [ 𝑛+1 − 𝑛+1 ]
√3 (2𝑥+1−𝑖√3) (2𝑥+1+𝑖√3)

𝑖 (−2)𝑛+1 𝑛!
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 = [(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )−(𝑛+1) − (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )−(𝑛+1) ]
√3 𝑟 𝑛+1

√3
by substituting 2𝑥 + 1 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, √3 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 such that 𝜃 = tan−1
2𝑥+1

𝑖 (−2)𝑛+1 𝑛!
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 = 𝑛+1 [𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑛 + 1)𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑛 + 1)𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝜃 ] , using De Moivre’s theorem
√3
√3 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)

𝑖 (−2)𝑛+1 𝑛!
= 𝑛+2 2𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛+1 𝜃
(√3)

(−2)𝑛+2 𝑛! √3
= 𝑛+2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛+1 𝜃 where 𝜃 = tan−1
√3 2𝑥+1
1.2 Leibnitz's Theorem
If 𝑢 and 𝑣 are functions of 𝑥 such that their 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivatives exist, then the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of their product is given by
(𝑢 𝑣)𝑛 = 𝑢𝑛 𝑣 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑢𝑛−1 𝑣1 + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑢𝑛−2 𝑣2 + ⋯ + 𝑛𝐶𝑟 𝑢𝑛−𝑟 𝑣𝑟 + ⋯ + 𝑢𝑣𝑛

where 𝑢𝑟 and 𝑣𝑟 represent 𝑟 𝑡ℎ derivatives of 𝑢 and 𝑣 respectively.

Remark: The term which vanishes after differentiating finitely should be taken as 𝑣.
Example10 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of 𝑥 log 𝑥

Solution: Let 𝑢 = log 𝑥 and 𝑣 = 𝑥

(𝑛−1)! (𝑛−2)!
Then 𝑢𝑛 = (−1)𝑛−1 and 𝑢𝑛−1 = (−1)𝑛−2
𝑥𝑛 𝑥 𝑛−1

(𝑛−1)! 𝑎𝑛
⸪ 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of log(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) is given by (−1)𝑛−1 (𝑎𝑥+𝑏)𝑛

Now, by Leibnitz’s theorem, we have

(𝑢 𝑣)𝑛 = 𝑢𝑛 𝑣 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑢𝑛−1 𝑣1 + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑢𝑛−2 𝑣2 + ⋯ + 𝑛𝐶𝑟 𝑢𝑛−𝑟 𝑣𝑟 + ⋯ + 𝑢𝑣𝑛

(𝑛−1)! (𝑛−2)!
⇒ (𝑥 log 𝑥 )𝑛 = (−1)𝑛−1 𝑥 + 𝑛(−1)𝑛−2 +0
𝑥𝑛 𝑥 𝑛−1

(𝑛−1)! (𝑛−2)!
= (−1)𝑛−1 + 𝑛(−1)𝑛−2
𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1

(𝑛−2)! (𝑛−2)!
= (−1)𝑛−2 [−(𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛] = (−1)𝑛−2
𝑥 𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1
Example 11 Find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ derivative of 𝑥 2 𝑒 3𝑥 sin 4𝑥
Solution: Let 𝑢 = 𝑒 3𝑥 sin 4𝑥 and 𝑣 = 𝑥 2
𝑛
4 4
Then 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑒 3𝑥 25 2 sin (4𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 ) = 𝑒 3𝑥 5𝑛 sin (4𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
3 3
𝑛
𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑥 ( 2 2 )2 𝑏
⸪𝑛 derivative of 𝑒 sin(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) is given by 𝑒 𝑎 +𝑏 sin (𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 + 𝑛 tan−1 )
𝑎

Now, by Leibnitz’s theorem, we have

(𝑢 𝑣)𝑛 = 𝑢𝑛 𝑣 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑢𝑛−1 𝑣1 + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑢𝑛−2 𝑣2 + ⋯ + 𝑛𝐶𝑟 𝑢𝑛−𝑟 𝑣𝑟 + ⋯ + 𝑢𝑣𝑛
4 4
⇒ (𝑥 2 𝑒 3𝑥 sin 4𝑥 )𝑛 = 𝑥 2 𝑒 3𝑥 5𝑛 sin (4𝑥 + 𝑛 tan−1 ) + 2𝑛𝑥𝑒 3𝑥 5𝑛−1 sin (4𝑥 + (𝑛 − 1) tan−1 ) +
3 3

4
𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑒 3𝑥 5𝑛−2 sin (4𝑥 + (𝑛 − 2) tan−1 ) + 0
3

2 −1 4 2𝑛𝑥 4
= 𝑒 3𝑥 5𝑛 [𝑥 sin (4𝑥 + 𝑛 tan 3) + sin (4𝑥 + (𝑛 − 1) tan−1 ) + 𝑛(𝑛−1) 4
sin (4𝑥 + (𝑛 − 2) tan−1 )]
5 3 25 3

Example 12 If 𝑦 = 𝑎 cos(log 𝑥) + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛(log 𝑥), show that

𝑥 2 𝑦𝑛+2 + (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝑦𝑛 = 0
Solution: Here 𝑦 = 𝑎 cos(log 𝑥) + 𝑏 sin(log 𝑥)
𝑎 𝑏
⇒ 𝑦1 = − sin(log 𝑥) + cos(log 𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥

⇒ 𝑥𝑦1 = − 𝑎 sin(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥 ) + 𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥)

Differentiating both sides w.r.t. 𝑥 , we get
 𝑎 −𝑏
𝑥𝑦2 + 𝑦1 = − cos(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥 ) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥

⇒ 𝑥 2 𝑦2 + 𝑥𝑦1 = − {𝑎cos(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥 ) + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥)}= −𝑦

⇒ 𝑥 2 𝑦2 + 𝑥𝑦1 + 𝑦 = 0
Using Leibnitz’s theorem, we get
(𝑦𝑛+2 𝑥 2 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑦𝑛 . 2) + (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛 . 1) + 𝑦𝑛 = 0

⇒ 𝑦𝑛+2 𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑛𝑥 + 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑦𝑛 + 𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝑦𝑛 + 𝑦𝑛 = 0

⇒ 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑛+2 + (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + (𝑛2 + 1)𝑦𝑛 = 0

Example 13 If 𝑦 = log(𝑥 + √1 + 𝑥 2 ), prove that (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 + (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + 𝑛2 𝑦𝑛 = 0

Solution: 𝑦 = log(𝑥 + √1 + 𝑥 2 )
1 1 1
⇒ 𝑦1 = (1 + 2𝑥) =
𝑥+√1+𝑥 2 2√1+𝑥 2 √1+𝑥 2

⇒ (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 = 1
Differentiating both sides w.r.t. 𝑥, we get
(1 + 𝑥 2 )2𝑦1 𝑦2 + 2𝑥𝑦1 2 = 0
⇒ (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑦2 + 𝑥𝑦1 = 0
Using Leibnitz’s theorem
[𝑦𝑛+2 (1 + 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑦𝑛 . 2] + (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛 . 1) = 0
 ⇒ 𝑦𝑛+2 (1 + 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑛𝑥 + 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑦𝑛 + 𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝑦𝑛 = 0
⇒ (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 + (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + 𝑛2 𝑦𝑛 = 0
Example14 If 𝑦 = sin(𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥 ), show that
(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 = (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + (𝑛2 − 𝑚2 )𝑦𝑛 . Also find 𝑦𝑛 (0)
Solution: Here 𝑦 = sin(𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥 ) …①
𝑚
⇒ 𝑦1 = cos(𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥 ) …②
√1−𝑥 2

⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 = m2 cos 2 (𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥)

⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 = m2 [1 − sin2 (𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥 )]
⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 =𝑚2 (1 − 𝑦 2 ) …③
⇒ (1- 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 + 𝑚2 𝑦 2 = 𝑚2
Differentiating w.r.t. 𝑥, we get
(1 − 𝑥 2 )2𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑦1 2 (−2𝑥 ) + 𝑚2 2𝑦𝑦1 = 0
⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦2 − 𝑥𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑦 = 0
Using Leibnitz’s theorem, we get

[𝑦𝑛+2 (1 − 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛+1 (−2𝑥) + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑦𝑛 (−2)] − (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛 1) + 𝑚2 𝑦𝑛 = 0

⇒ 𝑦𝑛+2 (1 − 𝑥 2 ) − 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑛𝑥 − 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑦𝑛 − (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝑦𝑛 ) + 𝑚2 𝑦𝑛 = 0

⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 = (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + (𝑛2 − 𝑚2 )𝑦𝑛 …④
 Putting 𝑥 = 0 in ①, ② and ③

𝑦(0) = 0, 𝑦1 (0) = 𝑚 and 𝑦2 (0) = 0

Putting 𝑥 = 0 in ④, we get
𝑦𝑛+2 (0) = (𝑛2 − 𝑚2 )𝑦𝑛 (0)
Putting 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … in the above equation, we get
𝑦3 (0) = (12 − 𝑚2 )𝑦1 (0) = (12 − 𝑚2 )𝑚 ∵ 𝑦1 (0) = 𝑚
𝑦4 (0) = (22 − 𝑚2 )𝑦2 (0) = 0 ∵ 𝑦2 (0) = 0
𝑦5 (0) = (32 − 𝑚2 )𝑦3 (0) = 𝑚(12 − 𝑚2 )(32 − 𝑚2 )
⋮
0, 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 (0) = {
𝑚(12 − 𝑚2 )(32 − 𝑚2 ) … [(𝑛 − 2)2 ) − 𝑚2 ] , 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
−1
Example 15 If 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑚𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 , show that
(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 − (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 − (𝑛2 + 𝑚2 )𝑦𝑛 = 0. Also find 𝑦𝑛 (0).
−1 𝑥
Solution: Here 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑚𝑠𝑖𝑛 …①
𝑚 −1 𝑥
⇒ 𝑦1 = e𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛
√1−𝑥 2
𝑚𝑦
= ……②
√1−𝑥 2

⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 =𝑚2 𝑦 2
 Differentiating above equation w.r.t. 𝑥 , we get
(1 − 𝑥 2 )2𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑦1 2 (−2𝑥 ) = 𝑚2 2𝑦𝑦1
⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦2 − 𝑥𝑦1 − 𝑚2 𝑦 = 0 ……③
Differentiating above equation 𝑛 times w.r.t. 𝑥 using Leibnitz’s theorem, we get

[𝑦𝑛+2 (1 − 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛+1 (−2𝑥) + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑦𝑛 (−2)] − (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛 1) − 𝑚2 𝑦𝑛 = 0

⇒ 𝑦𝑛+2 (1 − 𝑥 2 ) − 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑛𝑥 − 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑦𝑛 − (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝑦𝑛 ) − 𝑚2 𝑦𝑛 = 0

⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 − (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 − (𝑛2 + 𝑚2 )𝑦𝑛 = 0……④
To find 𝑦𝑛 (0): Putting𝑥 = 0 in ①, ②and ③
𝑦(0) = 1, 𝑦1 (0) = 𝑚 and 𝑦2 (0) = 𝑚2
Also putting 𝑥 = 0 in, we get
𝑦𝑛+2 (0) = (𝑛2 + 𝑚2 )𝑦𝑛 (0)
Putting 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … in the above equation, we get
𝑦3 (0) = (12 + 𝑚2 )𝑦1 (0) =(12 + 𝑚2 )𝑚 ∵ 𝑦1 (0) = 𝑚
𝑦4 (0) = (22 + 𝑚2 )𝑦2 (0) = 𝑚2 (22 + 𝑚2 ) ∵ 𝑦2 (0) = 𝑚2
𝑦5 (0) = (32 + 𝑚2 )𝑦3 (0)
= 𝑚(12 + 𝑚2 )(32 + 𝑚2 )
⋮
 𝑚2 (22 + 𝑚2 ) … [(𝑛 − 2)2 + 𝑚2 ] , 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 (0) = {
𝑚(12 + 𝑚2 )(32 + 𝑚2 ) … [(𝑛 − 2)2 + 𝑚2 ] , 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
Example 16 If 𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 , show that
(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 + 2(𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝑦𝑛 = 0 . Also find 𝑦𝑛 (0)
Solution: Here 𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 …①
1
⇒𝑦1 = …②
1+𝑥 2
−2𝑥
𝑦2 =
1+𝑥 2

⇒ (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑦2 + 2𝑥𝑦1 = 0 …③
Differentiating equation ③ 𝑛 times w.r.t. 𝑥 using Leibnitz’s theorem

[𝑦𝑛+2 (1 + 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛+1 (2𝑥) + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑦𝑛 (2)] + 2(𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛 1) = 0

⇒ 𝑦𝑛+2 (1 + 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑛𝑥 + 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑦𝑛 + 2(𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝑦𝑛 ) = 0

⇒ (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 + 2(𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 + 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝑦𝑛 = 0……④
To find 𝑦𝑛 (0): Putting 𝑥 = 0 in ①, ②and ③, we get
𝑦(0) = 0 , 𝑦1 (0) = 1 and 𝑦2 (0) = 0
Also putting 𝑥 = 0 in ④,we get
𝑦𝑛+2 (0) = −𝑛(𝑛 + 1)𝑦𝑛 (0)
 Putting 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … in the above equation, we get
𝑦3 (0) = −1(2)𝑦1 (0) = −2 ∵ 𝑦1 (0) = 1
𝑦4 (0) = −2(3)𝑦2 (0) = 0 ∵ 𝑦2 (0) = 0
𝑦5 (0) = −3(4)𝑦3 (0) = −3(4)(−2) = 4!
𝑦6 (0) = −4(5)𝑦4 (0) =0
𝑦7 (0) = −5(6)𝑦5 (0) = −5(6)4! = −(6!)
⋮
⇒ 𝑦2𝑛+1 (0) = (−1)𝑛 (2𝑛)! and 𝑦2𝑛 (0) = 0
Example17 If 𝑦 = (𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥)2 , show that
(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 − (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 − 𝑛2 𝑦𝑛 = 0. Also find 𝑦𝑛 (0)
Solution: Here 𝑦 = (𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥)2 …①
1
⇒𝑦1 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥. …②
√1−x2

Squaring both the sides, we get

(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 = 4 (𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥)2
⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦1 2 = 4 (𝑦)2
Differentiating the above equation w.r.t. 𝑥, we get
(1 − 𝑥 2 )2𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑦1 2 (−2𝑥 ) − 4𝑦1 = 0
 ⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦2 + 𝑦1 (−𝑥 ) − 2 = 0 …③
Differentiating the above equation 𝑛 times w.r.t. 𝑥 using Leibnitz’s theorem, we get

[𝑦𝑛+2 (1 − 𝑥 2 ) + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛+1 (−2𝑥) + 𝑛𝐶2 𝑦𝑛 (−2)] − (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝐶1 𝑦𝑛 1) = 0

⇒ 𝑦𝑛+2 (1 − 𝑥 2 ) − 𝑦𝑛+1 2𝑛𝑥 − 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑦𝑛 − (𝑦𝑛+1 𝑥 + 𝑛𝑦𝑛 ) = 0

⇒ (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦𝑛+2 − (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑦𝑛+1 − 𝑦𝑛 𝑛2 = 0 …④
To find 𝑦𝑛 (0): Putting 𝑥 = 0 in ①, ②and ③, we get

𝑦(0) = 0 , 𝑦1 (0) = 0 and 𝑦2 (0) = 2

Also putting 𝑥 = 0 in ④, we get
𝑦𝑛+2 (0) = 𝑛2 𝑦𝑛 (0)
Putting 𝑛 = 1,2,3 … in the above equation, we get
𝑦3 (0) = 12 𝑦1 (0) = 0 ∵ 𝑦1 (0) = 0
𝑦4 (0) = 22 𝑦2 = 22 2 ∵ 𝑦2 (0) = 2
𝑦5 (0) = 32 𝑦3 (0)= 0
𝑦6 (0) = 42 𝑦4 (0) = 42 22 2
⋮
0, 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
⇒ 𝑦𝑛 (0) = {
2. 22 . 42 … … … . (𝑛 − 2)2 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛