Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Exercise | Boundless Maths
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Class 12 Maths Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Exercise Solutions

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Exercise

This page covers all 22 questions from the Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Exercise, solved step-by-step. Every exercise so far in this chapter (5.1–5.7) focused on one technique at a time — continuity in 5.1, the chain rule in 5.2, implicit differentiation in 5.3, and so on. The Miscellaneous Exercise is different by design: it drops that scaffolding and asks you to recognise which technique a question needs, on your own — and quite often, more than one technique in the same question.

That's exactly why this exercise matters so much for board prep. A question like Q11 needs logarithmic differentiation applied twice in one line; Q15 and Q22 need you to differentiate an implicit relation twice and then algebraically combine the results; Q16 mixes implicit differentiation with a trigonometric identity. Getting comfortable here means you're not just executing a memorised method — you're diagnosing the problem first, the way board papers actually test you.

Topics From This Chapter Applied Below
Continuity Chain Rule Implicit Differentiation Inverse Trig Derivatives Exponential & Log Derivatives Logarithmic Differentiation Parametric Forms Second Order Derivatives
22Questions
Medium–HardDifficulty Mix
2026-27CBSE Syllabus

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Exercise — All 22 Questions

1

Differentiate w.r.t. x: (3x^2-9x+5)^9

Chain RuleEasy +
Solution

u=3x^2-9x+5,\quad u'=6x-9

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=9u^8\cdot u'=9(6x-9)(3x^2-9x+5)^8

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=9(6x-9)(3x^2-9x+5)^8
2

Differentiate w.r.t. x: \sin^3x+\cos^6x

Chain RuleEasy +
Solution

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=3\sin^2x\cos x+6\cos^5x\cdot(-\sin x)=3\sin^2x\cos x-6\sin x\cos^5x

=3\sin x\cos x\,(\sin x-2\cos^4x)

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=3\sin x\cos x\,(\sin x-2\cos^4x)
3

Differentiate w.r.t. x: (5x)^{3\cos 2x}

Log. Diff.Medium +
Solution

Let y=(5x)^{3\cos 2x}. Taking log: \log y = 3\cos 2x\,\log(5x)

\dfrac{1}{y}\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-6\sin 2x\,\log(5x)+\dfrac{3\cos 2x}{x}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=(5x)^{3\cos 2x}\left[\dfrac{3\cos 2x}{x}-6\sin 2x\,\log(5x)\right]
4

Differentiate w.r.t. x: \sin^{-1}(x\sqrt{x}),\; 0\le x\le 1

Chain RuleEasy +
Solution

x\sqrt{x}=x^{3/2}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^3}}\cdot\dfrac{3}{2}x^{1/2}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{3\sqrt{x}}{2\sqrt{1-x^3}}
5

Differentiate w.r.t. x: \dfrac{\cos^{-1}\frac{x}{2}}{\sqrt{2x+7}},\; -2<x<2

Quotient RuleHard +
Solution

u=\cos^{-1}\dfrac{x}{2},\qquad v=(2x+7)^{1/2}

u'=\dfrac{-1/2}{\sqrt{1-x^2/4}}=\dfrac{-1}{\sqrt{4-x^2}},\qquad v'=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2x+7}}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{u'v-uv'}{v^2}=\dfrac{\dfrac{-\sqrt{2x+7}}{\sqrt{4-x^2}}-\dfrac{\cos^{-1}\frac{x}{2}}{\sqrt{2x+7}}}{2x+7}

Combine over the common denominator (2x+7)^{3/2}\sqrt{4-x^2}:

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{-\left[(2x+7)+\sqrt{4-x^2}\,\cos^{-1}\frac{x}{2}\right]}{(2x+7)^{3/2}\sqrt{4-x^2}}
6

Differentiate w.r.t. x: \cot^{-1}\left[\dfrac{\sqrt{1+\sin x}+\sqrt{1-\sin x}}{\sqrt{1+\sin x}-\sqrt{1-\sin x}}\right],\; 0<x<\dfrac{\pi}{2}

Trig SimplifyMedium +
Solution

1+\sin x=\left(\sin\tfrac{x}{2}+\cos\tfrac{x}{2}\right)^2,\qquad 1-\sin x=\left(\cos\tfrac{x}{2}-\sin\tfrac{x}{2}\right)^2

For 0<x<\tfrac{\pi}{2}: numerator =2\cos\tfrac{x}{2}, denominator =2\sin\tfrac{x}{2}

y=\cot^{-1}\left(\cot\tfrac{x}{2}\right)=\tfrac{x}{2}\;\Rightarrow\;\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{2}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{2}
7

Differentiate w.r.t. x: (\log x)^{\log x},\; x>1

Log. Diff.Medium +
Solution

Let y=(\log x)^{\log x}. Taking log: \log y=\log x\cdot\log(\log x)

\dfrac{1}{y}\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{x}\log(\log x)+\dfrac{1}{x}=\dfrac{1}{x}\big[1+\log(\log x)\big]

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{(\log x)^{\log x}}{x}\big[1+\log(\log x)\big]
8

Differentiate w.r.t. x: \cos(a\cos x+b\sin x), for constants a, b

Chain RuleEasy +
Solution

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=-\sin(a\cos x+b\sin x)\cdot(-a\sin x+b\cos x)

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=(a\sin x-b\cos x)\,\sin(a\cos x+b\sin x)
9

Differentiate w.r.t. x: (\sin x-\cos x)^{\sin x-\cos x},\; \dfrac{\pi}{4}<x<\dfrac{3\pi}{4}

Log. Diff.Medium +
Solution

Let t=\sin x-\cos x. \log y=t\log t

\dfrac{1}{y}\dfrac{dy}{dx}=(\cos x+\sin x)\big[1+\log t\big]

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=(\sin x-\cos x)^{\sin x-\cos x}(\sin x+\cos x)\big[1+\log(\sin x-\cos x)\big]
10

Differentiate w.r.t. x: x^x+x^a+a^x+a^a, for fixed a>0, x>0

Log. Diff.Medium +
Solution

\dfrac{d}{dx}(x^x)=x^x(1+\log x) (log differentiation)

\dfrac{d}{dx}(x^a)=ax^{a-1},\qquad \dfrac{d}{dx}(a^x)=a^x\log a,\qquad \dfrac{d}{dx}(a^a)=0

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=x^x(1+\log x)+ax^{a-1}+a^x\log a
11

Differentiate w.r.t. x: x^{x^2-3}+(x-3)^{x^2}, for x>3

Log. Diff.Hard +
Solution

u=x^{x^2-3}:\quad \log u=(x^2-3)\log x\;\Rightarrow\;u'=x^{x^2-3}\left[2x\log x+\dfrac{x^2-3}{x}\right]

v=(x-3)^{x^2}:\quad \log v=x^2\log(x-3)\;\Rightarrow\;v'=(x-3)^{x^2}\left[2x\log(x-3)+\dfrac{x^2}{x-3}\right]

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=x^{x^2-3}\left[2x\log x+\dfrac{x^2-3}{x}\right]+(x-3)^{x^2}\left[2x\log(x-3)+\dfrac{x^2}{x-3}\right]
12

Find \dfrac{dy}{dx} if y=12(1-\cos t),\; x=10(t-\sin t),\; -\dfrac{\pi}{2}<t<\dfrac{\pi}{2}

ParametricMedium +
Solution

\dfrac{dy}{dt}=12\sin t,\qquad \dfrac{dx}{dt}=10(1-\cos t)

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{12\sin t}{10(1-\cos t)}=\dfrac{6}{5}\cdot\dfrac{2\sin\frac{t}{2}\cos\frac{t}{2}}{2\sin^2\frac{t}{2}}=\dfrac{6}{5}\cot\dfrac{t}{2}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{6}{5}\cot\dfrac{t}{2}
13

Find \dfrac{dy}{dx} if y=\sin^{-1}x+\sin^{-1}\sqrt{1-x^2},\; 0<x<1

Chain RuleMedium +
Solution

\dfrac{d}{dx}\sin^{-1}x=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}

With u=\sqrt{1-x^2}: 1-u^2=x^2\;\Rightarrow\;\sqrt{1-u^2}=x (since 0<x<1); u'=\dfrac{-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}

\dfrac{d}{dx}\sin^{-1}u=\dfrac{1}{x}\cdot\dfrac{-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}=\dfrac{-1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}-\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}=0

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=0
14

If x\sqrt{1+y}+y\sqrt{1+x}=0, for -1<x<1, prove that \dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{-1}{(1+x)^2}

ImplicitHard +
Solution

Given: x\sqrt{1+y}+y\sqrt{1+x}=0  …(1)

Rearrange (1): x\sqrt{1+y}=-y\sqrt{1+x}

Square both sides: x^2(1+y)=y^2(1+x)

(x^2-y^2)+(x^2y-xy^2)=0\;\Rightarrow\;(x-y)(x+y)+xy(x-y)=0\;\Rightarrow\;(x-y)(x+y+xy)=0

Since x\ne y: x+y+xy=0\;\Rightarrow\;y=\dfrac{-x}{1+x}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{-(1+x)+x}{(1+x)^2}=\dfrac{-1}{(1+x)^2}

Proved: \dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{-1}{(1+x)^2}
15

If (x-a)^2+(y-b)^2=c^2, for c>0, prove \dfrac{\left[1+(y')^2\right]^{3/2}}{y''} is constant, independent of a, b

Implicit + 2nd OrderHard +
Solution

Given: (x-a)^2+(y-b)^2=c^2  …(1)

Differentiate (1) w.r.t. x: 2(x-a)+2(y-b)y'=0\;\Rightarrow\;(x-a)=-(y-b)y'  …(2)

Differentiate (2) w.r.t. x (product rule on the right side): 1+(y')^2+(y-b)y''=0\;\Rightarrow\;(y-b)=\dfrac{-\big[1+(y')^2\big]}{y''}  …(3)

Square (2): (x-a)^2=(y-b)^2(y')^2

Substitute into (1): (y-b)^2(y')^2+(y-b)^2=c^2\;\Rightarrow\;(y-b)^2\big[1+(y')^2\big]=c^2  …(4)

Square (3): (y-b)^2=\dfrac{\big[1+(y')^2\big]^2}{(y'')^2}

Substitute into (4): \dfrac{\big[1+(y')^2\big]^2}{(y'')^2}\big[1+(y')^2\big]=c^2\;\Rightarrow\;\big[1+(y')^2\big]^3=c^2(y'')^2

Proved: \dfrac{\big[1+(y')^2\big]^{3/2}}{y''}=\pm c — depends only on c, not on a or b.
16

If \cos y=x\cos(a+y), \cos a\ne\pm1, prove \dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{\cos^2(a+y)}{\sin a}

ImplicitHard +
Solution

Given: \cos y=x\cos(a+y)  …(1)

From (1): x=\dfrac{\cos y}{\cos(a+y)}  …(2)

Differentiate (1) implicitly (product rule on the right side): -\sin y\cdot y'=\cos(a+y)-x\sin(a+y)\cdot y'

y'\big[x\sin(a+y)-\sin y\big]=\cos(a+y)

Substitute (2): x\sin(a+y)-\sin y=\dfrac{\cos y\sin(a+y)-\sin y\cos(a+y)}{\cos(a+y)}=\dfrac{\sin a}{\cos(a+y)}

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{\cos(a+y)}{\sin a/\cos(a+y)}=\dfrac{\cos^2(a+y)}{\sin a}

Proved: \dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{\cos^2(a+y)}{\sin a}
17

If x=a(\cos t+t\sin t), y=a(\sin t-t\cos t), find \dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2}

Parametric + 2nd OrderHard +
Solution

\dfrac{dx}{dt}=a\big[-\sin t+\sin t+t\cos t\big]=at\cos t

\dfrac{dy}{dt}=a\big[\cos t-\cos t+t\sin t\big]=at\sin t

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\tan t

\dfrac{d}{dt}(\tan t)=\sec^2t\;\Rightarrow\;\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\dfrac{\sec^2t}{at\cos t}=\dfrac{1}{at\cos^3t}

\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2}=\dfrac{1}{at\cos^3 t}
18

If f(x)=|x|^3, show f''(x) exists for all real x, and find it

2nd OrderHard +
Solution

For x\ge0: f(x)=x^3\Rightarrow f'(x)=3x^2. For x<0: f(x)=-x^3\Rightarrow f'(x)=-3x^2

At x=0: f'(0)=\lim\limits_{h\to0}\dfrac{|h|^3}{h}=0 (both sides)  \Rightarrow\;f'(x)=3x|x|

Differentiate again: for x\ge0, f''(x)=6x; for x<0, f''(x)=-6x

At x=0: f''(0)=\lim\limits_{h\to0}\dfrac{3h|h|}{h}=0

f''(x)=6|x|, which exists at every real x, including x = 0.
19

Using \sin(A+B)=\sin A\cos B+\cos A\sin B and differentiation, obtain the sum formula for cosines

ApplicationMedium +
Solution

Differentiate both sides w.r.t. A (B constant): \dfrac{d}{dA}\sin(A+B)=\cos(A+B)

\dfrac{d}{dA}\big[\sin A\cos B+\cos A\sin B\big]=\cos A\cos B-\sin A\sin B

Result: \cos(A+B)=\cos A\cos B-\sin A\sin B
20

Does there exist a function continuous everywhere but not differentiable at exactly two points? Justify your answer.

TheoryMedium +
Solution

Yes: f(x)=|x|+|x-1| — continuous everywhere (sum of continuous functions).

x<0:\; f(x)=1-2x,\; f'=-2

0<x<1:\; f(x)=1,\; f'=0

x>1:\; f(x)=2x-1,\; f'=2

At x=0: LHD =-2, RHD =0 (differ). At x=1: LHD =0, RHD =2 (differ).

f(x)=|x|+|x-1| is continuous everywhere but not differentiable at exactly x=0 and x=1.
21

If y=\begin{vmatrix}f(x)&g(x)&h(x)\\ l&m&n\\ a&b&c\end{vmatrix}, prove \dfrac{dy}{dx}=\begin{vmatrix}f'(x)&g'(x)&h'(x)\\ l&m&n\\ a&b&c\end{vmatrix}

DeterminantsMedium +
Solution

Expand along the first row (l, m, n, a, b, c constant): y=f(x)(mc-nb)-g(x)(lc-na)+h(x)(lb-ma)

\dfrac{dy}{dx}=f'(x)(mc-nb)-g'(x)(lc-na)+h'(x)(lb-ma)

Proved — this is exactly the first-row expansion of the determinant with f'(x),g'(x),h'(x) in place of f(x),g(x),h(x).
22

If y=e^{a\cos^{-1}x},\; -1\le x\le 1, show (1-x^2)\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2}-x\dfrac{dy}{dx}-a^2y=0

2nd OrderHard +
Solution

Given: y=e^{a\cos^{-1}x}  …(1)

Differentiate (1): y'=e^{a\cos^{-1}x}\cdot a\cdot\dfrac{-1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}=\dfrac{-ay}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}  …(2)

Move the denominator of (2) to the left, then square both sides: \sqrt{1-x^2}\,y'=-ay\;\Rightarrow\;(1-x^2)(y')^2=a^2y^2  …(3)

Differentiate (3) w.r.t. x (product rule on the left side): -2x(y')^2+(1-x^2)\cdot2y'y''=2a^2yy'

Divide throughout by 2y': -xy'+(1-x^2)y''=a^2y

Proved: (1-x^2)\dfrac{d^2y}{dx^2}-x\dfrac{dy}{dx}-a^2y=0
🎉

Chapter 5 Complete!

You've worked through all 137 questions in Chapter 5, Continuity and Differentiability — the Continuity and Differentiability Miscellaneous Exercise included. Head back to the chapter overview for the formula cheat-sheet and common-mistakes list, or continue straight on to Chapter 6: Application of Derivatives, which builds directly on everything you've just practised.

Common Questions

FAQs — Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 5 Miscellaneous Exercise

How many questions are there in the Miscellaneous Exercise?

There are 22 questions, combining every technique from the chapter — chain rule, logarithmic differentiation, implicit differentiation, parametric forms and second order derivatives — plus a few proof and reasoning-based questions.

Is the Miscellaneous Exercise important for the board exam?

Yes — because it mixes techniques rather than testing one at a time, it's the closest practice to how board papers actually combine concepts, and several of its proof-style questions (like Q14, Q16 and Q22) are recurring patterns in CBSE papers.

Where can I find the official NCERT textbook for this exercise?

The Miscellaneous Exercise is from Chapter 5, Continuity and Differentiability, in the NCERT Class 12 Mathematics textbook (Part I), published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and prescribed by CBSE. You can download the official textbook PDF directly from ncert.nic.in, NCERT's official website — the solutions on this page follow the questions exactly as they appear there.

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