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Last updated on October 17, 2025
We use the derivative of 5tan(x), which is 5sec²(x), as a measuring tool for how the function changes in response to a slight change in x. Derivatives help us calculate profit or loss in real-life situations. We will now talk about the derivative of 5tan(x) in detail.
We now understand the derivative of 5tanx. It is commonly represented as d/dx (5tanx) or (5tanx)', and its value is 5sec²x. The function 5tanx has a clearly defined derivative, indicating it is differentiable within its domain.
The key concepts are mentioned below:
Tangent Function: (tan(x) = sin(x)/cos(x)).
Quotient Rule: Rule for differentiating tan(x) (since it consists of sin(x)/cos(x)).
Secant Function: sec(x) = 1/cos(x).
The derivative of 5tanx can be denoted as d/dx (5tanx) or (5tanx)'.
The formula we use to differentiate 5tanx is: d/dx (5tanx) = 5sec²x (or) (5tanx)' = 5sec²x
The formula applies to all x where cos(x) ≠ 0.
We can derive the derivative of 5tanx using proofs. To show this, we will use the trigonometric identities along with the rules of differentiation.
There are several methods we use to prove this, such as:
We will now demonstrate that the differentiation of 5tanx results in 5sec²x using the above-mentioned methods:
The derivative of 5tanx can be proved using the First Principle, which expresses the derivative as the limit of the difference quotient. To find the derivative of 5tanx using the first principle, we will consider f(x) = 5tanx. Its derivative can be expressed as the following limit. f'(x) = limₕ→₀ [f(x + h) - f(x)] / h … (1) Given that f(x) = 5tanx, we write f(x + h) = 5tan(x + h). Substituting these into equation (1), f'(x) = limₕ→₀ [5tan(x + h) - 5tanx] / h = 5 limₕ→₀ [tan(x + h) - tanx] / h = 5 limₕ→₀ [[sin(x + h) / cos(x + h)] - [sinx / cosx]] / h = 5 limₕ→₀ [[sin(x + h)cosx - cos(x + h)sinx] / [cosx · cos(x + h)]] / h We now use the formula sinAcosB - cosAsinB = sin(A-B). f'(x) = 5 limₕ→₀ [sinh] / [h cosx · cos(x + h)] = 5 limₕ→₀ [sinh] / [h cosx · cos(x + h)] = 5 limₕ→₀ (sinh)/h · limₕ→₀ 1 / [cosx · cos(x + h)] Using limit formulas, limₕ→₀ (sinh)/h = 1. f'(x) = 5 [1 / (cosx · cos(x + 0))] = 5/cos²x As the reciprocal of cosine is secant, we have, f'(x) = 5sec²x. Hence, proved.
To prove the differentiation of 5tanx using the chain rule, We use the formula: Tanx = sinx/cosx Consider f(x) = sinx and g(x) = cosx So we get, tanx = f(x)/g(x) By quotient rule: d/dx [f(x) / g(x)] = [f'(x)g(x) - f(x)g'(x)] / [g(x)]² … (1) Let’s substitute f(x) = sinx and g(x) = cosx in equation (1), d/dx (tanx) = [(cosx)(cosx) - (sinx)(-sinx)] / (cosx)² (cos²x + sin²x) / cos²x …(2) Here, we use the formula: (cos²x) + (sin²x) = 1 (Pythagorean identity) Substituting this into (2), d/dx (tanx) = 1 / (cosx)² Since secx = 1/cosx, we write: d/dx(tanx) = sec²x Thus, d/dx (5tanx) = 5sec²x
We will now prove the derivative of 5tanx using the product rule. The step-by-step process is demonstrated below: Here, we use the formula, 5tanx = 5(sinx/cosx) 5tanx = 5(sinx)(cosx)⁻¹ Given that, u = sinx and v = (cosx)⁻¹ Using the product rule formula: d/dx [u.v] = u'.v + u.v' u' = d/dx (sinx) = cosx. (substitute u = sinx) Here we use the chain rule: v = (cosx)⁻¹ = (cosx)⁻¹ (substitute v = (cosx)⁻¹) v' = -1(cos)⁻² d/dx (cosx) v' = sinx / (cosx)² Again, use the product rule formula: d/dx (5tanx) = 5[u'.v + u.v'] Let’s substitute u = sinx, u' = cosx, v = (cosx)⁻¹, and v' = sinx / (cosx)² When we simplify each term: We get, d/dx (5tanx) = 5(1 + sin²x / (cosx)²) sin²x / (cosx)² = tan²x (we use the identity sin²x + cos²x = 1) Thus: d/dx (5tanx) = 5(1 + tan²x) Since, 1 + tan²x = sec²x d/dx (5tanx) = 5sec²x.
When a function is differentiated several times, the derivatives obtained are referred to as higher-order derivatives. Higher-order derivatives can be a little tricky. To understand them better, think of a car where the speed changes (first derivative) and the rate at which the speed changes (second derivative) also changes. Higher-order derivatives make it easier to understand functions like 5tan(x).
For the first derivative of a function, we write f′(x), which indicates how the function changes or its slope at a certain point. The second derivative is derived from the first derivative, which is denoted using f′′(x). Similarly, the third derivative, f′′′(x), is the result of the second derivative, and this pattern continues.
For the nth Derivative of 5tan(x), we generally use fⁿ(x) for the nth derivative of a function f(x), which tells us the change in the rate of change (continuing for higher-order derivatives).
When x is π/2, the derivative is undefined because tan(x) has a vertical asymptote there.
When x is 0, the derivative of 5tanx = 5sec²(0), which is 5.
Students frequently make mistakes when differentiating 5tanx. These mistakes can be resolved by understanding the proper solutions. Here are a few common mistakes and ways to solve them:
Calculate the derivative of (5tanx·sec²x)
Here, we have f(x) = 5tanx·sec²x. Using the product rule, f'(x) = u′v + uv′ In the given equation, u = 5tanx and v = sec²x. Let’s differentiate each term, u′= d/dx (5tanx) = 5sec²x v′= d/dx (sec²x) = 2sec²x tanx substituting into the given equation, f'(x) = (5sec²x).(sec²x) + (5tanx).(2sec²x tanx) Let’s simplify terms to get the final answer, f'(x) = 5sec⁴x + 10sec²x tan²x Thus, the derivative of the specified function is 5sec⁴x + 10sec²x tan²x.
We find the derivative of the given function by dividing the function into two parts.
The first step is finding its derivative and then combining them using the product rule to get the final result.
The XYZ Corporation built a ramp for loading goods. The slope is represented by the function y = 5tan(x) where y represents the elevation of the ramp at a distance x. If x = π/6 meters, measure the slope of the ramp.
We have y = 5tan(x) (slope of the ramp)...(1) Now, we will differentiate the equation (1) Take the derivative of 5tan(x): dy/dx = 5sec²(x) We know that sec²(x) = 1 + tan²(x) Given x = π/6 (substitute this into the derivative) 5sec²(π/6) = 5(1 + tan²(π/6)) 5sec²(π/6) = 5(1 + (1/√3)²) = 5(1 + 1/3) = 5(4/3) = 20/3 Hence, we get the slope of the ramp at a distance x = π/6 as 20/3.
We find the slope of the ramp at x = π/6 as 20/3, which means that at a given point, the height of the ramp would rise at a rate 20/3 times the horizontal distance.
Derive the second derivative of the function y = 5tan(x).
The first step is to find the first derivative, dy/dx = 5sec²(x)...(1) Now we will differentiate equation (1) to get the second derivative: d²y/dx² = d/dx [5sec²(x)] Here we use the product rule, d²y/dx² = 5[2sec(x).d/dx [sec(x)]] d²y/dx² = 5[2sec(x).[sec(x)tan(x)]] = 10sec²(x)tan(x) Therefore, the second derivative of the function y = 5tan(x) is 10sec²(x)tan(x).
We use the step-by-step process, where we start with the first derivative.
Using the product rule, we differentiate 5sec²(x).
We then substitute the identity and simplify the terms to find the final answer.
Prove: d/dx (5tan²(x)) = 10tan(x)sec²(x).
Let’s start using the chain rule: Consider y = 5tan²(x) = 5[tan(x)]² To differentiate, we use the chain rule: dy/dx = 5[2tan(x).d/dx [tan(x)]] Since the derivative of tan(x) is sec²(x), dy/dx = 5[2tan(x).sec²(x)] Substituting y = 5tan²(x), d/dx (5tan²(x)) = 10tan(x)sec²(x) Hence proved.
In this step-by-step process, we used the chain rule to differentiate the equation.
Then, we replace tan(x) with its derivative.
As a final step, we substitute y = 5tan²(x) to derive the equation.
Solve: d/dx (5tanx/x)
To differentiate the function, we use the quotient rule: d/dx (5tanx/x) = (d/dx (5tanx).x - 5tanx.d/dx(x))/x² We will substitute d/dx (5tanx) = 5sec²x and d/dx (x) = 1 = (5sec²x.x - 5tanx.1) / x² = (5x sec²x - 5tanx) / x² = 5(x sec²x - tanx) / x² Therefore, d/dx (5tanx/x) = 5(x sec²x - tanx) / x²
In this process, we differentiate the given function using the product rule and quotient rule.
As a final step, we simplify the equation to obtain the final result.
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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